Thursday, March 17, 2011

First Fishing Trip of the Season


Today was my first bluegill trip of this season, which proved to be successful. Walker County Lake is always a good producer early in the year. I started fishing today around , with a host of other individuals either fishing from a boat or just sitting on the bank. They were all enjoying being outdoors, especially with all the sunlight and warm temperatures. I fished for an hour without any success. I tried terrestrials, poppers and some weighted nymphs, all without a single hit. I could understand the top water turn downs, but the nymphs were supposed to produce. When I say nymphs I am talking about buggers. After the dry spell I decided to go back to the fly I used last year at this time, which was the black gnat in a size 6. This is really a unique little fly because it has the ability to stay fully dry looking in the water. In other words the fibers or hairs on this fly stays brushed outward from the body underwater. I really don’t know what attracts the fish to this fly but it was the life savior today. The minute I tied it on I started to feel and see action. I ended the day with this fly because I found nothing else would produce. The water temperature today was between 62 and 65, which meant the majority of the fish was still deep. I got most all my hits in depths of 5 feet or deeper. The gnat is perfect for this depth range, because all your hit comes on a slow fall. All you have to do is watch the line go and then set the hook------sounds simply and it is!! It was just good to back in the moment of catching gills on the fly. Everything that was on my mind today disappeared when I hit the water, what great therapy.
I was not the only one fising today.
This guy was really enjoying himself. He said he fishes 4 days a week--must be nice
Good catch today, considering everyone I talk to didn't have any fish or had caught one or two. I was the only one on the lake fly fishing. I was getting some weird looks with my # 4 weight. Notice the fillet knife guess where these will end up??


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12 comments:

  1. Bill S.March 17, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Looks like you finally got some action. Most of our water is still hard.

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  2. Michael AgnetaMarch 17, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Good stuff Bill. That's a nice mess of gills.

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  3. Bill TrussellMarch 18, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Michael
    I could go back today but other chores are waiting. Thanks for the comment

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  4. Bill TrussellMarch 18, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Bill
    This is the lake I use to fill the deep freeze with bluegill fillets. Last year was good but I hope this year is even better. I don't fish the lake after the first week in May, because that is when the caretaker dumps tons of fertilizer in the lake. It turns the water a slim green which turns me and other off. He fertilizes once every 5 to 6 weeks. Thanks for commnet

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  5. Mark KautzMarch 18, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    I wonder, if a Black Gnat works, would a Griffiths Gnat work too. It's seems to be a "go to" for Crappie out here.

    Mark

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  6. AnonymousMarch 18, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Like Bill S. said it is a little early for those of us who live out west. Especially, Idaho! But, I do love me some Bluegill and your post gets me all fired up.

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  7. J and M FliesMarch 19, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Nice outing Bill. I went out today for the first time and caught a bunch as well. I had to use a size 16 bead head black birds nest nymph to make it happen. Well done sir!

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  8. Bill TrussellMarch 20, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    The water temps are not warm enough for the tiny poppers yet, but in a few weeks it should happen. Thanks for the comment

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  9. Bill TrussellMarch 20, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Mel
    It may not be happening there yet, but you guys have got those awesome trout streams, and you can't beat that. Thanks for the comment

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  10. Bill TrussellMarch 20, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Mark
    I would think that the Griffith Gnat would work as well as the gnat. I am going to try it in Miss. next week for crappie. Thanks for the comment.

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  11. BlakeMarch 22, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    If only I could be on the water 4 days a week... great job on the first outing

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  12. Bill TrussellMarch 22, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Blake
    I am retired and can't seem to make to the lake but twice a week, and sometimes that is impossible. Thanks for the comment

    ReplyDelete

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