After the remaining people left, I moved to this pond's last main fishing spot. From here, I find the most fish of the day. Unfortunately, these fish are ravenous and swallow the bait and hook before I can set the hook. One fish did not make it, but I was lucky enough to release the others successfully. That is one issue with using a bottom rig like mine. It can become very difficult to release them.

After a fisherman leaves, I move spots to cast out into the deeper water. This shift opens up other holes for some of the bigger fish in the pond. The change proves successful almost right out of the gate. I soon abandoned using my float rig to focus on where the action was coming from. I jinxed it for a time, but soon, the bite returned, and I pulled in a few more good fish.

The sun was out, but the wind was biting. The pond was busy, but I still found some trout. Nothing big, but they all were between 9 and 11 inches. Given where I was catching them, I was happy just to be able to get some hooksets. Once I found the fish, I changed my rig slightly to accommodate the situation better. If you find that your rig is a little more than you need and you can pair down to something more sensible, do it.

The float no longer triggers the bite, but the bottom rig starts to heat up. Catch the two biggest fish of the day on the bottom rig. I even managed to get a rough-looking tangle out of my line just in time. Ended up soaked and chilled to the bone from all the rain and snow. Despite that, it was a great day, and I am glad I braved the elements and overcame the skunk during the first hour. It was all worth it.

Back at Mariposa Pond. Some warmer weather thawed the ice on the pond, which was now completely fishable; however, the weather was not cooperating. It was supposed to rain all day, but the temperature dropped, and the rain turned to snow, then it warmed enough to turn back into rain. It never stopped, and I was getting wet and cold every minute. After more than an hour of fishing, I was getting ready to give up when I managed to catch my first fish. It was the beginning of a very good day.