Monday, May 9, 2016

One Fish Can Make a Trip

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. 
 
Ivan landed this nice spot somewhat quicker than me using his 4 weight. I thought I would get some of the action on video for you guys. Ivan did a great job handling this spot, especially after it made numerous runs to break off. We were both pleased with the trip even if I did have to spend 225.00 bucks on a new starter for my motor. 

13 comments:

  1. Bill that sure sounds like a fun trip. Those redeyes are really pretty fish. And the quest continues...thanks!

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  2. The quest is going to be realized....I have confidence in you.
    A pricey repair.

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  3. Howard
    Fun 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

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  4. Alan
    I have a ways to go, hopefully in the next 3 months I may realize it this year. Thanks for the comment

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  5. 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.

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  6. It's nice when the fish cooperate. Gives you at least an inkling that you know what you're doing.

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  7. Mark
    Not 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

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  8. Kevin
    Both spots we landed cooperated, which made for a good fish fight---thanks for the comment

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  9. 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.

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  10. Hi Walt
    Could 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

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  11. Lester
    That one fish help soften the blow of the bum motor and the 225.00 fee for the starter---thanks for the comment

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  12. 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!

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  13. Justin
    Still working on the quest, and landing more spots as the summer comes on. Thanks for the commnet

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