The sweet spot on this
bank was located near the fallen log lying in the water. The bluegills had clean
out close to 40 spawning beds to the right and left of the log.
The first gill of the
morning, which nailed an Orvis size 12 legless tiny popper; a lot of fun on the 3 weight.
This fish loved the little popper, the very next cast produce another strong fish which hung my
little popper and the fish in a tangled mess of underwater brush; so much for
that popper. Wouldn’t you know it that
was the only one in the fly box, another trip to Orvis?
Another group of gills
was located at the end of this moss pad in deeper water; again lots of spawning
beds but only a few bluegills left to fish for. The live bait guys did a great
job plucking each and every bluegill out of their beds.
The Bar Nunn popper got
the attention of this bull after my little Orvis popper bites the dust. I was
able to land a number of bluegill from the moss pad area that someone actually
left for me. As I moved from spawning beds to spawning beds I felt like I was
cleaning up what was left of this spawn.
This guy was having a time
landing catfish using chicken livers as bait. In fact, he was hauling one in
when I snapped this picture. He had 7 or 8 rigs all hanging over the edge of
the boat.
I left all my drinking water at the
house so I had to make a trip to the bait shop and purchase a couple of
bottles. As I was leaving the shop I noticed this lady painting a beautiful scene
of the point area in the distance. She told me she had finished a number of paintings
of the lake this past year.
The Pelican now has padded seats as opposed to those hard plastic seats I used for a couple of years.
This is the 10 ft. version and will handle two fly fishermen really well-------as
long as my line is down on the water and their line is up in the air or vice
versa---I think you guys know what I am talking about!!
These are the best of the
best for a very successful morning; these 10 will put a dent in my bluegill quest. I
added 8 more that kept me filleting bluegill for a couple of hours after I got
home. I will go after the big bulls on Smith Lake next week. I am now 40 away from my 50 quests; could this be my year to
make it???
I really enjoy your quest. I fish right along side with you. Thanks for sending these out. I always enjoy getting them. Great pictures also.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite time of the year is when you start posting up those huge gills Bill.
ReplyDeleteA good start toward 50.
ReplyDeleteGrant
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the quest, it helps make the trip trips more interesting, as if I needed anything to spice up my fishing trips. Thanks for the commnet
Howard
ReplyDeleteThose were some quality gills for sure; I hope to land a few more in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the comment
Mark
ReplyDeleteI am now into my 5th. year trying to reach my bluegill quest; I hope this is the year I make it. Thanks for the comment
Good to see you back on your game.
ReplyDeleteI have total faith in you making it happen. Love the photos. Bluegill sound like a lot of fun to catch.
ReplyDeleteHaven't those gills learned to steer clear of your boat yet? =)
ReplyDeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteStay focus, stay focus, is my motto for the rest of this season. Thanks for the comment
RD
ReplyDeleteThe big ones are a ton of fun on a 3 wt. could be the year I make it. Thanks for the comment
Kevin
ReplyDeleteThey did this morning, post coming to explain why---thanks for the comment
I believe in you, Bill! You're going to do it! I'm very envious of the size you have on those bluegills. Lots of fun, I bet!
ReplyDeleteJustin
ReplyDeleteI usually get one shot on Walker County Lake before the fertilize is dumped and the bait fishermen clean the beds; this trip was it. I will have to count on other places to make the quest for the rest of the season. Thanks for the comment
Hmmm. I might have to finally try to find some local bluegills with the kids this Saturday. Looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteChris
ReplyDeleteMy grandson loves to land bluegill, what a great way to get the kids interesting in fishing. thanks for the comment