Reply by: sfpmattyd      Posted: 3/22/2012 5:10:29 PM     Points: 349    

Thanks for the info, man. I like Barker, and if you check out the DOW's survey of the lake, you will find that there are some total hogs in that lake. I can only imagine about what is hanging around in all of those inaccessible places.

 Reply by: Opus      Posted: 3/23/2012 1:58:51 PM     Points: 174    

Thanks, H-Bond. I went by a couple weeks after my last post, and saw the ice receding as well. This warm spell has really helped.

I'm a Barker fan, also. Like sfpmaddyd, I know there's some big-uns out in the middle there. Very frustrated I can't slip my canoe in there and get 'em.

Anyway, great news. If Barker was fishable on the 17th, it's sure to be even better now. Happy Spring, folks!

 Reply by: Opus      Posted: 3/23/2012 2:40:17 PM     Points: 174    

Btw, H-Bond --

Let me pass on a tip that has worked for me at Barker. Barker trout are weird. They do not behave like fish at other lakes. When I first started going there, I'd go through my entire tacklebox inventory trying to find something that would work. I finally found a combination that works pretty reliably.

Do this:

1.) Go to Kmart and find this small tube jig they have with a gold body with sparkles and white tentacles. It's about an 1-1/4" long. I forget the brand, sorry.

2.) Buy a small jar of bright red salmon eggs - the smaller the better - and get a three-pack of their tiny weighted styrofoam round bobbers..

3.) Put one egg on the jig's hook, far enough to spread the tentacles out a bit.

4.) Tie the jig directly onto your line (no snap swivel) and put the bobber about 4-6 feet above the jig.

5.) Toss this rig out as far as you can, let it sit a few seconds, then start jiggling the tip of your rod so the lure makes little spastic movements under the water. Allow the jig to slowly work its way to shore.

I came up with this purely by accident, out of desparation after trying everything else. I think the little jerky movements attract the fish without scaring them, the waving tentacles entice them, and the hint of red triggers their strike reflex. That's my goofy theory, anyway. All I know is Barker rainbows will slam this rig like crazy.

Also, don't be surprised if you see two or three trout follow your jig all the way to shore, then strike just as you go to lift it out of the water. I dunno - maybe they don't want it to escape.

Anyway, give it a shot. Works for me, and sure beats getting PowerBait glitter all over yourself (then trying to convince your wife that you really were fishing and not out at some strip bar).

 Reply by: rainnfish      Posted: 3/25/2012 9:59:54 PM     Points: 80    

went to arker today w/ a couple of friends,,,fished all morning till 2p.m
cloudy with westerly breeze, we all limted out by 2p.m. fishing very slow, tried everything in box...seems last years power bait still had some scent left....used this orange/blue turbo bait got two small rainbows in about an hour..then nothing rest of day on it .my buddies tried every color of bait we had .a fish here an there no one color was consistent ....then tried this white croc lure w/ rainbow colors and spots...OH they followed ...they followed it all the way to shore...but would not hit it...any ways a nice but slow day....used several colors of dough...
ice on north shore varies from about fifty feet to maybe a hundred yards in spots west shore about a couple hundred yards out and is shallow...about ten others fishing....will try again next week..

 Reply by: H-BOND      Posted: 3/27/2012 2:28:01 PM     Points: 89    

Thank you for your secret tip, Opus, I will try it.
And thank you for update, rainnfish.

I just look at the reservoir by the webcam, the ice looks like all gone.
this is the link. [log in for link]

I think, it's time to go there!!!
Enjoy, guys~