Explaining The Slow Bite, After 10AM

 While fly fishing this past Tuesday in Ryan Creek on Smith Lake, I noticed the bite slowed after 10 o'clock. I also saw that the fish still interested in my poppers were extremely scattered. In other words, I was fishing a lot of dead water, which is water with basically no fish, with the exception of a few tiny bluegills in the shallows. 

 That trip on Tuesday caused me to share my own assumptions about why the bite slows during midday compared to daylight hours and why the bass and bluegill that were aggressive in the early morning hours change their feeding patterns in midday through mid-afternoon. 

I am going to limit my reasoning solely to the bass and bluegill species that I fish for in my home waters, Smith Lake and Walker County Lake. 

If you have followed my blog over the years, you know that my favorite time to fish is at daylight. Simply put, that is when the fish are the most active! Why is this? Because fish like bass, bluegill, or even trout often hunt best in low light, when their prey is less able to see them. Insects and small baitfish are more active or more vulnerable at dawn and dusk, making them an easy meal for a hungry bass or trout, and they are less visible to birds and surface predators during these times. Daylight and evening hours often bring cooler water temperatures, ideal for many species, especially in warm months. Cloudy or overcast skies subdue sunlight, mimicking dawn/dusk conditions, and will extend active feeding times. Cloud cover can also signal an incoming weather system, which often triggers a feeding frenzy before pressure drops. That is why I pay close attention to the barometric reading before and during the times I am on the water. 

If you fish long enough, as I have, you will notice the active feeding time during daylight hours lasts two to three hours, depending on cloud cover. The bite slows from 9 AM until midday because the high sun makes the fish more visible to predators, so they often retreat to cover or deeper water. The insects and baitfish may also retreat or hide during the heat of the day, reducing available food. 

Take heart, there are ways you can still land fish during the slow midday bite. First, I slow everything down, starting with my casting and boat movement, and develop more patience. The fish haven't developed lock-jaw at this time of day, but you must entice them to take your offering. Remember that the fish will not attack your popper as aggressively as daylight hours, so letting the fly sit motionlessly for at least 30 seconds or more will sometimes get a take if the fly is in a shaded area or near cover. I have noticed many times during a slow bite period that the fish will slap, swirl, and sip the bug. The slap, swirl, and sip routine is the time I change to a smaller popper in the form of a size 12 caddis, bogglebullet size 10, or the Orvis bream bug size 12. With these poppers, you are trying to create a quite stealthy presentation. I use my  9ft. 3 and 4-weight rods rigged with a 6X tippet instead of the normal 5X or 4X tippet used with my 5wt. or 6wt. fly rods with these flies. Most of the time, one of these three poppers will produce a take. Remember the amount of water you are covering with no fish in it. So when you encounter a fish to hit your offering during this period, make a great cast, present the fly as life-like as possible, and have the patience to let the fly sit until the water rings have disappeared. The slow bite can be rewarding and discouraging, but remember to stay positive and think every cast will produce a take!! LET'S GO FISHING!!!

Tuesday's Popper Action On Smith Lake

 

Tuesday was supposed to be a slow bite on Smith because two generators ran all morning, but the spotted bass and giant bluegill didn't get the report. The Mountain Laurels are in full bloom on the lake!

One of my former bloggers, Jay Eubanks, joined me for the early morning trip. It was good to fish with him again after a 6-year lapse. 

This spotted bass inhaled an olive boogle bug popper size 6 with little surface action. The bass had me thinking it was a bluegill that sucked the popper under. 

The big bluegill were hitting the olive popper as well. My only regret was not bringing my cooler to ice-down the six I could have dressed. Thanks to Jay for joining me on the trip. He and I will be making more Tuesday trips when his work schedule will allow him the time to go. 

I am down to one fly fishing buddy now, Jeff, who fishes with me on Thursday. My Tuesday guy quit fishing, can you believe that? Nobody quits fishing after fishing most of your life. As I said before I can count on one hand the indivduals who fly fish in Jasper.  

Back For More Bluegills+A Late Update

Early Thursday morning was cool, with winds gusting around 20 mph. However, that didn’t stop me from heading back to Walker County Lake to catch more bluegills before the influx of live bait fishermen took over during the upcoming spawn. The cool nights, with temperatures in the 30s and low 40s, had kept the fish from beginning their spawning activities.

I started fishing at 6:30 AM, dressed in a light jacket and armed with my 2 and 3-wt. fly rods. If you haven't tried landing bluegill using light fly rods, you are missing some fantastic action fly fishing. 

The water temperature was a cool 64 degrees, indicating that the fishing might be slow. In fact, I didn't land my first keeper until 8:30 AM—that's how slow it was! At this time of year, it's important not to assume what the fish will bite, and Thursday morning proved no exception.

This nice keeper was caught sub-surface, setting the tone for the trip. No fish were hitting surface poppers at all due to the windy conditions. Surface poppers work well on calm, cloudy days, but not when the wind is a factor.

The fish were hitting a tungsten crystal beadhead bugger weighing 1/16 of an ounce in water that was 5 to 6 feet deep. I had used this fly last year during the early spawn at Farmstead Lake, where my son Jason has a house. The strike is unmistakable, meaning the fish is trying to eat the fly for a meal.

The end result of the trip in the cooler was 10 nice bluegills for a nice meal. Ten bluegills will produce 20 fillets paired with hush puppies, cole slaw, and a touch of tarter sauce, oh, almost forgot a cold beverage such as tea or a cold Coors. 

Tip of the day: Consider switching to a heavier fly line if you anticipate encountering windy conditions on your fly fishing trip. I was using a 4 wt. line on my 3 wt. fly rod, and it really improved my casting for the morning.

Guys I had to share this 2 1/2 lb. plus largemouth that nailed my betts yellow bug this morning while fishing Walker Lake for the spawning bluegill. It was quite a fight landing this fish with my 2 wt. 7 1/2 ft. I wish I had video footage of the aerial jumps this bass made trying to dislogde the popper from its mouth. This fish made my morning along with the dozen big bull bluegill I kept.

Two Mornings of Bluegill Madness

I always look forward to the spring of the year because that's when I get to fish for one of my favorite species: the bluegill. This past week, I spent my time exploring Walker County Lake for early bluegills, searching for potential spawning areas. I usually start fishing the lake in the last week of March when the water temperatures begin to warm up, encouraging the fish to become active. 

Wednesday and Thursday were the best days to fish this week due to the warm temperatures in the high 70s. The water temperatures on both days were close to 78 degrees, with overcast skies, which is excellent for surface action. The only downside was the wind, which at times made it impossible to make a decent cast. Because of this, I left the lake both days as soon as it began white-capping, which was around 10 AM. I started each day at 6 AM, giving me roughly 3.5 hours to explore.

On Wednesday morning, both of my 7.5-foot fly rod combos were rigged with size 10 surface poppers. I prefer these very small poppers for early spring fishing because they spook the fish less in the clear water and make a lighter landing on the surface than larger poppers. 

I managed to land numbers of bluegill this size using a size 10 Boogle Bug and a Betts popper, which produced consistent action all morning. However,the bite was’t fast and furious; I had to work for every hit. Don’t expect the bluegill to be near the shore this early in the season; almost all the fish I landed were caught about 10 to 12 feet from the bank in deeper water. The key to getting a bite was to let the popper sit motionless for a few seconds and then barely move it to capture their attention. I also tried a tiny beadhead Wooly Bugger in the deep water, but it didn’t produce any interest.

On my way home Wednesday morning, I was really fired up for Thrusday's trip because I knew I would have the same poppers tied on my 2 and 3-weight fly rods. I arrived again at 6 AM, and by the time I got my Pelican boat in the water and trolled to my starting spot, it was 6:15 AM. I began with the same routine as the previous day, casting both the Boogle Bug and the Betts popper. 

After about 20 minutes, I noticed that the fish weren’t coming to the surface to hit either popper. It was time to experiment, so I tried the beadhead Wooly Bugger and the black gnat, but neither produced any results. As the morning went on and I fished different areas of the lake with no bluegill landed, I remembered a few years ago when I faced a similar situation. At that time, tying on a blue size 10 Boogle Bullet had saved my trip, so I decided to give it a shot. I had one left in my fly box, so I tied it on my 2-weight rod. 

It proved to be the winner of the morning showing a few of the two day catch. What amazed me was how the fish were hitting it. They would swirl at the popper and gently nudge it. The hits were so soft that I had to watch the popper closely to ensure I had a fish on. This popper is designed to go underwater when moved, which made it enticing to fish that weren’t interested in surface action, as they would perceive it as wounded and inhale it. 

The two morning trips brought my total to 32 that I dressed for future meals. I did notice during both trips that these bluegill are not the monsters I use to catch in this lake. I think fishing pressure is taking a toll on the lake. In other words, all the bluegill that spawn in this lake this year won’t be here next year. The live bait fishermen will likely catch all that are on the beds between now and the end of the spawning cycle. This is one reason I always fish the lake early; the other reason is that the fertilizing cycle will begin at the end of this month.

Looking back on these two days, I feel like I got my season off to a good start. In the coming weeks, I will be posting about my trips to Smith Lake, where I’ll be fishing for spotted bass and, yes, those huge bluegills there!

Another Year Another Season

 My fishing season this year started this past Wednesday. According to my official Accu weather amp, Tuesday and Wednesday would be the key days to toss some flies to see if I can could attract some bluegill and red-eyed bass to eat. I am a big believer in weather conditions that affect whether a fish will feed or get lockjaw on any given day. Some of the factors I note when planning a fishing trip are the barometer reading, wind direction, cloud cover, water temperature, and freshwater after heavy rain. I look for a dropping barometer reading, especially when rain or a storm is approaching. I've landed more fish on days when the wind was from the west or south, which can bring stable weather and warmer water, which will, in turn, cause the fish to be more active, especially in the daylight or late evening hours of the day. I like to fish on cloudy days because the fish will hoover around cover to feed without worrying about being attacked by birds of prey or animals. The water temperature is what I watch most when fishing in early spring and late fall. The magic spawning number for bass is 50 to 60 degrees. Bluegill and crappie typically begin spawning when water temperatures reach the mid-60s Fahrenheit, with the peak spawning occurring slightly warmer, around 68 to 70 degrees. 

My Tuesday trip was not that productive this past week because the water temperature was still below 56 degrees, which is too cold for any top-water action. 

I did land a few small bluegills and one quality gill, fishing with small poppers and letting the poppers sit motionless and wait for the ripples to disappear. In other words, patience was the key to getting a take. I spent most of the morning maneuvering around other boats, fishing in some areas where I usually land fish. I knew the morning would be slow, but I was on the water doing something I enjoyed. 

Small Arbor Fly Reeds Verses Large Arbor Fly Reels

 I have always been detail-oriented regarding the design of fishing reels and rods. Once I started fly fishing, attention to detail and design became even more critical than with baitcasting equipment. Fly fishing transformed into a finesse style for me, capturing my interest years ago. Now, I focus more on the fly rod and reel than any other component of fly fishing. 

I've discussed the characteristics I appreciate in a fly rod in a previous post, so in this post, I would like to explore the advantages of large arbor and small arbor fly reels. Many fly fishermen will say that the reel is secondary to the fly rod; however, others argue that the reel should be comparable in price to the rod being used. For instance, if you're using a fly rod priced at $500 or more, then the reel could be in that same price range. In reality, a $100 reel could perform just as well. Often, reel choices are made when you purchase your fly rod. The following text is my assessment of the small and large arbor fly reels.

A small arbor reel is lighter and more compact, which can better balance lighter fly rods, providing a more comfortable feel during casting and retrieving. There are no strict rules for pairing a small arbor reel with a light fly rod, or a large arbor reel with a 5/6 weight fly rod. Small reel combinations, such as with a 2/3 weight and 7 to 7.5-foot fly rod, are ideal for small streams and confined areas in small and larger lakes. You'll experience a slower line retrieval rate with a smaller reel, which can give you better control when playing a fish. Additionally, a small arbor reel doesn't require long casts. The most line I have on all my fly reels is 90 feet without any backing, as I'm targeting species that don't require long runs. 

I have five of these Glooomis Fly Reels that are small arbor with a 3 1/4 " diameter. They are light and balance well on all the fly rods I fish. I like the free-spool action on these reels, which enables me to take up a tremendous amount of line while fighting a fish. Notice the backing on this reel, which I have never used. I bought the reel on eBay.

In some situations, a larger arbor reel is necessary, especially when fishing larger rivers or for faster fish that require a more significant amount of line. A large arbor reel provides faster line retrieval and less line memory. While both reels have advantages, I prefer small arbor reels for the reasons I mentioned in this post. 

I suspect that most fly fishermen never utilize the backing or all the fly line on their large arbor reels when fishing for trout, bass, or even striped bass. This statement is likely true for those of us who also use small arbor reels. Ultimately, all that line is there just to fill the spool on the fly reels! So, which fly reel do you choose when fishing your favorite river, stream, or lake?

My 2008 Summer Fly Fishing Classes

 

I remember when I truly connected with fly fishing. It was the summer of 2008, right after I retired in August. Let me explain what I mean by "connected," which takes me back to my childhood when I learned to use the fly rod my dad used to catch bass and bluegill in the pond on our property. This is where I learned how to cast, fight, and land a fish; fast forward to 2008, when I found myself reconnecting with fly fishing, which became my favorite way to fish from that point on.

My first setup was a Walmart Eagle Claw large arbor reel and rod combo, a 5/6 weight 8 feet long. I was new to understanding factors like rod weight, fly line, leader, tippet, medium-action versus fast-action rods, different sizes of arbor reels, and a host of other factors. Honestly, I just wanted a fly rod to catch some bluegill.

It wasn't until I started fishing with a gentleman older than me that summer that I began to learn about the mechanics of fly fishing. I attended classes all summer on Smith Lake and into the fall with Ivan, soaking up everything I could learn about the sport. I had spent the last 20 years on Smith Lake catching spotted bass using baitcasting and spinning reels with a couple of bass fishing buddies I had connected with after moving to Jasper from Tupelo. Unfortunately, coaches tend to move around a lot, and one of my friends relocated during the summer, leaving me with only one buddy to fish with on weekends. Fortunately, Ivan, my retired fly fishing companion, fished with me for a couple of days during the week, which was much better fishing conditions than on a weekend.

It didn't take long for me to realize that Ivan had much better equipment than my Walmart combo. He used two setups: a Redington Trout Special 4 wt. medium action and an 8 1/2 ft. Temple Fork fast action 5/6 wt. His 4 wt. was for topwater action, while he used the Temple Fork for streamers and wooly buggers. Occasionally, he would fish with a 3 wt during the bluegill spawn, but most of our trips involved him using the 4 and 5 wt. fly rods.

I remember my first outing with him at dawn on Smith Lake, fishing in nooks that had a lot of overhanging foliage close to the water's surface. I was fishing from the front of the boat while he fished from the back. He landed twice as many fish as I did that morning by placing his popper just a foot away from the bank under the foliage. He was a master at low-side casting from both his left and right shoulder. The low left shoulder cast was the one he used all the time when we fished together. He was also skilled at the roll cast, which he employed when casting from his right shoulder. Meanwhile, I frequently got snagged in the foliage, trying to get my fly underneath the tree limbs with a right shoulder low cast. Thus, my initial learning sessions focused on placing flies under the overhanging branches, mastering the roll cast, and executing low-side shoulder casts. While I was proficient with the traditional overhead cast for distance, these other casting techniques helped me land more fish that first season with Ivan.

By the end of the season, I had sold my Walmart combo and purchased a Redington 4 wt. medium action rod, a 5 wt. Redington fast action 9 ft. rod, and as a bonus, I used my retirement savings to purchase a 3 wt. 9 ft. Greys Streamflex, fly rod. Of all the things I learned that summer, the casting tips are ones I still use to this day. During that time, I also spent many hours watching fly fishing videos to absorb as much knowledge as possible. I am still learning on every trip I make now, and I'm grateful for that summer of 2008 spent fishing with my best fly-fishing buddy ever, Ivan. 

Fly Fishing Bargains

 

Hi Guys

Do you prefer to find fly fishing bargains at a local fly shop or online? Personally, I haven't seen many great deals at fly shops. I dislike being overcharged for anything, and in today's world, you can often find products at lower prices online. Thanks to the internet, numerous bargains are available if you want to spend a little time searching for them. 

Let’s start with the two most essential accessories for fly fishing: the fly rod and reel. You can find a good deal on a fly rod that looks, feels, and casts like the expensive Sage or Orvis Helios fly rods, which cost thousands of dollars. The two fly rods I have used for years are the Streamflex and the Redington models. These rods are reasonably priced at around $200 to $300. While that might seem pricey to some, you're still getting a rod that emulates the characteristics of high-end fly rods available today.

When it comes to fly reels, I am a strong believer in small arbor fly reels versus large arbor fly reels. I'll explain the reasoning behind this statement in another post. Two of the best bargains for small arbor fly reels is the Piscifun Sword and the Gloomis Free Spool retreive fly reel. This reel had been discontinued by Gloomis why I don't know but the quailty is outstanding. I own four of this reels in the 3/4 wt. and use all of them on my four through six weight fly rods. That should tell you how impressed I am with this one fly reel. The only place you can buy the reel in on Ebay usaully at 150 bucks or less. New this fly reel once sold for over 300 bucks. The last Gloomis fly reel I bought on Ebay was a couple of years ago. My son uses all Gloomis reels and the Piscifun on his fly rods. I’m impressed with the lightweight design, smooth drag, and overall construction, of the Piscifun fly reel not to mention its attractive color scheme. At an affordable price of $50, this reel is a fantastic bargain. I know the Gloomis is pricey but the free spool retreive and the lightness and the small arbor is what sold me. 

Overall, the fly rod and reel are typically the most expensive components of fly fishing. This is why it's essential to research the best rods and reels that fit your budget, ensuring you’re not overpaying or undervaluing your purchase.

When it comes to fly lines and leaders, you can also save money with some research. My choices for affordable fly lines and leaders are the SF fly line and the Piscifun brand, which I have been using for the past four years. I have the Piscifun and SF fly lines spooled on my 2, 3, 4, and 5-weight fly rods. I’m particularly impressed the low memory and how quickly the lines loads, allowing for a smooth presentation without tangles. Both companies, SF and Piscifun, sell their leaders in six-packs in 7.5 ft and 9 ft lengths, ranging from 2X to 7X, at an excellent price of $10!

I save on tippet line by using 2lb, 4 lb, and 6 lb fishing line spools, either fluorocarbon or monofilament, which I purchase at Walmart. I never use the tippet end of any of the leaders I buy. I am a big believer in using tippet rings and small swivels. I use tippet rings when fishing for trout and swivels when fishing for bass and bluegill with surface poppers and dry flies. The swivel is a lifesaver for eliminating twists in the tippet line. My leaders last me two to three seasons because I only replace the tippet end of the leader using the tippet ring. I go through a lot of tippet lines in one season.

There are many places to purchase flies and poppers online and at fly shops. I never pay over 90 cents for a fly, including nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. The FlyShack is my go-to shop for all things flies. I've been dealing with this company for years and even have several of their stickers on my 10-foot Pelican boat. While everything else on this site is priced a bit high for me, their fly deals attract customers, which certainly caught my attention. All of my poppers are purchased from Breambugs, which stocks top-quality products. I have been using their poppers for years. The popper is the one item I’m willing to spend more on if they produce well. For small items like nippers and forceps, I use the Orvis brand. Sure, they cost a little more, but I need both items to withstand the test of time, and they certainly deliver. There’s nothing worse than trying to cut excess line from a clinch knot with cheap nippers or dealing with flimsy forceps when removing a fly from a fish's mouth.

In today's economy, it's crucial to be mindful of the prices we pay for anything, regardless of whether you are retired, married with children, or single. I hope today’s post can help anyone considering taking up fly fishing for the first time, or even those of us who have enjoyed the sport for years. 

I have roughly 50 days left until the start of my season this year. The best days for me to fish are Tuesdays and Thursdays, certainly not on weekends, I can't wait!!

Getting Your Fly Fishing Equipment Ready For Spring

 

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. It seems as I get older, the holidays come around faster. As I have said numerous times, winter is my least favorite season, and we have at least two months—January and February—where the weather isn’t suitable for fishing, at least for me here in Alabama. So, I spend some of my time working on projects for my grandchildren, son, and daughter.

I also use the winter months to get my fly fishing gear ready for the upcoming season. Cleaning my fly line and fly reels is one of the first things I do during this time. I like to use a little petroleum jelly to rub inside the reel’s drag and the spool’s inner clogs. I never use oils or grease of any kind on the internal workings of my fly reels. To clean the fly line, I use a few drops of dishwashing detergent mixed in a glass of water and clean the length of the line with a small dish towel to rub off any dirt and stains collected on the line.

I also resupply my fly boxes with extra flies to replace all those flies and poppers that have lost some of their color, hackle, or rubber legs. I always keep extra flies and poppers because you never know when one of those poppers or dries become your star pattern on any given day of fishing. In other words, when I purchase a fly or popper, I usually buy at least four and sometimes six if they are reasonably priced.

I also keep my waders and boots in great shape. This will be my first year wading with cleats screwed into the felt soles of my wading boots. The felt alone doesn’t prevent slipping and falling on those moss-covered rocks on the Sipsey.

I charged the batteries in my Tracker boat and the one I used to power my ten-foot Pelican boat. Batteries will lose power if you don’t charge them at least once a month during winter. I keep all my fly rods in their carrying tubes during winter. You never know when one of those sensitive tips could get broken.

I still remember thieves stealing at least $1,800 worth of fly rod combos hanging on the wall in our garage when we lived in another subdivision years ago. The first mistake I learned was never to leave your garage door open during the day. The second was displaying my fly rods. I never recovered any of them.

For me, the season will begin in the first week of March. Of course, that depends on the weather, but I can hope for an early winter warm-up. I checked my blog a couple of weeks ago to see when I started fly fishing in March, and I found one post from 2020 showing I was landing some nice gills using a gnat during that time of year.

The closer spring gets, the more excited I am for another great season. I’m really looking forward to this season because my wife, Cathey, will be fishing with me using a fly rod. We've been working on her casting in the yard, and she is progressing. She should be a pro by the end of the summer.

The Wooly Bugger

 If you are a fly fisherman, you have fished the Wooly Bugger at one time or another. It is one of the most effective and versatile flies in fly fishing. It can be tied to imitate various prey, such as baitfish, leeches, and crawfish. One can tie Wooly Buggers in various sizes, colors, and materials to match local conditions or target specific fish. The possibilities are endless. I like sizes 4,6 and 8, and for bluegill, the sizes 10 and 12 are killers. The marabou tail and lots of hackle around the body create a natural motion in the water, which fish find irresistible. 

The black and brown colors have produced more hits than any color I have fished. i use the conehead bugger with no weight and no sink-tip line. The chartreuse with the red tungsten bead head in size 12 is excellent for attracting bluegill. Be prepared to lose a few of these size 12 bluegill buggers because after a few big gills inhale it the tail hackle begins to thin. If the fly produces, I don't mind the thinning of the hackle. 

I remember landing this 3 lb spotted bass in early spring on Smith Lake a couple of years ago fishing the black version of the bugger. That morning, the take and the fight put a bend in my 6wt. that I still remember to this day. My favorite way to fish the bugger is to retrieve it slowly to mimic a leech or struggling prey. I seldom add weight because of hang-ups, and why use a weight when a sink tip leader gets the bug down slower than a weight tied into your line?

This fly is super easy to fish and can put more fish in your net when other flies fail.

This will be my last post for this year, so here's wishing everyone who follows Fishing Through Life a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

The Time Proven Caddis Fly

I am often asked, at times, what is your all-time favorite surface fly to fish on the Sipsey Tailrace and Simth Lake during the Spring and Summer months? My response is the Caddis dry fly. For this post, I will only cover the surface aspects of this fly, not the subsurface stages the fly goes through to become airborne. Why is the fly so effective in fly fishing? It's a staple in the diet of many fish species, particularly trout, and it's so realistic that it can trigger fish to strike it even when other flies don't produce. Caddis flies are widespread in streams and rivers across many regions, making them a familiar and reliable food source for fish. When a hatch occurs, fish actively hunt them, making caddis fly patterns incredibly productive. They have a unique, skittering movement across the water surface when they emerge to the surface film. Skittering can produce an automatic bluegill, bass, or trout strike that might otherwise be a static fly. 

The presentation of the caddis plays an integral part in the angler getting the fish's attention. I strive to get the fly to light on the water's surface as if it fell off an overhanging limb on the bank or if it has just touched the water's surface lightly. Most of the time, no movement of the fly is needed to get attention from bluegill, bass, or trout, but a slight movement of your tippet will guarantee a hit if the fish is near. 

I use Fly Shack patterns when fishing at Smith Lake and the Sipsey Tailrace. For Smith Lake, sizes 8 and 10 work best, while for the Sipsey, I prefer sizes 14 and 16. I only opt for a larger Caddis pattern at the Sipsey when I fish it as an indicator, rigged with a small nymph underneath.

As most of you know, dry flies need help staying afloat, whether in choppy water or on calm days. Over the past couple of years, I have experimented with different types of floatants, and this year, the product that really got my attention was the Fly Shack brand "Stay Dry." I used it this year and found that I could fish the fly for several hours before reapplying the solution; it’s an excellent product!

When other flies fail to attract fish, it often indicates that the fish are either uninterested in what is being offered or are spooked by unnatural presentations. Due to its realistic movement and variety of color patterns, the caddis fly is one that I will continue to use for the rest of my fishing days.

 

Using the Drag or Stripping Line to Land a Fish Fly Fishing???

 

Question: What is your favorite method of landing a fish using the fly rod? Are you stripping the fly line to bring the fish to the net or utilizing the reel-and-drag system to reel the fish to the net? Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. 

The first method I learned to land a fish using a fly rod was fly fishing with my dad. I used my hand to pull in the line instead of using the reel to get the fish to the net. I still use the hand pull or stripping method, but it depends on where I am fishing, whether it is a lake or stream. 

If I am fishing the tailrace or shallow water, I depend on hand-lining the fish. It gives me quicker time to fight and control the fish. I can feel the fish’s movement more directly, and it's easier for me to adjust the tension by hand, which I have found can be crucial with delicate presentations or lighter tippets. This is the method I use when fishing for smaller fish on the tailrace and in smaller bodies of water such as Walker Lake. I am using  2 and 3 wt. fly rods when fishing in both places, so I rarely used the drag on the reel. 

I have also found that stripping the line can produce problems. You have to be very careful about managing the slack line in your hand. If the line gets tangled or wrapped around something, it could cause you to lose the fish. This has happened to me numerous times, especially in the boat. The excess fly line acts like a magnet in a boat or on the banks of a stream and hooks anything it comes in contact with. It drives me wild sometimes!

I've learned that stripping the line trying to land a big fish has caused me to lose quality fish. A break-off could occur when a bigger fish makes a fast run because you cannot apply consistent pressure.

My favorite way to land quality fish fly fishing is to get it on the reel. Which involves letting the fish take the slack out of the line until it is tight on the reel and then using the reel and drag system to fight and land the fish. Once the line is on the reel, you don't have to worry about the excess line getting tangled or snagged. I seldom lose the fish when using the drag on the reel. The drag system on your reel provides a smooth, consistent resistance that can tire out bigger fish more effectively and protect lighter tippet from breaking. 

The drag system does have a few drawbacks. I've had bigger fish to get into cover because I have too much slackline out, mainly because of a long cast. The slack line sometimes gives the fish time to throw the hook or swim into cover. If your drag isn’t set correctly for the fish you're fighting, it could either be too tight, leading to a broken tippet, or too loose the fish, allowing it to swim too far and get free.

 What's your favorite method to land a fish fly fishing? 

Epic Day Fly Fishing

 This post follows up on the one I did a couple of weeks ago, which involved Jason's fishing trips to Smith Lake with me and our trip to Oak Mountain State Park for some top action using the Boggle poppers. 

For those unfamiliar with the park, it is the largest park in Alabama, covering 11,644 acres, and with the new addition of the 1600 acres of Belcher, trach, which has two small 15-acre lakes, it will become even larger. The main park has three larger lakes, each covering 85 acres and one covering 75 acres. The 75-acre lake has a beech and paddle boats to rent. Miles and miles of trials are available for those who enjoy hacking. 

Jason and I decided to fish on the 85-acre Beaver Lake this past Sunday morning at daylight using my 10E Pelican boat. We were the only ones fishing the lake, which was a plus because you don't need someone fishing ahead of you, either landing the fish you are trying to catch or disturbing fish that may not be hitting another individual's bait. 

It was a perfect fall morning to cast some poppers without dealing with humidity. We were working the edges of weed beds using a smaller version of the boggle popper in size 6. The water was extremely clear, and I've found that a smaller popper works best in clear water as opposed to a larger popper. Within thirty minutes of fishing, Jason proved my point. 

He landed this giant largemouth using his 8 fl. Temple Fork 4wt fly rod paired with a 7 1/2 ft. leader tipped with 5X tippet. The fish hit light, making us think it was a smaller bass or bluegill. The minute it inhaled the popper, it went for the weeds instead of the deep water. Jason was able to lead the fish back into deep water, and after a 3-minute tug of war, I netted the fish for him. It was the largest bass he ever landed using the fly rod, making it special. This bass was the largest bass ever landed by a Trussell fly fishing. It was an epic morning for Jason, and I am glad I was along for the ride. A few smaller bass were taken before we left, but nothing compared to this fish, which was released to fight another day. 

If you want to see how he managed to get the fish to the boat without the bass breaking his fly rod and tippet, take a look at the video. You will see my fly line in the water, which got tangled with the fish, but it didn't affect getting the bass to the net. 

Guys, I had no scales or tape measure in the boat, but we both agreed it was between 5 and 6 lbs.

Some Fall Top Water Action

 There is nothing like landing bass on top during October, especially if you are fishing with your son. Jason is home for a couple of weeks. We launched at Duncan Bridge on Smith Lake this past Tuesday morning and fished the main channel north of the Duncan bridge. 

We were blessed to witness one of the most scenic early morning sunrises ever on Smith Lake. Of course, that is our opinion. 

The blue Boggle Bug size 8 was the popper that got the most attention for the morning. Jason landed this largemouth by moving the popper slowly. Notice the scar on its side, evidence of something attacking the fish.

This largemouth may have been wounded, but it still had enough fight to engage the drag on Jason's fly reel numerous times.

 I landed this bass on my second cast right after we launched the boat. Little did I know that would be the only quality bass I would land for the morning. As stated before, the blue popper was the winner for the morning.  Guess who had the only blue Boggle Bug popper?

Fall and spring seem to bring out aggressive hits using poppers on Smith, as shown in this video right after the sun hit the rock wall where the bass was feeding. This fish hit the popper 10 to 12 ft. from the base of the wall. I've learned, and Jason has learned, to always work the popper some distance from the wall before you make your next cast. The fish will follow the popper some distance before they decide to nail it. You've got to love this fall fishing!!

A side note: I really enjoyed today's trip because it was my first fall trip for this year. I mentioned this in one of my previous posts, but I have only one guy to fly fish with now, and he will not be able to join me again until next spring. I do have individuals who fish, but they are not into fly fishing like me. There is a big difference in having someone in the boat with you who loves the sport as much as you do. 

 

My Forgotten Bluegill Web Page

 Three weeks ago, I was following my afternoon routine of enjoying my afternoon coffee while scrolling through some of my old fishing folders. Surprisingly, I discovered the Bluegill website page I created in 2010 on the BLUEGILL-BIG BLUEGILL WEBSITE. In fact, that was the year I created my fishing blog, Fishing Through Life. I was using the Bluegill site to connect with bluegill fishermen nationwide. I decided to create a few posts to reconnect with some of my bluegill buddies on the site. If you would like to take a look, follow my page link, Bluegill-Big Bluegill---

The main reason I stopped posting on the site was finding time. I found it challenging to post on the Bluegill site and share info on my Fishing Through Life blog, not to mention work and attending tennis matches involving our son and daughter at the time. In other words, my wife and I were busy working, and time was limited 15/16 years ago: thank goodness for retirement! 

Quote of the day: Enjoy every minute of fly fishing from March through June!!

 

Waiting For CoolerTempertures

 When is the best time to land fish using the fly rod? August stands out as the least productive month, particularly for warm-water species. Bass and Bluegill tend to retreat to deeper waters during the hottest times of the year, typically July and August when surface temperatures can reach a scorching 87/88 degrees. However, as the water begins to cool in late September and October, the fish become more active, marking a significant shift in behavior. 

The tailrace gets most of my attention during these summer months. I would rather stand in 58-degree water than sit in the boat and wipe sweat from my forehead. 

This past Tuesday's trip on the tailrace was my first outing to fish the tailrace in a while. Why? It is hard to leave landing the spotted bass and super-sized gills on the lake during April, May, and June, the prime times to fish the lake. 

I arrived at the parking lot at 6 a.m. and discovered I was the only one there. Great, I will fish a couple of holes near access six. Before I suited up, I walked down the metal walkway to check the water lever and saw the generators had been on early that morning. I knew then I would have to wait at least an hour or more for the water to recede before I could wade anywhere near the areas I would fish. So I sat in the truck and reorganized my five fly boxes while listening to my sevenies songbook on my flash drive. 

Finally, the water receded, and I reached access six to fish my first pocket hole. The water was lower than I expected. Neither pocket hole produces any trout. I used my Euro nymphing 10' 4"  fly rod paired with my Orvis fly reel. I'm still learning to detect a take, especially in a slow current. I soon discovered I was battling two enemies: the bright sun lighting up the areas I was fishing and a tremendous amount of fishing pressure the week before. So I looked for shade, which was above access six. I sit up in a hole and run. I had fished many times before. I am now into my fourth fly change. I selected a size 12 pheasant tail as my point fly and added a size 18 green midge as my upper fly. My tippet ring was tied about 16" above the point fly. I use the tippet ring so I don't have to keep tying knots when changing flies above the point fly.

Cast after cast, in the first run, didn't produce a trout, but I didn't lose hope. Moving to deeper water, I finally landed my first trout. The take was light, but I was proud of detecting the hit. I am still learning to land a trout using the long Euro rod, but I am getting better with every trip. This form of fly fishing will be my mode of fishing in this place because of the amount of fishing pressure it endures. The rest of today's trip enabled me to practice my casting technique mainly because the trout developed lockjaw. As I was leaving and walking up the incline back to the truck, I remembered this hit song by "Three Dog Night" in the seventies, "One is the loneliness number," which might have been the feeling of the lone trout I landed today. But for me, it was a great way to spend the morning. 

Still Landing a Few Fish on Smith Lake---PATIENCE!!!

 The extreme heat is a killer during the summer months, not only for the fish you are pursuing on Smith Lake, but it takes a toll on the person doing the fishing. The only way to enjoy fishing this time of year is to be on the water before dawn, fish for three hours, and leave before the sun takes over and the humidity gets unbearable. Cathey and I followed that plan to the letter this past Tuesday when we left the house at 4:30 and started fishing at 5:15. No hot sun and no humidity to cause your clothes to get wet. In the deep South, roughly six months are considered prime fishing months: March, April, May, June, October, and most of November. Early Spring, starting in March through June, is exceptional. The water temps are warming up, and the spawn is on for the bass and bluegill during these months. The fish are hungry after a long winter of eating very little and will eat almost anything thrown their way. October is another month that is an excellent time to toss topwater lures and poppers. The fish are stocking up for the winter months. Some of my best topwater action is in October, not for the bluegill, but the spotted and largemouth bass are very active during October. 

The dog days of summer cause me to look forward to all these months every year. The only negative aspect of Spring and Fall every year is that I get a year only when these months come around. The positive aspect is landing many fish during these months, so the positive outweighs the negative when considering the fishing part. 

This was one greedy bass; it not only wanted to inhale the Bea's Popper I was fishing, but once I landed the fish, I noticed a small bluegill in its throat with only the tail of the bluegill showing. It put up quite a fight on my 3 wt. This would be my only bass for the three-hour trip.

My 3 wt. was really put to the test when landing this nice bull gill. The fight was equal to the spotted bass I landed earlier that morning. This would be my only keeper. I did land a few small gills, but they were not worth keeping

Cathey, fishing with crickets and her 8-foot ultra-light spinning rod combo, won the bluegill total. I am still trying to teach her to use the fly rod. Hopefully, she will be using it before next year's spawn.