hey! the sun

Hi Folks, Put the boat in the water early am today guiding bass and northern.  Water was extremely clear even though we have received over 3.5" of rain in the last week.  Surface temperature was 64 degrees in the morning and the sun shined brightly all day.  A little north breeze, but not enough to influence anything.  We pounded shoreline with poppers and sliders for smallmouth and largemouth bass.  You could see some abandoned spawning beds as well as occupied spawning beds.  Spotted a lot of smallmouth, largemouth, and panfish cruising in really skinny water.  Tough fish to catch and long casts were required due to the clarity of water and lack of wind.  Trust me, the fish can see our big profile in a boat with conditions like today.  We left the spawners alone.  We ended up landing 7 smallmouth on surface flies.  We changed directions and cast for northern pike in deeper water off forming weeds bed adjacent to good depth transition.  Landed two decent northern between 22" and 28" as well as one of the largest black crappie I have ever seen.  Red and orange, red and white, and black and chartruse all drew interest.  Red and orange has been the best color combo this year for me while guiding.  Will be in the boat early am.  The Lamoille and Winooski are stuffed presently, though some small streams looked clear but high.  One of these days we will trout fish in the rivers.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy