It has been a tough week for fisherman and boaters on Big Bear Lake. High winds that just got stronger throughout the week, became ridiculous over the weekend. With the waters white capped and the wind blowing from all directions, most boats stayed in their slips.

Those that braved the churned up lake still caught trout as they found shelter from the wind in bays and behind points. Bait boys bundled up like Eskimo, fishing PowerBait in Papoose and Boulder Bays filled their stringers with nice holdover trout in the one to two pound class.

For trollers the toughest thing for them was keeping control of their boats. Four colors down on leadcore was still the magic for them. Some fish were caught at two colors as the water temperatures begin to rise. Needlefish and Rapalas are still the lures of choice for trolling. Before the chilly air blew them away, a hatch of various insects started and the trout became more active on the surface. Look for the bugs to return with better weather and the trout rocketing out of the water like little marlin.

Kaelee Haggerty, a local Big Bear Lake nine year old got in a good day of trolling before the winds came. Fishing with mom and dad she landed a six and a half pound rainbow, while trolling mid lake between the Observatory and Lagonita Pt.