All the marinas around Mead have had to adapt as the lake has settled in 100+ feet below the original plan.  They have moved this one way out into the lake compared to original construction and they have extended the ramp several times.  The whole place is in a bit of disarray but important stuff is in working order so we make the long drive to water’s edge, back onto the very flat angle ramp, and push the boat off the trailer.  Ok, that’ll work.  Let’s go fishing.

A wild burro stands on the ridge above us, completely uninterested in our activity.  The lake is smooth and the sun bright but pleasant for now.  It is 8AM.  We glide to the east upriver past the river bank bluffs.  Just as we are settling in and bait in the water a burro lets go a deafening bray…the classic hew-haw several times over.  Another answers from not far off.  We had no idea they were there.  I spot the closest one not 30 feet up the bank.  It will be an hour before I see the other fellow.  Their color is very close that of the mottled brown/tan/grey bank.        

We drown worms for an hour or so with not even a hit even though we see fish around our bait.   It is wonderfully quiet.  I can hear the wild burro chewing and the crunch of his hooves as he moves on the rock.  Birds sing from the cliff tops.  It is wonderfully relaxing; but the fish are not biting and that just won’t do.  We pull in our lines and try trolling.  That’s it!  The little fellows just need to be annoyed a little.  We catch a total of 5, three smallmouth and two striped bass.  I caught three of them, but who is keeping score?   It is fun but it’s getting too hot and we need to get out of the sun.  We are back in camp by noon enjoying our shade and a very light breeze.