Monday was my first trip this year for me to fish for the Kentucky Spots using the fly rod on Smith Lake. I started out using a size 4 Boggle Bug in dark turquoise on my 4 wt. After a few minutes of casting I discovered that the size 4 popper was a little too much bug for the 4 wt because it required to much effort to get the distance I wanted. I had my 5 wt with me but it was rigged with a cream Wooly Bugger. I usually fish the size 4 Boggle Bugs with the 5 wt, but I needed the backbone of the 5 wt for the Buggers, to help with hook set. With all that said I lost the lone Spot of the morning on the turquoise popper, and never got to stretch the leader again with that fly. The top water action was not happening so I decide to go to the Wooly bugger and a Craw. I did manage to land two Spots using a cream bugger and the other three spots was landed using a unique craw pattern tied by Pat Cohen from the blog Warm Water Journal. This craw is amazingly life like, and will be one of my top producing flies this season. Pat ties some exceptional flies and this pattern is just one of many he ties. The spots in this lake feed heavily on crawfish and this fly is the perfect imitation to entice big hits. The down side of this whole trip was the fact I only got to fish an hour, because my crack battery went out. I have learned over the years if you own a boat, there is always something that is going wrong with it, and today was an example.
Good fight on the 5wt--the lake is super clear so this spot had no trouble seeing the Craw. I expect to land some larger Spot using this fly.
This Craw pattern is going to be a winner on this lake for me, because the bass have not seen anything like this pattern before
Good looking fish!
ReplyDeleteexcellent man...I'm glad they brought you some bassy goodness...
ReplyDeleteNo bass caught on my recent trip to the South...but I will surely try again someday! Have you checked out the my contest?
ReplyDeleteWhen I come down, I'll bring an extra battery just to be safe. Good to see you had some success during your brief outing. Pat ties some amazing flies. I'm sure his flies would catch bass anywhere.
ReplyDeleteJay
ReplyDeleteWhat made me sick was the bass was on and I was off with battery problems-----a lot of WAS there but you get the picture-------The Spots are hitting good right now. I didn't get anything over 13" but that size puts up a good fight. Just let me know when there is a good time for you. I will be gone all next week to my daughters, but I will be back by next weekend. Looking forward to our trip.
River
ReplyDeleteThe Gnat can be used for the trout as well as bass. The guy who ties these said he has a buddy in Arkansas who fishes the Gnat on the White River. He said he has caught browns using the Gnat under an indicator, and sometime tight lining. So on your next outing for trout give it a try.
Sanders
ReplyDeleteI was a little disappointed in that the trip was cut short. I will be back next Tuesday to give it another try with a new battery to boot. Thanks for the comment
Pat
ReplyDeleteI feel this Craw has the potential to attract some big fish. I fully expect to land Spots in excess of 3 lbs. or over. My record Spot on this lake with the fly is 3 ½ lbs. This was the post http://btrussell-fishingthroughlife.blogspot.com/2010/10/largest-i-have-ever-landed.html for the 3 ½ lb Spot. Thanks for turning out such great flies that really get awesome hits.
Beautiful striping on that bass! Looks like a great day....cheers!
ReplyDeletee.m.b.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment---and thanks for becoming a follower of Fishing Through Life. Hope you enjoy some of the upcoming post.
Bummer about the battery but I'm glad you got into a few Spots! Beautiful fish, and yes Pat ties some outstanding looking flies.
ReplyDeleteChris
ReplyDeleteI seem to have more problems with batteries than anything else when it come to my fishing trips. I hope to make another trip on Tuesday, and stay a little longer. Thanks for comment
Hey, I caught a huge bream on the fly rod yesterday at Legion. Going back soon and taking the boys.
ReplyDeleteTrent
ReplyDeleteTake the boys fly fishing on the upper lake. By the time you get back down there the bluegill will all be caught from the bedding areas in the big lake. No one is fishing the upper lake and the boys can get a real dose of landing some quality gills, and will really enjoy it. Check out my next post on Smith.