Saturday, April 28, 2018

The Quest Begins

I finally get to fish between the heavy rains, we have been experiencing here in Alabama. What a great day to start my bluegill quest for this season. The temps were in the seventies with the water temp reading 65 which is on the verge of the spawn. Some of the big gills were on the move and staking out areas close to cover in water four to five feet deep just off the shaded banks.
My first nice bull of the morning was taken hugging the shaded bank in the brush pile. The Black Gant got its attention. I’m glad I was using my 9 ft. 4 wt. otherwise I would’ve had trouble landing it.
I felt like the top image could grace the wall of any den, with its lush green canopy of trees lining the banks of this nook. RFD's FlyBox Foam Butt Caddis would get a savage hit on the other side of the sunken tree; again shade and cover was the ally for this nice gill. I thought I had found the honey hole, but again the fish were not bunched to spawn; one fish and keep casting. 
I would end the day landing numerous small bluegills and this fighter on my 3 weight. I feel good about actually accomplishing this year’s quest because I’m back on my home waters; 23 away from the finish.

12 comments:

  1. Good to see they are getting closer. Nice fish Bill!

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  2. Ralph
    Can't wait to let the big bluegills nail the Caddis on Smith Lake. At this time the water level on the lake is 4 ft. above full pool. Thanks for the comment

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  3. Looks and sounds like fun, Bill. Good luck on the remainder of the Quest!

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  4. What fiesty looking guys! Good for you... Keep the adventure going!

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  5. My favorite time of the year...when Bill gets out and starts the Quest! Some really nice Bulls my friend. Can't wait to see some more.

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  6. Mark
    I second that!!! Thanks for the comment

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  7. Alan
    Fishing old waters makes me feel right at home!! Thanks for the comment

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  8. Howard
    I hope to break the jinx this time around---thanks for the comment

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  9. Emily
    By far my favorite warm water fish on the fly---tremendous fighters--thanks for the comment

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  10. Walt
    The quest has been a challenge this past four years, hope I make it happen this year. Thanks for the comment

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