I made a quick trip to Rock Creek yesterday to fish areas of
Smith that I haven’t fished in years. I forgot how beautiful the Rock Creek
area is, especially the high rock wall formations with all the cave holes
carved out in the walls. I was competing with a huge bass tournament with some
125 boats zipping up and down the creek most of the morning. I felt good about
landing fish on top especially some nice Spots, but they were not cooperating. Even fishing the fly rod by myself in Rock Creek couldn’t
entice a hit. I was fishing the Boogle Bug brand on my 5 wt and had my 4 wt
rigged with size 8 Wooly Bugger. I have to add a plug here for the Boogle Bug;
it has to be the best of the best when it comes to poppers. This popper is so
durable and tough that they will last season after season. Back to the trip, I
fished from 6 AM until 9 AM using nothing but the white Boogle Bug
which during that time produced some nice bluegills to add to my total count
for the spawn. I did release some smaller bluegills that for some reason
thought they were big enough to inhale the size 6 Boogle. The key to getting the big hit was placing the
popper right against the rock wall. The hit would come 10 to 15 seconds after
the popper had landed lightly on the water’s surface. These big bluegills seem
to know when the presentation was heavy instead of light meaning no action. I never
used my 4 wt all morning, because the action was fairly consistent on the
popper, so why break up a good thing. After today’s outing, I am 48 away from my
goal. Saturday morning I hope to add to the total and have some quality Spots
to report on.
This bull inhaled the size 6 Boogle
Supersize gill off the wall
Three of these bluegills were between 8 and 9 oz. I said when I started my goal I would only count 8 oz. and above --the top and bottom gills were 16 oz. --they are like landing a spot when they turn their wide bodies sideways. They gave the 5 wt a bend!!---these 5 put me 48 away from my goal.
