A FISHING TRIP ON LAKE PONDERAY, ID

Dear Family,

The next day after Jeff's road trip was  a drive up to lake Ponderay  and Sand-point Idaho for a fishing experience.  This is a wonderfully large and very deep lake.  In fact there is a Naval Station there where they test submarines and related submarine stuff.  We have fished it before two years ago and caught three large trout.

Before we fished, we went to this restaurant in Sand-pointe for lunch. Julius ordered the special hamburger and I believe it was the single paddy one loaded with everything on the menu.  You almost have to dislocate your jaw to get around this but he managed to put it away.  Great eating spot!

I thought we would be going after lake trout but this particular boat captain showed up with a smaller boat and he planned a pan fishing expedition.  The trick was he knew where the fish hang out.  Rob, Jeff, Julius, Anna, Luke and Opa were on board.  Here is Rob with his ever growing beard, Luke and Anna. Jeff and Julius were fore.

We got underway and Luke went spazz over the fish finder shouting every time they recorded a fish.  We sped down the lie to where the Kokanee hang out.  They are a variety of small landlocked salmon and are hard to catch.

They have a "soft mouth" and easily get off the hook.  We must have had 15 hooked but only brought in aa few.  It was hard and Luke got a little discouraged.  He said his cousin Leo made the best decision to stay home.  That al; changed when Luke got a bite and managed to bring this Kokanee into the boat.  It changed to the best day of his life.  He was thrilled and excited.  Anna and Julius caught fish and I caught a fat perch.  Jeff was an observer on this one but had fun.

Rob caught the biggest fish and I forget what it was but it was not good to eat so back he went.  We had these smaller pan fish that fit in a ziplock and we headed back at dark.

When we got back to Jeff and Tammy, Rob fried all the fish and it was excellent.  The best were those Kokanee's which had red meat and were delicious.

It was a great trip on a beautiful day with perfect sorroundings. I have come to love northern Idaho.

Love,  Dad