My trip to Walker County Lake was kind of rushed Tuesday, because of yard work I had been putting aside for the past week. Does mowing grass, trimming hedges, and
weed eating sound familiar to you guys? I made the most of the couple of hours I
had, landing numbers of smaller bluegills to keep thing interesting and a few nice
ones for the quest. I will be heading to Smith Lake on Thursday in hopes of improving my count.
A nice male bluegill on the
Wulff Irresistable in size 6, I just seemed to keep coming back to this dry
fly---why because it lands bluegills for me when even poppers won’t get the hit.
The lake had been fertilized four days earlier so that made the fish extremely finicky.
They continually splashed at the popper, missing it time after time which was
frustrating.
One can always find bank fisherman at the lake either fishing for bluegill or catfish. These guys had six nice catfish on the stringer.
The Game and Fish Department has placed numerous fish attractors all over the lake and this one was holding a nice bluegill for me right after I launch my boat. I think this body of water is the best managed lake I have ever fished in the state of Alabama.
The take home catch for two hours of work, I mean fun!!! ----4 wt. magic---I will count 5 of these for the quest---I am now 69 away
Those are some good eats.
ReplyDeleteGood job, Bill, on some more for the countdown. Interesting that the fish were picky enough that the Irresistable worked and Poppers were just played with. If we had the answers all the time, then fishing would not be near as much fun.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Bill. The few times I go fishing for gills I just use pretty much any old fly and find that they are always eager. Not to say that they are always easy to catch, but I don't find them too fussy. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteNice catch Bill. Have you ever fished the various colored Humpys for bluegill?
ReplyDeleteOK...those are either some microscopic bluegill or a giant ice cube - which one is it? LOL
ReplyDeleteKevin
ReplyDeleteThe eats is just an added bonus--thanks for the comment
Mel
ReplyDeleteThe fertilize really turns off the feeding activity for at least a couple of weeks. The fertilize is useful, but all of us who fish the lake agree it should be done after the spawn. Thanks for the comment
Howard
ReplyDeleteFertilization has a big affect on the bite, especially when large amounts are dumped in the lake, which is the case here. It turns the water pea green and it takes four or five days for it to start to clear up. Very few individuals fish the lake during that time. After the clear up the fish become somewhat dormant for few days. During this time it is harder to get a hit. It is much different on a lake where there is no fertilization program; where they will hit poppers and pretty much anything else you cast at them. Thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteI just put some in my fly box for Smith Lake next week. thanks for the comment
Brook
ReplyDeleteYes fresh out of the ice chest could make them look smaller--thanks for the comment
I was referring to reference that photo gave. It looks like an icecube with several fish around them.
ReplyDeleteSort of a funny illusion do to the scale
That's really cool, that the Game and Fish Dept put out fish attractors like that in the lake.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your quest?...How many?
Brook
ReplyDeleteA senior moment there, I was a little slow this morning
Justin
ReplyDeleteThose attractors are all over the lake. They attract crappie, bass, catfish and of course bluegill. I am 69 away as of today. thanks for the comment
Bill, Nice fish! I am telling you your bluegill quest will be complete once you catch 69 more AND catch one of those slabs on a Tenkara. You think your 4wt was fun... I look forward to the pictures!
ReplyDeleteNoco
ReplyDeleteOur local fly shop has this rod in the Temple Fork version. I am going to take at look at it. thanks for the comment
Nice bluegill. That's my favorite fish to catch and eat!
ReplyDeleteKim
ReplyDeleteThe crappie and bluegill are my two favorites table fare. thanks for the comment