Barrett Season Wrap — Thanks Everyone!

[Shawnster]

Hard to believe the season’s already over. This was our third year of bass fishing, and it all started with our first trip to Barrett. Funny enough, I think the fishing was actually better in 2023 and 2024 than it was this year, but my numbers tell a different story. First season I was averaging fish counts in the teens, last year in the twenties/low thirties, and this year I hit my PB with 63 (I beat my son Theo by one fish). The lake hasn’t gotten easier—we’ve just gotten less bad.

Big thanks to this community for that. I started with 6” TR Senkos and spinnerbaits, and now I’m rotating through flukes, Ikas, chatterbaits, SlimSwimZ, wackys, Neds, marabou jigs, all sorts of topwater flavors, and BFS approaches. Almost all of that — importantly including how/why/when to fish them — came from advice here. Our progress is a product of this community.

Big thanks to Laurie, Yul, and Jose for keeping Barrett running smooth—it really does make Barrett unlike any other fishery. Thanks to TommyP for advocating for us and the lake. And special thanks to JWall, MisterRocko, Dfishin, Pourboy, EarlyRelease, 619Bassin, CorsoEnthusiast, VinnyBass, and Dannicus (just to name a few) who have all generously shared unique insights that sped our learning curve.

As for today—the season closer—it was a beautiful one. I almost didn’t go, but soooo glad I did (unfortunately Theo couldn’t make it). Fishing was moderate: 36 landed, most on the smaller side, but I did stick a 4lb and then a 4.82 right before dark. Both came on a fluke, one fished deep the other exploded on top. Couldn’t ask for a better finale than watching a rocket trail streak the sky as we wrapped up.

Already missing Barrett. It’s going to be a long winter! If anyone ever needs a fishing buddy or two, give me a shout — I’d like to expand our experience beyond Barrett.

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” – John Buchan

[Dfishin]

Great report! You have the fluke down. Congrats on some bigger ones. It's been fun running into you and Theo this season. Maybe see you on some other lakes now.