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A day fishing at C.J. Brown Reservoir

It’s work to keep C.J. Brown fish biting

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By By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer Updated 7:12 AM Tuesday, May 26, 2009

My quest: I want to catch one fish — any fish — at the Springfield area’s public waterways. I’ll be fishing from the bank; no boats for me. I’ve fulfilled my quest at Hosterman Lake (three bluegills) and Clark Lake (two bluegills). This week I’m at C.J. Brown Reservoir, all 2,022 acres of it. The marina is a good spot for bank anglers this time of year. That’s where I’ll be.

Date: Tuesday, May 19

Temperature: 72 degrees

Wind: SSW, 6 mph

Sky: Sunny

Start: 7:36 p.m.

Finish: 8:33 p.m.

I was supposed to meet former News-Sun employee Keith Blauvelt at the marina at 10:30 a.m. Unfortunately, he was on one side and I was on the other. By the time he found me, he said he had caught 15 fish, which is 15 more than I did. I can verify Keith caught two fish after that, because I saw him reel in a crappie and a white bass. I won’t vouch for the other 15.

I returned later with my wife Sarah, my daughter Kate and a bucket of minnows. Here’s how I spent an hour at the lake.

7:36 p.m.: My ultra-light rod and reel is set to a depth of 10 feet, with a slip bobber and small hook. Keith shared his secret spot, which is really just the far southwest corner of the marina. I hook a minnow through the tail and toss it in.

7:39: Kate, four days past 13 months old, is running around on the grass, and I’m watching her play (proud papa that I am). I look back at my bobber and it’s gone. Nope, not gone, just hiding under the water’s surface. I set the hook and reel in a white crappie (it’s pronounced “crop-ee” for you non-anglers). Crappie No. 1 is about 8 inches long. I snap a picture and show off to the wife and kid. Cheers all around. Back in the lake it goes.

7:46: Crappie No. 2 is a bit smaller than the first. It still counts.

7:54: Crappie No. 3 confirms that the Fish Slayer has conquered another lake.

8:13: I want to let Kate touch Crappie No. 4, but I’m not sure. Sarah points out she’s been shoving dirt in her mouth since we arrived. So Kate touches the crappie, her first meeting with a wild animal. Unfortunately the battery in the camera is dead.

8:17: It’s almost too easy as I reel in Crappie No. 5. If this fish had a most wanted list, I would easily be in the Top 10.

8:22: As I’m reeling in Crappie No. 6, Sarah has a thought: “Are you sure you’re not catching the same fish over and over again?” She laughs.

Me: “Uhhh, yes.” The Fish Slayer doesn’t think that’s funny.

8:33: Crappie No. 7 is in, and Kate’s crying. A late nap doesn’t translate to a late night. Time to leave.

Hours fished: Less than 1.

Fish caught: Seven, all crappie. Special thanks to Keith for sharing his “now not-so-secret” spot and the bobber rig.

— Brian Plasters, staff writer

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