Cracking Clinton
Captain’s Log
Clinton Lake, Kansas July 10, 2026
The alarm sounded at 4:00 a.m., but before stepping outside I looked through the front door to see lightning flashing across the southwestern horizon. A line of thunderstorms was moving through the area, so I made the decision to crawl back into bed for another couple of hours rather than rush the launch. It proved to be the right call.
After the storms passed, I launched at approximately 6:30 a.m. Conditions were encouraging. An east wind rippled the surface, skies remained overcast for a time before giving way to sunshine, and the water temperature had dropped slightly to 83°F. After spending part of the week retooling my tackle, adding several new crankbait patterns, and rigging additional trolling rods, I was eager to see whether the changes would make a difference.
I spent the morning trolling with three rods, covering a wide variety of water while searching for suspended fish. The action remained slow. By midday I had boated one white bass and one respectable hybrid wiper before calling it a day around noon.
Although the catch was modest, the day wasn’t without lessons. The most painful was donating three crankbaits to submerged brush piles. It was an expensive reminder that productive fish-holding cover often comes with risk. Going forward, I need to pay closer attention to running depth around structure, experiment with presentations that stay just above the cover, and make wider passes around known brush.
I’m beginning to realize that becoming proficient on Clinton Lake isn’t about discovering a single secret lure. It’s about patiently assembling a collection of observations until a reliable pattern finally emerges. Every trip, even the slow ones, adds another piece to the puzzle.
Back home, another consequence of the morning storms awaited. The swimming pool was littered with leaves, twigs, and debris, requiring another lengthy cleanup before it could be enjoyed. It reinforced a thought that’s been surfacing often lately: I enjoy having a pool because I love swimming on hot Kansas afternoons, but I don’t enjoy maintaining it.
That realization mirrors a broader theme that’s emerged throughout this season. Whether it’s boats, homes, HOA responsibilities, or now the pool, I consistently enjoy the experiences they provide far more than the ongoing stewardship they require.
It fits squarely within the philosophy of Essential Living:
Finish what matters. Release what doesn’t. Simplify what remains.
The fishing may still be a mystery, but the direction of life is becoming increasingly clear.
