Monday, March 18, 2013

Beginning my Big Bluegill Quest in "The Year of the Bluegill"

Friday was the day to start my big bull bluegill quest. So in keeping with the theme “The Year of the Bluegill” I made my first trip to Walker County Lake about 20 minutes from the house. I was so anxious to get on the water that I forgot to call and check the water temps at the lake. With that bit of information missing I arrive at the lake around ten and made the best of the day fishing for really small bluegills and one little bass in 52 degree water. I know exactly when the big bluegill begin there migration to the shallow water which is 62 degrees and Friday was not the day the big bulls move anywhere near the shallow edge.

I just had to get a picture of a Father and Daughter getting ready to try their luck with the red worms. This little girl was so excited being out there with her Dad. She kept telling him she wanted to catch a fish!
Using this little boat is the best way to fish this lake. It sets high in the water and is easy to maneuver and can get into tight places. I use a rudder on the back to keep it straight when paralleling the bank. It is light and easy to load in the back of my truck.
These little ducks really got to me before the day ended. It seemed everywhere I placed my nymph they would be there in a few minutes. If I had been fishing poppers or dries they would have ruin any change for a hit on top, because they were cruising the banks. They were not Mallards.
 
This big bull was worth the trip. It was landed a couple of hour into the trip on a fly that David Knapp of “The Trout Zone” tied for me a while back. He was tying some trout flies for me that I will try this month on tailrace. He included this little Seal Leech nymph in size 12 with the shipment. It was the fly of the day for me.  I landed this nice gill with his Leech pattern using my 8 ½ ft. 4 wt. it was quite a battle, and well worth the trip for me. I will start my bluegill quest with this big bull being number 1; so now I only have 99 more to land. I did catch half dozen really small bluegills as stated earlier with this same nymph. All the hits came in 8 to 10 ft. of water proving that nothing is happening around the edge yet, but there is always next week.

 

24 comments:

  1. Glad to see you're getting an early start. I want to see you hit the 100 mark this year.
    Those "ducks" are American Coots... which are not really ducks at all... just in case you wanted to know. Not everything that swims like a duck is a duck, but if it quacks like a duck it may still be a duck.

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  2. Good work, I have thought about getting one of those boats before. The problem now is I don't have a way to transport it around.

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  3. Bill, first off, congratulations on a nice fat Bluegill to start off your quest for "100" in the Year of the Bluegill. Secondly, impressed with your little boat. Sounds ideal. How does it handle wind and wave turbulence?

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  4. Bill, I'm glad that fly did the trick for you! It can be a pain getting past all the little guys but you did a great job of persevering and getting a nice fish as a reward! Good start to the year!!!

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  5. Dig the boat. Looks like the perfect way to pursue some bulls.

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  6. Its good to see your already out catching them! I can't wait to hear all about this years adventures. Go get your 100!

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  7. Jay
    I am glad you supplied me with a name for these annoying creatures, they do quack like a duck, so that is the reason I called them ducks. I suspected they were a Coot, but I didn't want to put the incorrect name in the post. The fishing was extremely slow. Thanks for the comment

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  8. Kevin
    I really like this little boat, it is so easy to handle. Thanks for the comment

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  9. Rick
    I am a long way from that 100, but if I can get some good weather I will make a dent in the numbers. Thanks for the comment

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  10. Michael
    I get some strange looks in this little boat, and numbers of questions as to where I bought it. I also get some strange looks fishing with the fly rod. Thanks for the comment

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  11. David
    That nice bluegill was quite a fight on the 4 wt. I will landing numbers of those in that size range when the water temps get better. Thanks for the comment

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  12. Mel
    That little boat is perfect for fishing small lakes and ponds. I have been on Smith Lake when it was white capping and had no problems. Two individuals can fish out of it without a problem. Thanks for the comment

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  13. I always look forward to your quest each year Bill. Go get em!

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  14. nice blog, I'll be following from now on

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  15. Alan
    A good start but kind of slow day--thanks for the comment

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  16. Thanks Howard
    I hope I reach the magic 100 this year

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  17. Jamie
    Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed reading through Fishing Through Life.

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  18. That is a neat little boat and a nice sized bluegill! Glad to hear you made it out.

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  19. Bill
    I actually use this little boat more than my Bass Tracker. It is so handy. Thanks for the comment

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  20. That's a nice blue gill you hooked into there! Love the little boat too. how much did that guy cost (if you don't mind me asking)?

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  21. J
    The only big gill I landed that day but worth my counting on my quest. I bought the Pelican boat at Academy Sports for 400.00--this is the link, which is showing their 10 ft., but they have the 8 ft. which is not listed. http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_150007_-1__?N=581132420&Ntt=pelican+8+ft.+boats&Ntk=All

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  22. Nice boat. Good to see you've begun. I wish you had seen the giant bluegill I had in my hand this morning! Not much activity on the stream yet. Good luck!

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  23. Hi Josh
    Really slow day that Friday as far as big bulls--I hope my luck changes tomorrow, leaving early in the morning. I am looking forward to your first bluegill trip. thanks for the comment

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