We knew people in Iowa were serious about fishing when we saw a family pull over to fish from shore and pull out a bobber the likes of which I have never seen.  Just check out the photo below.  But seriously, Clear Lake has been known for some really nice fishing over the years.  In fact, numerous walleye in the 7-10 lb class are caught here every year.   But it wasn’t the walleye that were hitting today – it was the Yellow Bass.

Taylor even landed a citation Yellow Bass which by size may not have looked like much but by Yellow Bass aficionados it was huge.  We didn’t have time to get an official record created so we released him for another to get the credit one day.

Clear Lake was once true to its name as it was created from receding glaciers leaving a once crystal clear water body.  But nearby farming in the past century has brought the silt from farmland runoff into the lake and year by year the lake has filled in.  Two years ago an aggressive plan began to dredge the smaller bay of the lake increasing its depth by upwards of 10 feet – an amazing accomplishment. 

The walleye fishing this year has been a bit off – as evidenced by our lack of walleye action today.   In the end the Yellow Bass, White Bass, and Catfish of the lake kept us entertained this morning.

Our guide Mike Peterson of North Iowa Fishing was a gracious guide and anxious to put us on the fish - and we caught fish at nearly every spot we tried across the lake.

The most interesting thing of the morning was the entertainment provided by two local boys fishing on a bridge just in front of us.  One of the boys, about 12 years old, hooked into a 10 pound carp and fought the poor fish for what seemed like an hour, while his younger accomplice attempted to net the elusive creature – over and over again.  It was one of those “should we pull anchor and go help them?” moments.  But, we figured - how will they ever learn if they don’t give it the old college try?  Ironically, on the near 50^th attempt the poor carp, dazed and confused, ran into their net and they had him.  Here’s where it gets a little graphic.  Let me insert here that the carp are not wanted in the lake as they are eating the much needed vegetation on the shorelines that help control the silt problem.  So the boys were simply doing there part to eradicate the carp as best they knew how.  As the carp began his best attempt to find the water again the boys resorted to their primitive instincts to silence the beast that lay in front of them.  A good pop on the head should do it, but all the younger boy had available was his 4 foot aluminum net. Enter the “Axeman commeth” as the young man in primal display hacked the poor fish with his aluminum net like a seasoned woodsman splitting wood.  We all thought – “Oh, that’s not right”.  But, it got the job done – or so they thought.  A minute later they turned their back on him and with one flop left in the ole carp – he leaped right back in the lake and swam off.  Priceless.

Today marked our 34^th State in a row with no rain - clear skies on Clear Lake.

After an interview with some local press we were back on the road again around 12:30PM – setting our course for Fox Chain-O-Lakes in Illinois – where tomorrow we will make one last attempt to catch the elusive Musky.  Taylor has vowed that he will have his day tomorrow – and I hope he does.