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Show Dinosaurland Outdoors By Hartt Wixom Vernal Express Outdoors Writer There is no faster bluegill fishing than Pelican lake There probably won't ever be a better time to prove Pelican Lake for bass than now through the end of May. Bluegills are particularly active at the large pond south of Randlett right now too. With current weather, the largemouths are seeking out shallow, shoreline nesting sites. Favorite spots are in water about 3-6 feet deep, especially in broken, or uneven shoreline. Yet, the actual redd where eggs are laid will likely be a relatively smooth gravel bar, however small. A canoe or small boat would be particularly par-ticularly handy at Pelican, since much of the shoreline is not accessible. That which is, especialy along the east side dike road, is overly inundated with fishing pressure. Almost any casting elsewhere could bring greater bonus results. However, this lake has some private property at spots, including the north side. A basser should work at getting in the little-fished cattails in the less readily-reached water. For bluegills there is one hot spot in the small bays on the southwest corner which are excellent ex-cellent for fly fishing, or teaching the younger generation how to. Bluegills to half a pound eagerly strike a small black-grey fly pattern there. If you want the larger gills for which Pelican is famous, go to the "yellow water" shallows not pressured so frequently. There is not any water in Utah with faster bluegill fishing than Pelican, not even Lake Powell. Best lures for largemouths are plugs such as Rapala and Rebel, and the weedless types with hook upright, skirted, or flanged. I like a black Rapala no. 7, but I've taken them here on Mepps spinners. To work the latter successfully, you have to retrieve quickly enough to keep the heavy lure out of Pelican's substantial salad bar. Make sure you wipe off all algae on each cast, for the fish won't touch it otherwise. Many anglers like Steinaker also for newly-introduced (illegally, it might be added) for largemouth along the north inlet end. Trout seem to prefer the Ashley Creek inlet with its colder water. However, Pelican produces the larger bass. Pelican is also a potentially potential-ly dangerous lake with high winds, and delicate underfooting for waders. Incidentally, just after a storm can be a very good time to ply Pelican, so long as it does not move in with a cold front. Bass go deep with the latter, yet prowl for food with continued warm water temperatures. When Pelican bass are ready to hit, they often do so with little delay meaning an angler should move around a good deal rather than just plugging along with lengthy periods. First-timers sometimes find Pelican moody. But in spite of its temperment, like a high Uinta lake, the big pond can reward the faithful. The first few times I fished it, enroute to Towave or the Book Cliffs, small bass succumbed to dike-side Rapalas. I found that overcast days were better than bright sunlight, and edge of moss beds were best. Then add that additional element which every angler can only hope for, hungry fish and there is no bassing better anywhere. If the largemouths are asleep, you can pick up interim action on the always eager bluegills. It might, even for narrow-minded trouters, generate some excitement until un-til the general fishing opens. |