Fished Sawhill from about 12-4ish, caught 4 lm 12-15in. the action was pretty decent considering the time of day, lost my last lure that was catching them, and couldn't find another that worked, so switched my focus to bluegills, saw a bunch caught a bunch, nothing huge but a couple that were definately pan worthy. I fished just about every lake in the area, and found that the farther I hiked the better the fishing. Funny how that works. Also saw a ton of frogs, but didnt have any frog-lures to cast, but I imagine you could do pretty well with one. Also for you carp fisherman they are out there in hoards. I wish i new how to bow fish, I saw a school of 7 of them and each had to be over 5lbs. Also saw a few snakes, no rattlers though. Anyone know if there are any crappie in there??? I had what i thought looked like one, but it spit out my grub before i landed it.
Sawhill Ponds
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I fished sawhill with my daughter last night. We caught some fish and had a great time. We met 2 people who were from new jersey. I shared with them a bit about what can be caught in these ponds. About an hour later I heard them screaming about this fish they caught... now I'm no animal activist or anything but my first thought was release the fish so we can catch it again and maybe it will spawn. About 2 hours later as we were getting into our car they were leaving as well...thy started asking questions about the fish..how to cook it ....what does it taste like..the fish itself was on a metal stringer
and it moved a litlle bit so I knew it was half alive...so as we talked I told them about the fish in colorado and...oh did i mention the fish was a lg mouth over 5 and a half pounds ... a monster for these ponds..and at least 25 to 28 inches... so as we talked I was able to help them understand how rare of an oppurtunity to cath fish like this..all in all they decided to let it go..so I took the fish back to one of the ponds and spent almosty a half hour of revivng the fish...taking my time....I could see her come from almost dead ...to starting to breath on her own..she was totalyy exhausted......and then she finnally swam out of my hands into the deep weeds....I think the most important lesson that my daughter and I learned is that you dont have to get irate with people who are ignorant....if you calmly and sensably talk with people and educate them on how rare the size of the fish is...and let them make up thier mind....I believe most people are good people and will make the best choice....and they did...my hats off to thoses two people who felt and made the best decision for the fish..conservation...and most of all teaching my daughter that good things can come from good people......and knowing that its the little things that people do can change a persons life....
Ignorance is bliss.....but stupidity is forever!!!!!!!
and it moved a litlle bit so I knew it was half alive...so as we talked I told them about the fish in colorado and...oh did i mention the fish was a lg mouth over 5 and a half pounds ... a monster for these ponds..and at least 25 to 28 inches... so as we talked I was able to help them understand how rare of an oppurtunity to cath fish like this..all in all they decided to let it go..so I took the fish back to one of the ponds and spent almosty a half hour of revivng the fish...taking my time....I could see her come from almost dead ...to starting to breath on her own..she was totalyy exhausted......and then she finnally swam out of my hands into the deep weeds....I think the most important lesson that my daughter and I learned is that you dont have to get irate with people who are ignorant....if you calmly and sensably talk with people and educate them on how rare the size of the fish is...and let them make up thier mind....I believe most people are good people and will make the best choice....and they did...my hats off to thoses two people who felt and made the best decision for the fish..conservation...and most of all teaching my daughter that good things can come from good people......and knowing that its the little things that people do can change a persons life....
Ignorance is bliss.....but stupidity is forever!!!!!!!
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Nice going. Sure hope that bass survives.
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Razor, that is one of the best stories from Sawhill that I have heard in a while.
I have seen a drop off in big bass at Sawhill over the last few years. Too many folks keep every bass over 15-inches and that is really hurting the smaller ponds IMO.
Last year I paid a kid 5 bucks to release his 16-inch bass on Pond 1. That was the best bargains I ever made.
I have seen a drop off in big bass at Sawhill over the last few years. Too many folks keep every bass over 15-inches and that is really hurting the smaller ponds IMO.
Last year I paid a kid 5 bucks to release his 16-inch bass on Pond 1. That was the best bargains I ever made.
it's really nice to hear that people realize that the only way to keep these ponds going and healthy is to release some of the big bass that have made it past the 15inch mark. I wish the ponds where catch and release, but at least you guys are out there telling people about the importance of these fish. Maybe the bass would be more Pella quality if they changed the regs. Anyways on a side note, I fished Walden last night for about 2 hours, caught about 10 little largies, pretty much on consecutive casts. Got tired of them and went to look for thier older brother or sister but couldnt find them. All in all a great fun day of fishing.
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razorsedge31 -- I was there last night as well, I think I saw you and your daughter in the very front pond.
I too saw those folks with that fish -- it was huge! In my ingorance, I thought these ponds were like Pella and most of the other Open Space/Parks ponds and you have to release all bass. I told them calmsly I wasn't sure you could keep the bass, and that a fish that large is a trophy and that bass aren't so great to eat. I wasn't trying to be rude and admitted that I was probably wrong about keeping it, but I think I offended them anyhow. They were very nice people though.
Thanks for looking out for a great resource, and I do think you taught your daughter a copule of very valuable lessons.
I too saw those folks with that fish -- it was huge! In my ingorance, I thought these ponds were like Pella and most of the other Open Space/Parks ponds and you have to release all bass. I told them calmsly I wasn't sure you could keep the bass, and that a fish that large is a trophy and that bass aren't so great to eat. I wasn't trying to be rude and admitted that I was probably wrong about keeping it, but I think I offended them anyhow. They were very nice people though.
Thanks for looking out for a great resource, and I do think you taught your daughter a copule of very valuable lessons.
I've fished Sawhill for around 20 years now and you're right, the farther back you get the better the fishing, and yes, there are some really nice crappie in some of the ponds. I won't give away my favorite pond though, It still consistantly kicks out 21+ inch Largemouth. We use to keep them when we were kids but haven't kept one for a long time. I haven't been there for a couple of years, maybe I will go this weekend and take the kids up.
I've always found the best time is right before dusk with a weed walker or a buzzbait, both will knock them dead!!
I've always found the best time is right before dusk with a weed walker or a buzzbait, both will knock them dead!!
Hmmm... I used to fish those ponds too. And still do once in a while. My pops fished those ponds since he landed in the state. Used to keep em from there too until I became a lil more educated about how small of an ecosystem these lil ponds are. Plus the fact that LM bass is stinky. Went there last spring and caught/released a few 16 to 17 inchers too. Like you guys say, the further back you go, the better the fishing.
If anyone likes eating bullfrogs, this is a good place to go in mid-summer. Some of the bullfrogs are huge! Biggest I've seen come from there.
If anyone likes eating bullfrogs, this is a good place to go in mid-summer. Some of the bullfrogs are huge! Biggest I've seen come from there.
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Hey nice story guys! The only allowing the harvest of bass 15" or greater really hurts a lot of fisheries. Purdy mesa has really improved in the last few years in bass size for a few reasons. They changed the limit, it used to be 5, all had to be over 15". Well, most of the bass were tiny, 10-14". Now, the limit is I believe 3 fish, 12-15" must be released and only 1 over 15". The bass fishery has greatly improved there in the last couple of years, even though my experience last night didn't show it but I have had past experience that did. I believe the slot they use at purdy mesa should be used in most places, it has been shown that the 15" or greater limit of 5 doesn't help fisheries but hurt them. Anyway these ponds sound like a place I'd like to fish. Good luck fishing guys!
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