Fantastic Lake

Sep 01 2014

Andrew Lassetter

Fry

Member Since :
2013
Number of Posts :
4

I fished Leonard - Clymer Lake twice last month. I was really impressed even though I had read how hard it was to fish. It has an amazing amount of koontail weeds and extremely clear water. Most of the lake is covered almost up to the surface. If you can paddle out to the middle there are 2 long strips almost the length of the lake that open up. In some spots if memory serves me correct it is almost 12 to 19 feet in spots. I threw weightless Senkos and swim baits almost the entire time. Minus some fly fishing early in the day. Once I figured out the feel of the weeds versus a really light take I was catching good sized fish on almost every cast. So many I decided to press the barbs down on the hooks to make getting them off easier. They would either take it as soon as it hit the water or after about the second pull. The biggest one I caught was 6lbs according to my scale. Most of the rest seemed to be around 4lbs and a couple that could hve been 5lbs. I did not weight all of them. There were too many more to catch. There are also some huge Hybrid Bluegills that have no problems attacking the swimbaits. One slab crappie too.

I did break off 3 times. I know there is one giant in there for sure. The break offs were probably due to my lack of retying. At the end of each day my hands looked like they had be run through a cheese grater. Which in my opinion is great evidence of a great day of fishing. But if my hands looked so bad surely the line did too.

I have fished numerous PW properties. I have to say this lake is now my favorite. It has definitely been the most productive for numbers combined with quality. More good sized fish than small ones.

I will throw out some advise. Getting a kayak in the water can be tough. The first time out the water level was fine for getting the kayak on the water. There is a plastic pallet out there you can stand on to board your boat. Except the next time out the water had dropped about 3 feet making it a stretch to get in and out of the boat. Luckily I had an old cooler lid I used as a stepping stone. Otherwise it would have been a muddy mess. I am pretty sure if you step in that mud its going to be waist high before you stop sinking. I also learned coming back off the water it was easier to throw the anchor and pull myself in versus trying to paddle in the weeds. Then tie the anchor rope to your trailer or hitch and pull your boat our of the sticky mud. Hope that helps. It is work but really worth it. Not to mention no one ever fishes out there that I can tell. Good Luck.

Posted By: Andrew Lassetter

Sep 02 2014

Thomas E. (Tom) Dillon

Toad

Member Since :
2014
Number of Posts :
516

Excellent report, Andrew  -  Glad you had a great trip!

Sep 02 2014

Steve Alexander

Keeper

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415

Be warned for those who have not been there, launching a boat is a challenge. Do not attempt to travel on the roads on wet days. We have tried to make it clear that the rewards of fishing this lake can be great. But accessing the lake is tough; especially one guy with a boat. When I bought the club 5 years ago, I thought this was the best kept secret in the club and I  have personally, caught more 4.5 lb+ bass (but only a few over 6 lbs)  out of this lake than just about any other lake in the club. It was one of my favorite lakes in the club, but it is a BEAR to get in and out of the lake. I don't want to exaggerate I just want to set proper expectations. The guys who fish here repeat often.

Sep 02 2014

Robert Lundin

Keeper

Member Since :
2002
Number of Posts :
371

Would it be any easier if you could lay down a 4X8 sheet of plywood first to spread out the weight. I was wondering if 8 feet gets you into the water.  I did this at Athens Northeast years ago when the lake was low.  I really only needed 4 feet but the 8 feet worked great.  I then used the muddy plywood later for a raised vegetable bed for handicapped gardeners.  My bass tender 10.2 weights 175 so I struggle with it when I'm by myself.  Ten years ago no problem moving that boat but today it is a chore.  I guess I need to lift more bags of compose and soil and get back into shape.  Clymer is tempting but I'll stick to the reports and dream.

Sep 02 2014

David Irving

Fry

Member Since :
2003
Number of Posts :
23

yes it is a great lake. i have caught many nice bass there. its been awhile since ive been back up there. i usually bring a 2 X 8 X 8 so i can get my self into the boat.

Sep 03 2014

Andrew Lassetter

Fry

Member Since :
2013
Number of Posts :
4

Steve is right. You will get a work out! I did not mean to down play the issues. It is not easy by any means. Even with a kayak. What would be great are about 3 more plastic pallets. Like the current one out there. They would not rot, and allow you to move them around depending on the water level. Plus they are light. But still getting your boat out of that sticky mud may be an issue.