Working on the Tail end of my Bluegill Quest

The last of August is the official end for my bluegill quest this season and at the rate I’m going I may not reach the number 50. I’ve had a few good distractions this year such as helping our daughter and son-in-law with our new grandson and some traveling with the wife. I used Thursday morning to renew the quest on Smith Lake using the yellow and gold size 18 Bar Nunn popper off the rock walls. It was like a fall morning with temps in the mid 50’s with a light jacket needed once I got on the water.

I landed numerous sun fish which is what we call these colorful bluegills down south. It would be nice to land some larger, but for some reason I have never landed any larger than this one.

This one gill will get counted along with another I landed off the walls using the Bar Nunn popper. Letting the popper set motionless for some time was what triggered the hit.

The bass was non existent off the walls, mainly because of all the generating being done on the lake at this time. The bluegills are slow but the bass are in lockdown. I did mange to land a small spot with the small popper off this wall and that was the end of the top action for bass fishing for the morning.

I landed numerous bluegill this morning with my 3 weight which was a lot of fun but only two was worthy of the count that puts me 29 away from my quest; fillets ready for the baking pan.

Baked fillets, bake fires with a toss green salad makes this trip worth getting up at 5 AM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluctuating Water Levels Produce Tough Fishing Conditions

My son Jason and I left at daylight this morning to fish Ryan Creek on beautiful Smith Lake. This is the first time I have been back on the lake since the last of June when I developed a leak in my boat. The leak isn’t repaired but the boat is fishable. We were battling fluctuating water levels on the lake due to the annual draw down this time of the year. When the generators are running the fish go super deep and develop lock jaw. That was the case today, but I really didn’t mind, because it gave me and Jason a chance to spend some fishing time together.

A really outstanding point in the spring, but really tough this time of year when the water is falling---we worked it with the Boogle Bugs with no takes

11” Spot after the sun came up on the black Boogle, Jason did get the bend in the 5 wt. even with this small spot, I really admire these fish

Numerous lots are being cleared to make way for more floating docks. This area where this dock will be placed will cover one of my honey holes.

Jason landed this bluegill right before we left the lake for home; yes I did dress this fish, because I expect another trip in a few days that will add to this meal. Dad came up short today!!!