Fish are settling into summer pattern

By Bill Bartusek

The Fourth of July week is now history and one I won't forget for some time. It's the time of year for vacation and this was my week too.

Brenda and I along with her Mom headed for the cabin Friday night. We didn't make it until Saturday. A bearing went out on the boat trailer and we lost the tire while heading down the freeway. I finally found the tire in a field over a thousand feet from where it fell off the trailer. I got a motel and my son Joe brought a different axle up to Zimmerman the next day. I arrived at the cabin just as the weather switched from 80 to 50 degrees. Then it rained and got cold. We wore rain suits over snow pants to stay dry and warm while we fished. The second half of the week finally did warm up. Fishing was good as the post spawn sunfish were easy to find and catch. The rest of vacation went fine though it went by quickly.

Saturday I participated in my 19th Pan-O-Prog Bass Tourney in Lakeville. I don't believe I've missed a single one. My son Billy and I didn't do well, but several New Prague area teams fared much better.

Father and son team Dennis and Brandon Palma brought in six bass weighing more than 23 pounds to win the event. They also had the big bass for the contest and ended up with more than $1,500 in winnings.

By the way, Brandon caught most of the big fish for Dad.

Gary and Dave Flicek got 15.17 pounds of bass to slide into fourth place. Their big bass weighed 4.43 pounds. In ninth place, with 13.48 pounds, was the team of Joe Bartusek and Tom Campbell. Taking 10th place was Duane and Ken Flicek, with 13.24 pounds of bass.

Eugene and Kurt Palma finished with a limit of bass and Kurt won a nice fishing rod and reel for his efforts. Darin and Joe Flicek only caught three fish while fishing the slop. Their Dad, Dave told them not to fish there, but they didn't listen to the old pro.

We all had a great time and the contest was run really well.

Area lakes have gone through a changeover as some of the early weeds have died and given way to the new summer weeds. The fish changed location just a little, but have settled down into a summer pattern. Anglers should be able to put together game plans for successful outings while fishing. Enjoy the warm weather and will see you on the water.