Clements fishing Barge, Pool 9

Took a day off yesterday, to fish the barge with a few youngsters and another dad. After a 3 hr. drive, we arrived at the barge at 9 am, to find it almost full. We huddled into an empty corner at the northeast part of the barge,in a high current area, laden with Oreos, Fritos, Bugles, and all other kinds of stuff kids pack for these types of excursions…only the carrots and apples I brought were left at the end of the day. Anyway, after a bit of scouting, trying to come up with a gameplan as this was our first experience on the barge, and after seeing a few fat perch and small eyes caught, we rigged the boys with three-ways to drown minnows and crawlers. I spent the first couple hours pitching ringworms and paddletails, with no takers, and eventually went the same route. Pretty slow for us in the northeast corner of the barge with 5 dink sauger, two eaters, and zero perch.We found some room at the southwest corner in early afternoon, and moved our stuff to fish some calmer water, and managed to put 10 fat perch in the food cage, measuring 11 to 12.5 inches. Did see a couple BIG perch caught by others, guessing at 13.5 to 14 inches…looked unreal.
Nice thing about the barge is that the youngsters can get off to hike the shore, and while the boys explored for a couple hours in the afternoon, the dads sat comfortably soaking in the nice weather, eating up the kid’s stash of health food, and catching a few perch. On their return, we heard the stories about poking dead, stinky carp with a stick, slipping in the mud, accidentally stepping into the water, etc etc.
Not much action on the barge on this day. Saw a few stringers of 5 to 10 perch, a few eyes/sauger caught, got bit off after a few minutes battling a nice pike, but nevertheless,all-in-all, a definite must-do-again experience. Next time, though, would plan on an overnighter, as the trip home in the evening made for a tough drive, despite all the sugar intake of the day. all of us regreeted having to go home and were ready to do it again. The kids’ snoring after a KFC meal in LaCrosse helped keep us alert and also served as a reminder of why dads sacrifice such hardships…it’s not about the fish.

Sounds like a Kodak day to me

Water temp really dropped off the last 2 days that slowed the fishing down. But you’re right…..it’s not always all about the fishing.

Sounds like a good time.

Sounds like you all had a fun day fishing. What more could anyone ask for?

Nice job Z-man!

I always liked fishing off that barge.

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On their return, we heard the stories about poking dead, stinky carp with a stick, slipping in the mud, accidentally stepping into the water, etc etc.

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Back in the day I bet them kids got themselves a work out

Clements does a nice job in Genoa. Next time you’ll know to be a little earlier to get the South end of the float this time of the year.

Glad you all had fun

GOOD JOB DAD’S

I bet if you asked the kids if they had a good time they said, ” YA when are we going again Dad ” And thats is what this is all about.

Again DADS

Great job Dads.