My first trip to Smith Lake this morning had a slow start; no bite for an hour. The Boggle Poppers
were not working at daylight near the banks; so Ivan and I decided to move into
the nooks. I had to use my trolling motor to get us in a position to fish the
nooks because the starter on my Mercury motor went out right after we launched
the boat, bummer. Once we made it to the first nook the action started with
some nice bluegills landed and the prize of the morning for me. I managed to
get some footage of Ivan’s fish of the morning so we both left the lake, happy
fishermen.
When larger poppers are not producing, go to tiny poppers; you will get a reaction!
You guys have read some of
my posts concerning the Red-eyed Bass; well this bass is the best example I’ve
ever caught. This bass was a native to the tributaries flowing into the Sipsey before the dam was placed for Smith Lake.
This spot was supposed to be
caught using my 6 weight fast action, but no bass would touch the big poppers
throughout the morning. So Ivan and I decided to go after the bluegills with our
3 weights using our tiny poppers; little did we know that the bass was turned
on to size 12 poppers as well. This is the largest spot I’ve ever landed using
my 3 weight fly. I had quite a fight on my hands trying to keep this fish from
breaking my 5X tippet. This fish is why I love fly fishing so much because it's
you against a fish that is superior to your gear, in this case, my 3 weight.
Sometimes the fish wins and rightly so and sometimes the fisherman wins, today I
won. Ivan didn't notice the sun rays crossing my face when he took the picture.
Bill that sure sounds like a fun trip. Those redeyes are really pretty fish. And the quest continues...thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe quest is going to be realized....I have confidence in you.
ReplyDeleteA pricey repair.
Howard
ReplyDeleteFun for sure with an accomplished fly fisherman, Ivan who is 81 years young--so there is hope for both of us---thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteI have a ways to go, hopefully in the next 3 months I may realize it this year. Thanks for the comment
I think I would much prefer the fight on a 3 wt. Using a bigger rod and "horsing" them in reminds me of professional bass fishing.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice when the fish cooperate. Gives you at least an inkling that you know what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteMark
ReplyDeleteNot much of a challenge when you jerk the fish aboard in second using a heavy action fishing rod. At least in fly fishing the fish is given a chance. Thanks for the comment
Kevin
ReplyDeleteBoth spots we landed cooperated, which made for a good fish fight---thanks for the comment
Thanks for sharing some of your fly-fishing fun while boating. Nice looking bass. I wonder if your red-eye bass is what we call rock bass here in the North.
ReplyDeleteHi Walt
ReplyDeleteCould be, I do know that this particular bass is a native of all the streams here in Alabama and Mississippi. My brother has landed numbers of the redeye there on his home lake. Thanks for the comment
Lester
ReplyDeleteThat one fish help soften the blow of the bum motor and the 225.00 fee for the starter---thanks for the comment
Very nice outing, Bill! I often find that bass will want small flies over the big ones at times. I can try to explain it, but then I'd be totally BS'ing hahaha. That is one heck of a spotted bass, and on a 3 wt to boot! Nice work. You're almost there!
ReplyDeleteJustin
ReplyDeleteStill working on the quest, and landing more spots as the summer comes on. Thanks for the commnet