We Caught Largemouths Instead of Pike

I also walked in a mile last August, twice, though both times alone. I had a problem with dizziness, one of the outings, and though the temperature was only 88, it felt excessive to me. Today, with Oliver Round, temperatures in the 90's didn't bother me at all. But northern pike, true to their name, are cool-water fish. They weren't very cooperative this afternoon, though Oliver caught a small one, and we missed hits. I did spot one about 24 inches long that seem lethargic. My jerkbait was near it. I twitched and the fish spooked. Another time, my braid on the water spooked one about 20 inches long. 

We had fun catching largemouths, Oliver's the biggest at about a foot long. He caught it on a Wacky worm while he tried for carp with another rod. I had ventured off downstream...where I spooked something large close the bank in shade and deep water. That's when I felt I should have brought along a few Senko-type worms. 

I caught four little eight or nine and maybe 10-inch largemouths. Oliver also caught a big yellow perch of 15 or 16 inches That's the first of its species we've caught in the Passaic. 

And today I lost a plug to a tree branch. In all my experience thus far on the river., that's the first lure I've lost. Another got caught among berries on a poison ivy vine, and I reached into it and pulled it out. Then I washed my hand in the river.  

Really nice, invigorating outing. I'm glad I got the chance to get back there again this summer. I don't think the season would have been complete without it, given how meaningful visits the last two years have been.

 Dry