4 hours on the creek. 2 successful UFO abductions
1 more of each, on the same baits, threw the hook before I could get them in, but I did get a good look at them. 1 more unidentified threw the hook too deep in the water to see.
The creek is still up 2-3 feet. I'm sure it was great for paddlers but it was not great for fishing. The last time I got out of a kayak when I wasn't planning too was in 2014 or 2015 with MelvinP. Today I swam twice. Lost 2 rods, a Daiwa Minispin with the Shimano Sedona, and Daiwa Minicast with that Bass Pro casting reel. The creek was moving pretty fast all the way, even in the pools. I got turned sideways and swept into an overhanging tree doing shit I know better than to do (maybe I'll tell that story sometime). Swatara has been very forgiving of me and I took it for granted. I went over, lost the spinning rod.
The minicast I lost below the dam right before the Duke St bridge in Hummelstown. I ran the chute to river right, got turned in the current and swept into some over hanging trees. They pulled the rod out of the holder. I tried to catch with the lure retriever on the paddle and missed. Probably a good thing as if it was still attached to the tree that might have been a second spill. But I got through that one without going over.
I was thinking I should start using rod leashes again. But on a day like today they would have been anchors when I got sept under a tree and meant more spills.
The second turtle happened in the new rapids between the railroad bridge and the pylons. I say new rapids because usually that is a get out and walk section. Got turned and slammed into a rock sideways. It was just big enough to turn me over. I almost lost my third rod but the rapala hooked on my bow rope and saved it.
Those water proof plano boxes are water proof and do float, even when full of wood, plastic, and metal
i was blessed I didn't lose my yak twice. When I got I shook myself off like a dog and said "Let's do that again!
Seriously though, a guy drowned just down stream of where I took out a few weeks ago. Wear your life vest, leave the booze at home and be safe.
Don't go through that.
This is why I prefer rod holders with covers, and also why I like ones with solid bottoms. The ones that have a plastic X at the bottom are what I put in the old red pelican kayak. If water gets over those they act as a funnel to the inside of the yak. At these just fill up themselves. If you order this yak from Vibe it comes, or used to come, with rod holders with a cap. Buy it at Dicks and you get the open top.
