Lake Elsinore CARP

[Dark_Knight_9C1]

8/23/2025
I adjusted my sight, sharpened my aim with a little practice. and set out before sunrise for another try at a 30 fish day. With my dolly with a trash can in tow, I got to the water about 5:15 which was about 30 minutes before Grey light. I could still see the reflection off the glassy water surface so it was enough to be able to see to shoot. I just needed a head lamp on low to see my sight.

Walked the first half mile with little more than the bait fish making any motion on the surface.
Then as Grey light started, I saw the first carp swimming off like a torpedo as I walked by. Looked promising.

Walked my second half mileage managed to find two groups of fish scavenging the shoreline with their backs breaking the surface. First shot of the day was a little low, trying to hit the fish midsection instead of dorsal fin. Second shot had two fish swimming side by side, looking to possibly hit both. Drew back, Lined up my sight an inch our two low, and let it fly. Arrow hit the water right as targeted. There was an explosion of the two fish and probably 3 or 4 others right next to them. Started pulling in the line and it came tight but there was no pull or line streaking sideways. The line was stuck in the base of bushes which had the tops chopped off and were all along the shoreline. They were my nemesis. Getting my line caught pulling in almost every time but I accepted it and would walk out to pull it out. This time though, my arrow was stuck in the base of one. First time one made me miss a shot, at least that I know of. I guess that's why I do better shooting further out. Shooting in six inches of water, I'm basically shooting through these plant stumps.

Walking the third half mile had my shadow cast out into the water. Couldn't sneak up on anything unless I walked along 20 ft from shore.

The last half mile I saw one more group of fish. My shadow cast about 45 degrees behind me at this one section of shoreline, so I was able to get closer to them. Picked one which was under the water in the shallows but I could now see it without its back sticking out. Pulled back, aimed lower, and let it fly. Must have been deeper than I thought because the arrow went over it and the fish was still there. Tried pulling it in quickly for another shot or at least to get the pleasure of dragging the arrow over its back to scare it. But, of course it was stuck in the stumps again.
Started heading back at this point. Covered more ground this time since there were less fish. Made it to the other end of the shoreline that Bowfishing is allowed.

The first half mile back it was pretty barren. My shadow was ahead of me but getting shorter.

The second half mile back, now about 8:00, was getting ideal light wise. I started seeing the fish further out where I like them. Was able to take a few shots but missing them. A few fish swam off slowly as I was readying to shoot.
Now while I was starting to see them I'm hearing thunder way off in the distance. The cloud had been blocking the sun now and then all morning but usually not for long.

The third half mile back the clouds were starting to become bothersome and I could see lightning hitting the mountain across the canyon.
I kept at it and was finding more fish when the clouds broke enough. Had a couple shots at fish which I had hopes but missed. Finally had one presenting broadside. Drew, aimed about 6 inches low, and let it fly. Arrow hit the water where targeted, but no splash. Started pulling in the line and saw it streaking sideways across the water as it loaded up. Fish on! Pulled it in carefully and saw I hit it an inch below the dorsal fin, a good solid spot. I was happy to get rid of the strip and it was a decent size fish.

Easily 5 lbs.

The last half mile back got interesting. Not good interesting unfortunately. The clouds had moved in and I could see sheets of rain moving toward me. I kept on looking and maybe saw one more before it started raining. Out of curiosity I stayed along the shoreline and kept an eye on the water as I walked back the last half mile. I was looking to see if I saw any backs of fish out of the water. It wasn't possible to see them under water because of the rain hitting the surface. Didn't see anymore so made a mental note, don't bother in the rain.
The rain got me wet but it was 75 degrees out so it wasn't bad. In fact, I enjoyed it. I don't remember the last time I walked in the rain in the summer.
That was it, but now I had a single fish again to dispose of. Well I had a tangerine tree which I had in a barrel, so I decided to plant it in the ground on top of the fish. It was two feet down and the base of the rootbal was one foot down. I can't wait to see what it does for fruit next winter.

-Keith

[Latimeria]

No rain here, but that sounds fun right about now.  lol

Can't wait to see the tangerine harvests and now go dig a big hole to bury that thing.  A trip to the dump is worth bringing 10.