7/30

[hawghunters]

Fished hopewell with a buddy of mine for the first time this year. Managed only 2 fish and lost 2. We fished from 4:30pm-8:30pm. Both bass were caught as close to the bank as possible on a frog. The one literally ate it when it was being skipped on the cast. It took me a few seconds after lifting up on it to realize what just happened. I fished some deeper water for an hour but couldnt manage any larger fish. I hook one probably over 3 lbs in the thick Lilly pads and it got all wrapped up unfortunately. My partner had one come off on the frog. I also witnessed what I believe was either a beaver or an otter. As crazy as it may sound, it looked more like an otter. I know there are beavers there very often, but I could swear this was an otter based on the tail. Its body silhouette in the clear water was that of a dog. Any similar sightings? Maybe it was a beaver and I was nuts, its likely. Also saw a family who was allowing their 4 kids to play on the ramp. In the water. When I'm trying to use their awkwardly arranged ramp. I yelled to them to get out, and when doing so I saw the kids throwin small boulders onto the ramp. Not just skipping little rocks, they were rolling large rocks onto the ramp. Parents didnt say a word to me or their kids. If it wasnt for my phone dieing at the time, I would have been calling park services. Luckily for me its not a problem, my boat is a cheap jon boat and old trailer, but for someone in a nice bass boat i would be a little careful of this now... Some people's kids...

[Deleted]

Sounds like you had a little bit of success there. That lake has been very tough this year. My best day was 23 and then the very next day I caught 2.....so its been rather spotty at best. Its a hard lake to fish with all of the milfoil as well; I typically get there early and try to fish the shallow cover. I know what you mean about people on the dock. NUMEROUS times I have had to point out the sign right on the dock that says no fishing; but for some reason parents let their kids out there to fish anyway. Many times I need to tell kids to move etc and also point out the sign to their parents; not sure how they can miss the sign or maybe they just dont care? Regardless; it is a good lake; there are a few big bass in there as well. As far as seeing an otter; Ive never seen one at Hopewell but I did see one about two weeks ago at Chambers so I know they are around.

[imafishin]

my daughters and i have seen several otters out in ridley park and a good number of beavers daily in darby creek! If they are down here there are probably greater numbers out there!