Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Chatfield 10/8

A few weeks ago I went on a guided walleye trip with Austin Parr. I have spent most of the last three years primarily targeting Lake Trout. This year I decided I needed to mix it up. That's why I have been taking more pike trips and fly fishing. I contacted Austin so I could learn more about walleye at Chatfield, and just walleye in general.

Because of the heat the walleye were still in more of a summer pattern. We found them shallow on humps around the gravel pits in the back of Chatfield. The three presentations we used were jig and a worm, blade baits, and jigging raps. This was my first time to use a blade bait. I really enjoyed working the blade bait, it was also very effective. I think we managed around 20 fish. Mostly walleye, a few trout, and one 10lb carp!

Austin uses Lowrance electronics. I have always use Humminbird... until this trip! The maps available for Lowrance are amazing. All of the Colorado lakes I fish are mapped in very high detail. You can't get this for Humminbird unless you make your own, which is a tall order for a big lake like Blue Mesa. So I am now the proud owner of a Hook2 9", installed it myself today. I did not hook up the transducer, I'm still using my Solix 12 for sonar. The Lowrance unit will just be used for maps...for now.

I took my new Lowrance and the new techniques Austin showed me and went back to Chatfield today. I was able to find fish right away. I deployed my trolling motor getting ready to spot lock, but it would not turn on... hopefully I will get that worked out soon. So I reset a bit up wind from the fish I wanted to target and threw out my anchor, old school lol. Using the blade bate I was able to catch about 7 walleye. I caught another 3 or 4 on a jig and worm. I am very happy with the results.

If you want to learn more about the Denver area lakes I highly recommend Austin Parr. Of all the guides I have fished with I feel he is the best teacher and just fun to hang out with.

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