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East Twin Lakes in northern Connecticut is one of those lakes that has you coming back for more. Year in and year out it is one the most productive bodies of water we fish not to mention the beautiful setting nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires. This year the setting wasn't the only thing that was beautiful. A 23 lb.,07 oz bag of largemouth painted a picture Picasso would have had a hard time duplicating. Bill Slavis and partner Dave McLaughlin shattered the club total weight record set a few years back on Copake Lake by three pounds. "It was an incredible day remarked McLaughlin. You know when your culling three and a half pound fish, whether its skill or luck, that it's probably your day." I believe Mr. Slavis would have to agree. East Twin Lakes is known for giving up large bass on a fairly consistent basis, especially during the spawn. Bill and Dave started off their day in 'heady' fashion by boating what they believed would be their kicker fish, a 5 lb.,13 oz monster that inhaled Bills jig as it settled among a snarl of downed tree limbs. In short order the boys had added to their catch by landing a pair of threes and a four pounder. With approximately 18 pounds in the boat, things were looking good (a HUGE understatement). So far, they had accomplished all their damage in the East Lake. McLaughlin suggested they try the West lake where he had had some success in previous years, even remembering a large pair he had seen bedding in a far corner two years prior. Reluctantly his partner agreed. Getting into West lake is never easy and at times is not worth the effort, either on your equipment or in terms of net results. On this occasion however, it WAS worth the effort. Almost immediately they spotted a large female on a bed in about 6 feet of water in the area Dave had recalled. A few minutes of coaxing ensued when suddenly, the fish ate Bills jig. After a brief battle, Dave slid the net under their second five pounder and gleefully escorted her to the livewell. "Hey, I think we got 20 pounds said McLaughlin laughing". "21 pounds Slavis said smiling". While they caught a few more decent fish, they were not able to upgrade their already impressive limit and moved back into the East Lake around 1pm. They were looking for another large fish they had seen bedding earlier in the day. As luck would have it she was still there, and this time locked in position on her nest. The pair worked the big bass for over a half hour. "We almost gave up recalled McLaughlin, but we decided to move off a bit and make longer casts through the bed in hopes of enticing a reaction bite". As Bill swung the boat around upwind of the nest, Dave made a long cast. Thump! and the line moved to the left Dave recalled. "I got her Bill he yelled as Slavis scrambled and jumped for the net. "The fish surged and doubled my flipping stick said McLaughlin". The fish wasn't going to give up easily and after what seemed like an eternity they finally got her into the boat, all 5 lbs.,14 ozs of her. "We 'high fived' and stood their laughing for what seemed like 15 minutes. We didn't even estimate the weight of our catch. We knew we were going to be tough to beat recalled McLaughlin" The two anglers came to the scales with an incredible sack of largemouth bass for any body of water. Their five fish totaled a staggering 23 lbs.,04 ozs. a new "All Time Club Record".. Included in this catch were three bass over 5 pounds, a 5.14, 5.13 and a 5.04. "I believe this record can be surpassed stated Slavis. This lake and a few others in the northeast are capable of giving up a 25 pound limit if you catch it right." One things for certain.....they sure caught it right on this day.
. Story By Ray Scully & Dave McLaughglin
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