Thursday, April 25, 2013

Dry Flies Used to Land Super Size Bluegills

I was on the water today at 6:15 AM with a slight chance of rain and overcast skies for the day. I knew an approaching cold front, if you can call 70 degrees a cold front and with rain approaching would mean a better day. I couldn't believe it but me and another angler were the only ones at the launch, and yes he was going after the bluegills just like me. I only had 3 to 4 hours to add to my quest before the wind, which Walker County Lake is famous for would sail me back to the launch.
My first of the morning using my 3 wt and the Wluff dry--I just can't get away from this dry fly verses the popper--I like the silent approach it delivers as it lights gently on the surface
This bull inhaled the Wluff; I fish through 3 of these patterns today, the first two came apart, mainly from removing the flies from the throat of the bluegills, that is how much they loved this little jewel
After the wind picked up the top action stopped, so I went to my trusty Seal Leech, using my 4 wt.
A nice bluegill on the Leech, I am so impressed with this pattern, I like the medium sink rate---thanks to David at the Trout Zone for this pattern
These fish are unbelievable strong on the 3 and 4 wt. they are just coming on the bed and are in excellent shape to produce a super fight
A couple of females thrown in--I will count 9 big bulls out of this group putting me 83 away from my quest
This is where all the action takes place after I get the fish home, I built this table some years ago and equipped it with rollers so I could move it around. The table top is actually a chopping board.
The end result of another great trip with 48 fillets ---I only have a couple of trips left before the spawn is over as far as the fish being on the beds--the cork fishermen will clean the beds in a week or two

12 comments:

  1. Bill, great to see the leech pattern still working for you! Looks like a lot of fun...

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  2. David
    I can't wait to use the Leech on the tailrace. Who knows I may land another carp on the Leech. Thanks for the comment

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  3. Overcast skies, one of the best times to fish.
    Another nice outing Bill.

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  4. Looks like you had a great day on the water. You are getting closer to that goal, keep at it.

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  5. Alan
    I always like to fish before a front comes through. thanks for the comment

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  6. Trail
    Once I move onto Smith Lake my home lake I will increase my numbers. thanks for the comment

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  7. Top notch gills but I'm even more impressed by that table. Excellent worksmanship.

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  8. Kevin
    Some of those bluegills were 3/4 of a pound, which put up quite a fight on the 3 wt. The table has served me well over the years for fish cleaning. thanks for the comment

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  9. Wow Bill, nice mess of fish! I don't think I've ever seen chunkier bluegills. Nice job.

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  10. That is such a wonderful lake. Man, I would love to go there and land some fat panfish.

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  11. Josh
    This lake is well managed and has as you can see some monster bluegills. The trick is get to them before the cricket fisherman hit the lake during the spawn. Most of those I landed were 3/4 lb. bulls. Unbelievable fun on the 3 and 4 wt. thanks for the comment

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