Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Landing Stripped Bass Using the Bouface Fly

I decided today I was going to fish the huge levee of Smith Dam and place the big Boggle Bug popper in and around the big boulders that were put in place when the lake was created. So with the boat launched, I proceeded to the east end of the levee where the depth finder was reading between 100 ft. to 110 ft. off the edge of steep rocks.  With the lake being low I could see the shelf bank that the low water revealed. I started with my 5wt. and made a long shoot cast right to the edge of the rock bank and let the popper sit idle for a few seconds and started a short jerk hop motion for about a 6 ft. run. This was the presentation I used throughout the early morning until the sun overtook the banks. With the levee being only 200 yards in length I had to make every cast count. The water was extremely clear and at times I could see the fish before I ever made the cast. The only problem was if you could see the fish then they could see you. So I made all the cast seated in the Bass Tracker. I found if I stood up the fish would spook and head for deeper water. The levee produced 3 nice spots for me all over the 12” mark using the idle jerk pop presentation.  The hits today were vicious.  I really like to fish this popper when the fish are really after it and this morning they meant to kill it. At the end of the levee, I debated whether to go back and fish it again or go to another area that I had fish last year. The other area got the vote and I worked that area the same way with the poppers but with no success, not because the sun was on the bank but because the topwater hit was over. You only have about an hour to fish the top before the fish turn off. So I switched to a fly that looks somewhat like a streamer but on a smaller scale called the Bouface Brown. Little did I know that this little # 6 fly was going to give me the best nymphing experience I have ever had with a fly rod on Smith Lake.  I positioned the boat so I could fish this long gravel point. I made a long cast across the point and starting stripping the fly back to me when I got a hit and landed a nice spot.
I was glad I was using the 5 wt. because it gave me that extra backbone I needed to fight the fish and land it. This activity lasted for about 20 minutes and in that time I landed one of the largest striped bass I have ever caught on the fly which was a 3.3 lb strip bass again with the Bouface. Using the fly rod on schooling strips who would have thought I started the day with 3 Bouface flies in the box and ended the day with none. I lost all three on break-offs on fish I never turned around. I got to do something today I had never done landing striped bass using the fly rod and it is something I will never forget. Today’s trip shows me that there are so many ways to enjoy this great sport.  

12 comments:

  1. Now those are some nice fish! Thanks for sharing!

    Tyler

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  2. Tyler
    I have never seen that many pods of schooling fish, in one place. I fish this lake a lot and have never witnessed that kind of feeding frenzy ever on this lake or any other lake. I may never see it again. Thanks for the comment.

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  3. Wow, Bill! Excellent post!
    I've never gotten into any white, striper or hybrids with a fly rod but I imagine it would be a lot of fun.
    Great job battling and landing those beasts!

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  4. Nice job on that STRIPER I would like to try one of those big mean fish, 5wt could be too small if you found one any bigger or more mad,, So were you saying that the fly out performed the lure? what else is new?
    again good post of the strip the fly strip it again and then a stripe

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  5. Josh
    I must admit the 5wt took a beating but came through with the best strip bass I have ever landed with the fly. I am kind of glad my fishing buddy refused the fly when I offered him one--because it enabled me to keep going after strip after strip. I don't know if I will ever encounter this spectacle again. Thanks for the comment

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  6. very nice...looks like a killer day....congrats

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  7. Pat
    Do ever have one of those fishing days when everything falls in place--Tuesday was that day for me. Thanks for the comment.

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  8. Chris
    This was an awesome trip, I had already had a great morning with the spots on the popper, but the strips were just an added bonus. Thanks for the comment.

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  9. Beautiful fish and it sounds like you had one great time. Next week my duties will slow down and I will hit the lake.

    Great post - have a great weekend.

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  10. Bill
    I have the time to go now because of my retirement. I retired 3 years ago and have never looked back. I am dong what I have always wanted to do, and that is fish when I want to. I can choose the best times to go which gives me a big advantage when it comes to being on the water. Thanks for the comment.

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  11. Bill, another enjoyable post! I've only had a couple of wipers on my 3wt and they were small (esp in comparison to yours) but very, very fun. Great looking Spots too! Sounds like you had a good trip out!

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  12. Will
    You can handle a nice size fish on your 3wt. With the cooler temps coming on it is the perfect time to fish the big popper. I will continue to fish it until the last of Oct. The great thing about the big popper is you eliminate the smaller fish. Most of the time the hit comes from a quality fish. Thanks for the comment.

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