Thursday, April 17, 2014

Fishing With Jason Near the Dam on Smith Lake


I seldom get to fish with my son and today was one of those special days we got to hang out together on Smith, which is his favorite lake to fish when he is home. We were hoping to get in some trout fishing as well while he was here but the recent rains have caused the lake to fill above full pool which means non-stop generation below the dam. We were 30 minutes late today, but manage to have a great trip for the 2 ½ hours we were on the water. The wind ended the trip around 9 AM.
First fish of the morning on the Super Nymph which David at Trout Zone tied up for me the other day; this pattern has been good for me over the past couple of years, landing spots and bluegill on Smith. It is also a productive fly for the trout on the tailrace.

Jason with his first spot of the morning using the Damsel Blue Boogle Bug; no-fly movement at all produced this spot over a submerged tree.  This morning all the hits came with the popper setting still with no movement at all.

Another quality spot using the Damsel Blue Boogle; all the spots today were in the slot, and all were released to fight another day. We never got out of sight of the launch during the 2 ½ hours we fished.  Landing these fish with the fly rod is one awesome experience, especially when you are fishing with your son. We hope to make one more trip before he returns to Sacramento on Saturday. 
Thought I would share a post by Rick at White Tail Woods about President Jimmy Carter.

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful. Getting to fish with your son is great, and catching those fine fish is a big plus.
    Well done gents.

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  2. Congratulations, Bill, on a job well done with your son. Those fish look like they would be full of vim and vigor on a fly rod. Jealous, wishing I had that opportunity. Thanks so much for always be willing to share your success and your techniques.

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  3. Now that's certainly a trip worth talking about. You're a lucky man having a son to take along with you Bill. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Nice colors. Still wish I had my access for thoe early spring Spots that love Boogle Bugs. We've had a cold snap this week. Warm days and nights that bring frost. Water temps have dropped to around 50-55 this week. I have that same Boogle Bug myself.

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  5. Fishing with my kids beats any other days on the water. If I didnt know any better we were looking at photos of a younger Bill?

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  6. Alan
    Smith is a great backup area when the tailrace is too high to fish+ always a plus to fish with Jason. Thanks for the comment

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  7. Mel
    I am very blessed to have such a fantastic fishery in this area; the best of both worlds in warmwater and coldwater fishing. Thanks for the comment

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  8. Howard
    I seldom to get fish with my son, because of his work and distance from home. Thanks for the comment

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  9. Josh
    Color does make a difference when fishing these poppers. Nothing was happening with the black or olive colors, but as soon as my son tied on the Electric Damsel Blue popper he started landing spots. His best was a 17 3/4 with this color Thursday morning. None of the fish wanted the popper moving, all the hits came with the popper setting still as stated in the post. Hope you get to try this color soon. Thanks for the comment--- check out this link http://www.andythornal.com/products/boogle-bug-popper-wg-sz-8

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  10. Blake
    I only wish I had been doing the fly fishing back in the day, when I was tournament fishing--really glad Jason is fly fishing at his age--he has a bright future of fly fishing ahead him. thanks for sharing

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  11. Lester
    The best of both fishing worlds here in warm water and cold water--thanks for the comment
    P.S. Looking forward to some post on trout fishing out that way soon.

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  12. I see you have discovered the magic of the Blue Damsel Boogle Bug. It's Kelly's favorite with good reason.

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  13. Bill! Fantastic outing catchin fish with your son! Gotta love it! I am glad you had quality time together. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! Nice fish on the fly...

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  14. Jay
    Jason decided to tie it on after the black and olive were kind of slow. I purchased this one from the fly shop this year, and Jason decided to give it a try, lucky for him it produced. It made a believable out of me. Thanks for the comment

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  15. Al
    He was busy with work and school much of the 5 days he was visiting with us; I am glad he got to land some quality spots before he left for Sacramento. Thanks for the comment

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  16. Fantastic spots! I look forward to catching one of those in the near future!

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  17. Bill, I always enjoy these warm water reports. You have some fabulous fishing opportunities in your area. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Juan
    Awesome experience!! thanks for the comment

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  19. David
    Two fantastic fishing places within 20 minutes of my house; Smith and the tailrace. thanks for tor the comment

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