Iaconelli fishes Washington State!

[Glenn]

Yes, you read that right.  Mike Iaconelli was in Seattle Monday taping a segment of "City Limits" on Lake Washington.  Back at the Classic, we talked about doing a show here, and he followed through.  Thing is, the TV producer thought it would be great to do a SALMON show too, plus bass fishing!  UGH!

Long story short (really long story), Mike went fishing with a salmon guide in the morning, then met me at the locks to do the bass fishing segment at 11:00.  11:00 rolls by... and gone....several phone calls of "running a little late" later, and I meet them at 1:00.  I learn that they didn't catch any salmon.

Well, to maintain continuity, the producer decided to keep the salmon guide to do the bass fishing segment as well, and use my boat for the camera crew. Oh well, at least I get to see how it's done, right?  Bass fishing from a salmon boat... this ought to be interesting.  heh, heh  

It took Mike 10 mins to decide this wasn't going to work.

New plan!  Use Glenn's boat!  So we swap boats.

Remember now, this was the day after a major cold front dropped temps by more than 20 degrees.  By now a north breeze is getting stronger as another front approaches (we had no idea just how mammoth that front was!).  A north wind on Lake Washington means the bite is very tough, to say the least.

Needless to say, Lake Washington shut down.  The bite was non-existent.  Even a Classic champion and AOY like Mike couldn't muster a bite, other than a few perch. Bummer - I really wanted the rest of the country to see how good the bass fishing is here.

Mike didn't give up, however.  We hit several spots as the front approaches.  The wind got stronger and colder, then the rain came..... then thunder and lightening.    It took about 30 mins to convince him to come off the water - he was determined to catch one.  However, several close lightening flashes finally got him to put his rod down and put the boat on the trailer.

Fishless.  

Later that evening, we learned just how bad the storm really was as a funnel cloud was spotted not to far from where we were! (aside from the torrential rain pouring down and the lightening!)  This was a one-in-a-decade storm, and as luck would have it, it happened on THAT day!

On Tuesday, they did the beauty shots of Seattle, including Mike throwing fish at Pike Place Market.  They interviewed me to talk about the previoius day and about bass fishing in Washington.  Who knows if they'll use any of it.  I may end up on the editing room floor once they see my ugly mug on the screen.  ;D

Not sure if this show will ever air, given no fish were caught.  They're going to check with the network to see if they have to use it.  They may come back to reshoot it later this year or next year, not sure.  If it does air, I'll let you know when.

Here are the pics:

Trying to fish from a salmon boat

THAT didn't last long!  ;D

Is that thunder?

All-in-all, had a great time hanging out with the crew and Ike.  Had about 2 hrs just shooting the breeze with him as we were waiting to shoot my interview.  Looks like we'll be fishing together again at the Classic next February.

I left out a lot of details here.  Not sure if any of this is interesting, so I didn't want to bore anyone.  Feel free to ask questions if you're curious.

Glenn

[senko_77]

WAY TO COOL GLENN!!!

What an amazing experience.  

What is it like talking with Mike?  Does fishing dominate all the conversations, or does he get sick of it sometimes?  Exactly how much knowledge did you gather with 2 FULL HOURS of conversation with an angler of Iaconelli's status?

[grimlin]

Not to be mean or rude....but it sure makes me happy season pros go fishless.

I don't feel so bad every time i skunk out now.  ;D

P.S. awesome story...Mike is quickly becoming one of those pros i'd love to meet now.

[rondef]

Good story and great pictures Glenn, thanks for sharing.  Too bad he got skunked but it just shows that it happens to all of us, even the pros.

[roadwarrior]

Wow!

You have some great pics anyway!

8-)

[Gatorbassman]

Why did they ask a salmon fisherman to take Ike bass fishing.

[islandbass]

Yes, you read that right. Mike Iaconelli was in Seattle Monday taping a segment of "City Limits" on Lake Washington. Back at the Classic, we talked about doing a show here, and he followed through. Thing is, the TV producer thought it would be great to do a SALMON show too, plus bass fishing! UGH!

Long story short (really long story), Mike went fishing with a salmon guide in the morning, then met me at the locks to do the bass fishing segment at 11:00. 11:00 rolls by... and gone....several phone calls of "running a little late" later, and I meet them at 1:00. I learn that they didn't catch any salmon.

Well, to maintain continuity, the producer decided to keep the salmon guide to do the bass fishing segment as well, and use my boat for the camera crew. Oh well, at least I get to see how it's done, right? Bass fishing from a salmon boat... this ought to be interesting. heh, heh

It took Mike 10 mins to decide this wasn't going to work.

New plan! Use Glenn's boat! So we swap boats.

Remember now, this was the day after a major cold front dropped temps by more than 20 degrees. By now a north breeze is getting stronger as another front approaches (we had no idea just how mammoth that front was!). A north wind on Lake Washington means the bite is very tough, to say the least.

Needless to say, Lake Washington shut down. The bite was non-existent. Even a Classic champion and AOY like Mike couldn't muster a bite, other than a few perch. Bummer - I really wanted the rest of the country to see how good the bass fishing is here.

Mike didn't give up, however. We hit several spots as the front approaches. The wind got stronger and colder, then the rain came..... then thunder and lightening. It took about 30 mins to convince him to come off the water - he was determined to catch one. However, several close lightening flashes finally got him to put his rod down and put the boat on the trailer.

Fishless.

Later that evening, we learned just how bad the storm really was as a funnel cloud was spotted not to far from where we were! (aside from the torrential rain pouring down and the lightening!) This was a one-in-a-decade storm, and as luck would have it, it happened on THAT day!

On Tuesday, they did the beauty shots of Seattle, including Mike throwing fish at Pike Place Market. They interviewed me to talk about the previoius day and about bass fishing in Washington. Who knows if they'll use any of it. I may end up on the editing room floor once they see my ugly mug on the screen. ;D

Not sure if this show will ever air, given no fish were caught. They're going to check with the network to see if they have to use it. They may come back to reshoot it later this year or next year, not sure. If it does air, I'll let you know when.

Here are the pics:

Trying to fish from a salmon boat

THAT didn't last long! ;D

Is that thunder?

All-in-all, had a great time hanging out with the crew and Ike. Had about 2 hrs just shooting the breeze with him as we were waiting to shoot my interview. Looks like we'll be fishing together again at the Classic next February.

I left out a lot of details here. Not sure if any of this is interesting, so I didn't want to bore anyone. Feel free to ask questions if you're curious.

Glenn

Glenn,

You are sure right that bass fishing can be very tough here. Man, I wish I knew you were here. The Seattle area is my playground and despite the tough conditions, I could have showed you where to find smallies from the bank  . Lake Union would have been a better choice.

Oh well, better luck. Next time you're out here, let me know. I realize we never met, but sheesh. I feel like a bad host. :'(

On days like that, you might find smallies @ 30-50' deep and even then it is tough to coax them on the drop shot or a dragged football jig with a double tail trailer.

[JShrock07]

It's too bad you didn't catch anything but thats just how it goes! Sounds like you did have a great time though! Congrats!!!

[fishinfiend]

Not to be mean or rude....but it sure makes me happy season pros go fishless.

I don't feel so bad every time i skunk out now. ;D

That is exactly what I was thinking.

Glenn, that was very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[Glenn]

WAY TO COOL GLENN!!!

What an amazing experience.

What is it like talking with Mike? Does fishing dominate all the conversations, or does he get sick of it sometimes? Exactly how much knowledge did you gather with 2 FULL HOURS of conversation with an angler of Iaconelli's status?

You would think he gets tired talking about fishing, but he lights up when the subject comes up.  Listening to him recount his experience of catching a 14-pounder, you would've thought it happened yesterday.

Of course, being the crankbait fanatic that he his, I picked up a few tidbits about crankbait fishing, as well as swimbait fishing too.

Islandbass - we fished 10'-50' deep using dropshots, splitshots, jigs, and shakey heads to no avail.  You know what the weather was like on Sunday, and especially Monday.  Arguably the worst possible fishing conditions.

Yes, too bad he didn't catch anything, but it goes to show you that even the best of the best struggle sometimes.  They're human too.  At least now I won't feel so bad when I strike out..... often.  :

[shorefisher]

Of course, being the crankbait fanatic that he his, I picked up a few tidbits about crankbait fishing, as well as swimbait fishing too.

Few tidbits?! Anything you'd feel like sharing???

Great pics, it sounded like one of those special days you get once in a blue moon skunked or not.

[BigBass DEZ]

He should have just called me i was out there this past weekend and did 23lbs ...

[islandbass]

Glenn,

You did everything that I would have done. Sometimes that is just how it is.  :'(  The last time I fished Lake WA from a boat was in January. 22 degrees, 5.5 hours of fishing, beyond frozen hands... The first fish was hooked and landed by my buddy in the last ten minutes of fishing. I hooked into one shortly afterward but my hands, but I lost mine. :

If you're ever in the area again, let some of us know, like Big Bass Dez. This boy can fish. 8-)  BPM2000 is also in the neighborhood.

[Glenn]

Thanks guys.  

Bigbass - I presume that was BEFORE Sunday's front hit?

[5bass]

That's awesome that he made the trip up there. Does he not have any 'say-so' in what happens on these shows? Salmon fishing? Bassin' on a salmon boat with a salmon guide? Come on. Ike's got more 'pull' than that. Salmon fishing?  :-?

Too bad the weather and the bass didn't cooperate.....I was wanting to see some monster smallies gettin' flipped in the boat.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

What a cool experience but I know it can be discouraging when it's tough to get a guest on a fish.  All involved are experienced fishermen though and when that's the case, it is what it is, fishin'.  It will always beat sitting on the couch.  GEtting to do it with a guy like Ike is even better.  

Cool pics

[bighed]

Very cool story Glenn.  What bass angler doesn't dream about an afternoon of hangin out with a guy like Mike!  BTW, good looking Ranger.  big

[Marc]

Glenn,

There isn't much anyone can do when the bass aren't willing to bite. It is really too bad though that Seattle had it's chance to shine and show off it's sometimes world-class smallmouth fishery to the rest of the country, and we blanked. I doubt any of the footage will see the light of day except maybe in a year-end review of the "not-so-hot" places.

I really hope he makes another trip because he will get into some big bass.

I can send him lots of pictures of big bass with the space needle in the background if it will help to convince him to come back! ;D ;D

ciao,

Marc

[islandbass]

Glenn,

There isn't much anyone can do when the bass aren't willing to bite. It is really too bad though that Seattle had it's chance to shine and show off it's sometimes world-class smallmouth fishery to the rest of the country, and we blanked. I doubt any of the footage will see the light of day except maybe in a year-end review of the "not-so-hot" places.

I really hope he makes another trip because he will get into some big bass.

I can send him lots of pictures of big bass with the space needle in the background if it will help to convince him to come back! ;D ;D

ciao,

Marc

Are you the one with smallies I've seen in older Lamiglas catalogs? I haven't met you in person but that is an awesome pic. 8-)

[Sam]

Glenn,

What a wonderful experience.

It is also nice knowing that you are welcome with the pros which can only enhance the forum.

Thanks for sharing your story and pics.

Can't wait for future reports with Ike and others.  

[Marc]

islandbass, yea, guilty as charged!

ciao,

Marc

[BigBass DEZ]

Thanks guys.

Bigbass - I presume that was BEFORE Sunday's front hit?

YES ,  

[Dan:]

Glenn, that is AWESOME. So will they mention BassResource.com on the show if your interview airs? That will probably bring a bunch of new members

[islandbass]

islandbass, yea, guilty as charged!

ciao,

Marc

Thanks, Marc! That is an awesome shot of you with the space needle in the background.

PS Can you tell I am a Lami fan by holding onto old catalogs? ;D

[Marc]

islandbass, yes, you must be a Lami fan!  (I'm also in the current catalog).

Too bad Iaconelli didn't get into the smallmouths at Lake Washington; he would have been shocked how fat and thick they are for their size, and how well they fight.  I would love to put him on some big fish with a dropshot rig and 6-pound test.  

ciao,

Marc