My fishing buddy Charles and
I made a fall fishing trip Tuesday to Smith Lake
I scored early with the
yellow popper fishing it with a slight jerk motion. I missed two fish before
this spot finally inhaled the popper in water 30 ft. deep. The water this time
of the year on Smith is crystal clear so the bass had no trouble seeing the
yellow color. This bass put forth a solid test for the 5 wt. 9 ft. Redington. After
numerous runs in depths of 50 ft. or more I finally got to touch this beauty.
After a lengthy fight, I
finally landed this 2 lb. spot in what was an awesome start for the morning.
For sheer power and fight the Spotted Bass has to be considered in the league
with the smallmouth and a large brown trout.
I could have landed this bass
in a matter of seconds using a 7 ft. fast action rod and baitcasting reel; but
I would have missed the challenge of landing a superior fish verses a 5 wt. fly
rod. I feel it takes a great amount of skill and finance to land any fish 2 lbs.
and over using a 5 wt. fly rod and below. It seems in the fishing environment of
today individuals are obsessed with landing a big fish and getting it to hand
in a matter of seconds. I have to admit when I was younger and doing the bass
fishing tournaments I was that guy. One doesn’t have to land a huge fish to experience
the thrill of fishing, especially if you are using the fly rod. I can get just
as excited landing an 8 inch rainbow with my 3 wt. as I can landing this spot
today with my 5 wt. I realize now years later what I have been missing back in
the day, when I gave up the fly rod at an early age. I hope to spend the rest
of my fishing days enjoying landing many more fish using my fly rods.
After the top action slowed I
changed fly rods and starting casting my trusted Black Gant using my 4 wt.
There was a slight breeze which hampered the top action so the Gnat proved
effective just under the surface connecting with this nice bull bluegill. I would
have counted this beauty but my quest is over for this year.
As the sun got higher
overhead the fish move deeper, so I tie on an olive beadhead nymph which
produced this nice gill.
Charles and I landed numerous
bluegills using this pattern. I am no fly tier, but it looks fairly simply to
tie. It proved to be a winner when all else failed. Working it slowly and
letting it drop with a slow retrieve made for some savage hits. I haven’t tried
this fly for trout but you can bet they will see it on my next trip to the tailrace.
One can really see lots of
drift wood and structure this time of year on the lake. I have carried numerous
drift wood pieces and stumps home this time of year along with a few bluegills
for some great table fare. I am so lucky to have this body of water to fish, as
all of would say about your home waters.
Fantastic Bass! a 2lber on a 5 wt must have been fantastic. I can't wait to catch a bass on my 6 wt! Haven't had any luck yet but I know it is coming soon!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I agree that people are obsessed with man handling fish but the fight is always the best part. Catching fish on the fly is so much more exciting than fishing on heavier equipment and bringing them in quickly!
ReplyDeleteBill you still use the flies we sent you? Nice post/report. Catching a spot is on my list of things to do.
ReplyDeleteAwesome bass there Bill.
ReplyDeleteThey really inhale that popper.
J
ReplyDeleteOnce you land a bass 2 lbs. and up on the fly rod, you will be hooked for life. You may never got back to bait casting combos. Thanks for the comment
J
ReplyDeleteOne thing to remember when landing bass over 2 lbs. with the fly rod; get the fish on the reel as soon as possible. Let the drag do the work for you, it is much easier to land the fish using the drag as oppose to applying pressure with the fly rod. Too much pressure will result in losing the fish. Thank for the comment
J & M
ReplyDeleteThe Spot is an awesome fish to land with the fly rod. It never quits fighting. I use the poppers I got from you guys to land the big bull bluegills in the spring. Thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe Spots hit the popper so hard sometimes they knock the paint off. Landing these fish on the 5 wt. and 6 wt. is a blast. Thanks for the comment
Bill, you reminded me that I need to take the time and hit some of my local lakes for gills and bass. Thanks friend.
ReplyDeleteBill, sure enjoyed this post. Love the looks of the fish this time of year also. I agree with you on fly rods, versus, baitcasting rods. Warmwater Fly Fishing is my new/old love, hence my blog now. Thanks for sharing a few patterns, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun my man!
ReplyDeleteThat fly is basically a bead head softhackle. It's one of my favorite trout flies. I just tied some up recently and posted them on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI really wish Cabela's would carry Boogle Bugs for me. I buy the "Seconds" on ebay. From where do you buy yours? I had very little top water action this fall. Been going deep.
ReplyDeleteHoward
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a chance to get out and try some poppers and the little fly I was successful with last week. Take a look at the image and tie a few up. I think you will be successful with it. thanks for the comment
Mel
ReplyDeleteI have spent most of life missing out on fly fishing, and intend to use the rest of my fishing days using the fly rod. Try that little nymph, I think you will have success using it. It looks simply to tie. Thanks for the comment
Pen
ReplyDeleteLanding a bass using the fly rod is an awesome experience. thanks for the comment
Josh
ReplyDeleteBreamBugs.com is where I get all my warm water flies. They carry the Boggle Bug Popper, which are costly at 5.00 each but worth every penny spent. I am still using Boggle poppers from 3 years ago. They are one durable popper for the money. I land some awesome bass using these poppers because of the concave face which creates a lot of noise on a smooth surface. It is one killer popper. That two pounder hit the popper twice, the first hit it missed the popper and the second it inhaled it deep in its throat. Give this website a look, you will be impressed. thanks for the comment
Kevin
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me the official name of this little nymph. I can't remember where I got this fly but it really impressed me the other day. Nothing was working after the sun came, so going deep prove effected with this little fly. I will take a look on your blog for info. using it for trout. Thanks for the comment
Good stuff as always. As you mentioned earlier this year, those spots really do put up a fight. Can't wait to hook into them again. Topwater is always fun and I am sure that first bass was great.
ReplyDeleteWisdom Bill! All of us have been or are at the place that patience escapes us. Enjoy the fish on the end of the line, regardless of the size of the fish, becomes the gift and catching those gills and bass on your fly rod is priceless! Nice report and thanks for sharing buddy!
ReplyDeleteNoco
ReplyDeleteI tell individuals all the time once you land a fish with the fly rod you are hook for life. Thanks for the comment