Well, I got up @ 2:20 a.m. this morning. Wasn't planning on that, but that's when my brain said "you're awake" I guess.
Left the homestead about 3:30, and set the puddle jumper express's (PJE) coordinates for the coast. Olalla Reservoir WAS the destination; with Big Creek Res. #2 being plan B. However, as I approached the Hwy. 20/34 split on the west side of Philomath...signs said that Hwy. 20 was closed at Elk City! And taking the "detour" via Alsea and Waldport would have easily added 2 LONG driving hours to get to those lakes. No thanks!
After circling like a misguided buzzard for a moment; I turned the PJE's front end for an eastern bound jaunt. While returning to Corvallis, I pondered and cogitated upon just where I was gonna go. My goal was still to try to get somewhere at, or close to, first legal and make the most of the morning hours. About the 5th or 6th sip of Java, it hit me. Quartzville Creek was my new target, on the east side of the valley.
While it took a bit longer than anticipated; I finally found a nice spot on the Upper End of Green Peter. So, I hunkered down and into a spot on the Quartzville arm of GP. Fish we're jumping all around. I eased into my parking spot and fishing hole quietly. Didn't want to disturb the campers next door, who weren't up yet. It was about 6:00.
With rod #1, I plunked some Power Eggs. And with rod # 2, I proceeded to cast my go to lure...a brass Little Cleo spoon. Bam! Got a 4" whopper (aka "dink") on cast #2 or 3. I wasn't getting any bites on the Power Eggs, so changed color's and re-plunked those OFF the bottom. I continued to get bumps on my Little Cleo--thinking that getting hits while it dropped was a bit odd.
In just a couple more casts...WHAM! A decent 'bow of respectable dimension (about 12"). He was carefully C & R'd, just as his little cousin was. After a bit, the bite slowed. So, I switched to a NEW rainbow colored Rooster Tail made specifically for slack water. BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM...man that thing worked liked a charm. And I was BETA testing them for the maker (Yakima Bait Company). But, like w/ my spoon...many strikes were coming up short or I'd have one on for a shake or two. I tried two other colors of those new Rooster's, with no luck. But, the blades spin NICELY--without having to fiddle with them as with the older Roosters.
BTW, a school of some decent sized fish swam by. About 15 or so in all. And I thought...hmmm...I've never seen schooling 'bows before.
Changed the plunking rod gear out for a bobber n' woolly bugger. No hits. Switched to bobber n' worm and let that drift a while. Went back to casting my Little Cleo. All of a sudden...SLAM!!! Fish on! It fought better than the bow, and was a kick to bring it in on my little 5' UL rod. Low n' behold--I was looking eye to eye w/ a 13 KOKE. And I caught it while bank fishing!!! It really is true...there's a first for everything! I quickly invited "Mr. Koke", to my house for dinner. LOL Hence, that explained why fish we're hitting my Cleo on the drop (like jigging for them); and why a "school" swam by several times.
I got one more C & R bow, by floating a worm OFF the bottom. I also stopped at the park by the GP dam. I just made several casts w/ my Cleo and worked all the way around the bank. No luck.
Then, I spent an hour @ the Sunnyside boat ramp area at Foster Reservoir. Got one dink bow of 8" on my 5' UL lamiglas (hollow fiberglass rod). I carefully applied the forceps to the hook and let that little dude swim again. Also enjoyed the squirrels in close proximity, who zeroed in to claim some sunflower seeds apparently left behind by a previous fisherpeep.
Other than a few early morning sprinkles; all in all a decent day. It was about 50 in the early morning and overcast. But, by the time I left Foster (about 12:15) it was partly sunny and nice.
BTW, I had planned to take plenty of pics...but after snapping one pic my battery died. Whoops!