Some Attention for the Bluegill

 My Bluegill quest officially kicked off two weeks ago on Walker County Lake. I was trying to fish the lake before it was fertilized, and I made the deadline by one day. I know that fertilization has its function of making a lake more suitable for landing quality fish. Still, once the water is fertilized, it takes weeks to regain its productive fishing. So, I will not make any more trips to the lake for at least a month. During June is when the second spawn takes place. I will be watching and waiting. 

I landed a dozen quality-size bulls like these that were placed in the cooler to dress later that afternoon. I enjoy everything about fishing, but I do not like dressing the catch! I was using my Boogle Bug poppers to get their attention. I have just about used all these poppers I ordered last year. I will use a different popper once these are gone for this year. The hackle on the Boggle Bug doesn't stay together like it used to. Most of the time, the popper is only suitable for a few fish before the hackle unravels. I expect more from an eight-dollar popper. Today's fish were taken using my 2/3 weight, 7 1/2 ft Redington fly rods. They are the perfect fly rods for a small lake; you should try them!

Catfish on the Flyrod

 

This past Friday was another epic day fishing for bluegill using my 7 1/2 ft. 3 wt. Flyrod fishing Walker County Lake. While fishing for the big bull bluegills, I landed the largest catfish ever on the flyrod. The fish hit a size 8 orange popper fishing near weed pads on the lake's levee. I knew it was big as soon as the fish made its first run. Little did I know it was a little over 8 lbs 26 inches. This catfish didn't top my carp last year, but it came close. Who knows, I may land one of their elusive Walleye next year. I never fish this lake with anything above a 2 and 3 wt. Flyrod. Let's say I like the challenge. 

Looking closely, you can see the popper hooked into the catfish's whisker. It's a miracle I landed it, considering the 15-minute fight he put up. I gave the catfish to the gentleman in the background fishing near the lake's edge. He was as excited as I was landing the fish.