I definitely think the bass got smarter. No question there. I caught a couple real nice ones in 2003 on some pretty weird areas, areas where I think the fish just moved to to avoid pressure. This year though, it's indescribeable how much it seems like the big bass have just disappeared completely. I never saw a fish over 3lbs on a bed this year or even near a bed. I've seen maybe 4 or 5 fish over 10 period all year. I fished the lake for 10 full day trips and caught one 10lber. I probably would have gone more but just got discouraged really. Fish Chris fished it the same or more than I did and caught one 11lber. BobH can chime in if he wants on how many he got since I have a feeling he fished it more than me or Chris, but basically the fishing just sucked all year in all conditions. Maybe some guys got them this year and they're fishing weekdays and not saying a word. But it would suprise me.

Another thing to consider, in the years from 2000-2003 I think I caught something like 2 spotted bass. This year I caught at least 15. They're everywhere. It just sucks. This year I also saw the most unreal numbers of carp and goldfish I've ever seen. They were so thick in one spot last month I was hitting them with my bait and you could feel the twang on your line as you reeled through shallow water knocking the carp this way and that. That many carp just can't be a good thing. And I doubt the goldfish are helping either. I saw people hauling in goldfish left and right all summer this year fishing from the shore. There must be a goldfish every 10 feet for how many people were catching.

I guess my attitude is just like you know what, the lake is going downhill, everything seems jacked up, now they're going to drain it anyway so let's just say screw it - kill it off and start fresh. Believe me, if they had announced this 2 or 3 years ago, I would have been devastated!

As an aside, I worked with Western Outdoor News last week to get a piece in about San Pablo for this weeks edition. The Northern Edition editor was very helpful and he put the article on the top of the first page. Hopefully this can get some more people to the meeting.