Results of my Patoka trip

[Tyme2fish]

Fishing partner wanted to launch from the Kings Bridge ramp, so that's what we did. Whomever said Kings Bridge has a launch is greatly exaggerating the term of "launch".
I backed the Stratos into the water and when I opened the driver's door of my truck, I'm looking down at the water while the boat is still two feet in the air still on the trailer. Don't ask me how, but we did get the boat launched.

The lake looks to be about 5 to 6 feet below summer pool. We saw some standing timber and decided to go back under Kings bridge and see what we can find. I had to raise the trolling motor up as I was hitting mud. Not wanting to be dissuaded I continued deeper into the mud flat until we were truly stuck. Partner gets out of the boat to push and he lands in water plumb up to his ankles. I then also get out, and we both pushed the boat to deeper water. That "deeper" water was 1 foot in depth but at least the boat was floating again.

We fished that cove for a little while and caught a few fish but decided to recover the boat and relaunch from Painter's Creek. I found a little deeper water at the "launch" and recovery was no problem.

Off across country we travel to Painter's Creek. Finally get there after seeing every county road in Orange County all the while waiting to hear the theme from Deliverance being played from the woods.

Launch from Painter's Creek and fished the creek for some time. Again, we caught a few.

Decided to boat across the lake up to Newton-Stewart ramp and then under the bridge once again into standing timber.

Water was about 59 degrees and fairly clear at this location.

We watched an osprey perched on a dead standing timber eat his lunch of fresh caught fish and saw a bald eagle circling in the distance.

The Patoka Lake police never stopped us. We never saw them and more
importantly they never saw us.

We caught some fish,had a great day in the sun and on the lake and had a fun day.

[DJD]

Can't ask for more than catching a few in the Sun with friends. The other stuff is just dealt with in the day of a fisherman.
Today I busted my GLX and busted a bunk on my trailer but thats ok....I caught fish and had fun with friends plus the Sun was out!! and it was warm!!!!

[ElectricSLT]

Sounds like both of you had a good day - fishing instead of working!

Tyme I've wondered how it would be to launch from the semi-improved dirt bank at Kingsbridge but since they've finally lowered the lake to winter pool I wanted to see or hear about someone else trying it. I'll stick to other ramps untill the water gets up some.

DJD sorry about the busted GLX and bunk but sounds like you both overcome adversity and had good days anyway - I'll be fighting the crowds at Patoka this evening through Sunday!

[Embrey]

king bridge is horrible...