On a trip w/ my kids to Peppermint Creek in the Kern drainage last weekend I noticed the same drop in size of Pautzkys(sp?). I was having a hard time burying an egg hook inside of them that was a size smaller than I used to use. The kids caught several Little Kern Goldens and a few stockers using them while I struggled with the brush and my flyrod. I still managed 8 LKGs and 1 stocker.
If you leave the jar open for a while they toughen up a little. Just make sure to check them regularly so they don't toughen too much. If they get too tough add 2 drops of water and close the jar. Of course you probably already know that, but maybe a newb can use the advise.
Tight lines,
Wade