I made an outing today with
my son Jason. He had a day off so we decided to fish the lower end of Ryan Creek on Smith Lake. We were at the lake at daylight which is the best
time to land quality fish using the poppers. The morning started off with a
bang when Jason landed a nice 18” spot using an olive Wooly Bugger. The fish gave the 9 ft. 4wt. all it could handle by stripping drag numbers
of times before he finally landed the fish. Jason is really into landing nice quality Spotted Bass. Nothing was happening on top,
and the morning was slow especially after the sun came up. I will be making
another trip tomorrow in hopes of adding to my bluegill goal---stay tuned.
Not big but quite a fight on the 4 wt he hit the size 6 crawfish
Jason with his 18" spot--they never quite fighting
This was a male spot caught in one of the many treetops on Ryan Creek
The Rhododendron is in full bloom all over the lake
One of three Bull Bluegills I landed using the size 6 crawfish--really surprised the bluegill's hit this pattern--but these big boys must have been hungry---I am now 53 away from my goal!!
There are a lot of big homes on Smith Lake, if I was offered any home on Smith this would have to be my favorite. The lumber in this house was transported by train from the countryside in New York. All the rafters, floor joists, exposed beams inside the house, and parts of the interior walls were removed from a barn in the countryside area. The sunroom in this house is setting out over the water; steel beams that are anchored in the rock wall support the sunroom itself. The garage is off to the right. The house is actually called the barn. I saw the owner one day on his pier and told me the story behind the house.
Another view of this outstanding home on Smith Lake
Amazing! Spotted bass sound like a lot of fun to go after. And that bluegill is a monster. I don't think I've ever seen them that big before. Can you eat that size? Thanks for the fun read!
ReplyDeleteThose are some beautiful fish! And the house isn't bad either! That looks like an awesome time on the
ReplyDeleteMan those are some nice fish!!!! My favorite would have to be that huge Bluegill, great color on it. Great pics,thanks for sharing. Tight Lines.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day with your son. The top water bite is getting off to a slow start here in the Chicagoland area as well. Despite our early warm weather that we had, spawning is just now starting to happen. I suspect it will be in full swing in a couple more weeks and then it's top water time!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Bill! That 'gill is a beaut! I like the history on the Barn too - I'd take it too.
ReplyDeleteQuit having such a good year!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteis it just me or are the bluegills getting bigger?
ReplyDeleteI think a house on a lake like that is the ultimate. Good as long as it doesn't get snow. I'm tired of snow.
ReplyDeleteMark
Mark
ReplyDeleteI just wonder sometimes if my wife and I lived on the lake; would I fish as much?? Thanks for the comment
Blake
ReplyDeleteI sure hope they are, the big ones spoil you. Thanks for the comment
Josh
ReplyDeleteThis trip will be my second this week with two more planned. Yes too much fun. Thanks for the comment
Chris
ReplyDeleteThe prize of the Barn plus the lot was 900,000.00--great looking house but a little over priced. Thanks for the comment
Brook
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to some great post with the poppers when the spawn begins. Thanks for the comment
Trout
ReplyDeleteThe bluegills are really colorful right after you get them out of the water. Thanks for the comment
Rick
ReplyDeleteI am in my second phase of my fishing career-it use to be bass all the time--now with the fly rod it is more bluegill, bass, and of course trout. Thanks for the comment
Anthony
ReplyDeleteThe big ones are delicious and of course a blast to land on a 3 or 4 wt. fly rod. I hope to land some even bigger before the spawn is over--I am 53 away from my goal of landing 100 during the spawning period. Thanks for the comment
Nice house, that is one long skinny bass.
ReplyDeleteKevin
ReplyDeleteI said this bass was a male--no it is a female, who had spawned--all eggs gone. Thanks for the comment
What a day! Fun to have days like that on the water...I'm with MaGee, that gill is awesome.
ReplyDelete...yeah, that house isn't bad either.
Nice 18 in bass! and the blue gill was looking great too. haven't been blue gillin' in a while, I'm going to have to go soon!
ReplyDeleteSanders
ReplyDeleteI hope to get to fish with my son more now that is hours have changed. He is an avid fly fisherman just like his Dad. Thanks for the comment
J
ReplyDeleteThe big bluegill on the fly rod is awesome. Thanks for the comment