Missed my Quest Again This Season

The bluegill quest is over this year for me, and I didn’t make the count for the third year. A little bit discouraging but at the same time very appreciative that I got to land 40 monster bluegills. This is my lowest number since I started my quest 3 years ago.

Aside from the trout, the bluegill has to be my second love with the fly rod. The sheer fight this fish can put forth makes it a worthy opponent on a 3 or 4 weight fly rod. Very seldom does the fight occur above the surface of the water, but below. The power a big male bluegill can put on a light weight fly rod by swimming side to side is astounding. No jumping here just raw power with their wide bodies. After numerous break offs with the 5X tippet, I now fish the 4X most all the time when going after the big spawning males in the early spring. I thought I would share with you guys a few worthy of a picture this season.

An early morning beauty on the Wulff Dry

The Road Kill landed this monster on Walker Lake early this year in March, I remember this fish on my 4 wt

The huge ice cube and five males and one nice female, all on top

These fish were especially memorable because of the size of the big male here compared to the other fish in this image. I remember I only counted two fish from this catch.

I usually don't count females but this one was so special, I just had to enter her in the quest. I also remember this fish, because of the slow morning I was having. She nailed a  tiny size 10 yellow bellied Humphy. The dry fly sits motionless for what I thought was an eternity, and then she exploded on the surface to inhale the dry---heart pounding action guys!!!!!

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR

 

 

Budget Shopping and Deck Building

I guess most of you have notice my fishing post have been lacking lately. My son-in-law asked me a couple of weeks ago to help him build a 16 ft. square deck onto their present deck. So I volunteered my service. This has turned out to be quite a project. We should finish it up by this Labor Day weekend, and then back to some serious fishing.

I did manage to make a trip to the Bass Pro this past week. My wife’s car needed some repairs, which was going to take the better part of the morning; so with the loan car Ford gave me I headed out to the Bass Pro Shop to do some browsing. I was not on the search for anything special. I knew that the first place I was going to visit when I arrived was the fly fishing department. As I entered the department, one of the clerks asked me if I had seen the new chest packs they just got in. I told him no, so he proceeded to show me all the different sizes and brands they had on display. Being a budget minded retiree my eyes immediately focused in on the thirty bucks White River chest packs. I knew the William Joseph, Sage, and Simms that was on display were a cut above White River, but for a starter pack this one was in my price range.

 

 

As I get older I have discovered that fishing light is the best fit for me especially if I am wading. This smaller chest pack is going to be much lighter for me as oppose to my present fishing vest.

 

 

I also purchased White Rivers small fly box for 5.50 which measures out to be 4 ½” X 3” ------this smaller box fits well in the chest pack along with the other essentials items I would carry along for a morning or afternoon outing. I will be testing both of these items out later this week on the tailrace.

 

 

 

New Fly Fishing Show by Orvis Worth the Watch

I was scanning through the guide channels last night and came across an interesting fly fishing show called, “The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing” on the World Fishing Network. It covers everything from areas of the country to fish, equipment, fly patterns, reading streams, fishing lakes for trout and much more. Check your channel guide for the listing; it is worth the watch.

Extending my Bluegill Quest Until the end of August

Well guys I finally made it back out on the lake today. I have decided to continue my bluegill quest until the end of this month. The trip my wife and I made out west cut into some of my bluegill quest time. I would have to pull a miracle to accomplish the quest for this year, because the spawn is over, and now landing random bluegills from area to area in the lake makes it more difficult.

If one is fishing larger impoundments this time of year you will be dealing with falling water, which was the case today. Usually the big lakes this time of year start their yearly drawdown. That can lasts for four to six weeks or even longer depending on the amount of rain the area is receiving, and here in Alabama we have received our share for this summer. The drawdown has also put a damper on any trout fishing below the dam because it is just too dangerous.

With all that said today’s trip was a typical drawdown day with me getting to count only one large bluegill for the quest. Of course there were numerous little bass and bluegills, which helped my casting and landing skills.

I left the house at 4:30 AM and arrived at the lake at 5 AM. I had 30 minutes to kill before I could see to travel safely on the water so I made a stop at this floating peer. I had landed some nice bluegill here earlier in the year but no catch today. Only one little guy under the lights, which told me it was going to be tough.

This was my keeper for the morning taken on the given name Muddler Minnow or what I like to call it the Moth. I tried numerous poppers and nymphs without success before landing this bluegill. As soon as I landed this fish I thought I might have found the fly for some more action, but it never happened. I am now 60 away.

Guys I just can’t close this post without showing you one last set of images of the Redwoods in Northwest California. These trees are something that my wife and I will never forget. Thanks for viewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathey and I in California-----OUT WEST!!

Cathey and I finally arrived at our destination, Smith River California on the Pacific Coast late Saturday evening. We decided to rent a condo on the beach so we could feel the cool breeze, and did we feel the breeze, IT WAS COLD, TO SAY THE LEAST!!

Sunday was a part rest day considering we had driven over 2600 miles to get here.
Why Smith River, well this is the area our son Jason said was the place to discover the Redwoods. He planned this part of the trip, which consisted of hiking for the next 3 days through some of the most beautiful areas Cathey and I have ever seen. He knew his Mom didn’t want to fish on this trip so we hiked through some spectacular mountain scenery while we were here.  

  We couldn't believe that this tree was still alive

 The Park Rangers told us that 80% of the forest floor is covered with clover and fern

 Small stream in Jedediah Park with some small brook trout--Alan's kind of stream

Beach right out our window--cool air off the ocean

 Amazing how large the Redwoods are, the tallest in the world, and some in access of 24 ft. in dia. We are headed to another park tomorrow. 

This tree was the largest tree we found in the park south of Smith River off Redwood Hwy.  I can't believe I drove my SUV through this tree; another thing that astounded me was the tree was still alive and green.

Cathey and I Road Trip out West

Guys just wanted to let you know I will off my blogging schedule for a couple of weeks, Cathey and I decided to take a trip out west---------I will still keep up with what you guys are doing, but it will not be from Jasper Alabama.

South Rim Grand Canyon

Tower platform South Rim

Continuing my Bluegill Quest Against the Odds

All the rain we have received lately has caused heavy generation on the lake, which means no trout fishing below the dam. So the alternative was a trip to Smith today to continue my bluegill quest.
Upon arriving at the lake I noticed there were very few boats that had launched for the morning. This told me that the fishing might be somewhat slow. There was a slight breeze out of the south with a light chill in the air which convinced me to wear a long sleeve shirt while I motored to the area I was going to fish. The lake level was up and the generators were on, which meant falling water. Falling water, wind out of the south, and a slight cool front set the morning up as a challenge; but I was up for the task.

First fish of the morning, a nice 12” spot using the 4 wt. Redington. I started the morning at daylight with no success with the Boggle Bug Popper, so after daylight I changed to the Muddler Minnow. This fly has never let me down when fishing conditions are tough. I tied on a number of nymphs with no success, so the Muddler was the choice and it proved its worth. I fished for an hour and half before I landed this fish; talk about determination.

                                 

Later in the morning I moved from the shallow banks where I was landing numbers of small bluegills and the 12" spot to deeper water. The deeper water allowed me to find some nice bull bluegill near rock ledges in the shade. These were a lot of fun using the my 4 wt. Redington.

I didn’t brother to remove these bluegills from the cooler because you guys have seen this size before for the quest. Trust me these three did qualify which puts me 61 away. After a lot of fishing with bright sunlight and humidity rising I called it a morning knowing I had met my challenge. I dressed 7 from this cooler, all landed on the super Muddler.

As I dressed my catch for the day I soaked up the sweet smell of the Gardenia blooms on one of the many brushes we have in our backyard. Thanks for viewing guys

 

 

 

 

 

Fishing For Bluegill With Bryson

Our daughter brought the grandchildren Bryson and Laelyn down this week for a visit. Bryson was all ready for another trip to the local pond near our house to land some more bluegills. The humidity, gnats, and mosquitoes were just too abundant for an afternoon trip so we opted for an early morning outing, which worked out much better for both of us. I worked on his casting skills on this trip for a little while, until I decided it was too hard for him to master at this time. I don’t want to rush him into doing anything that he is not interested in doing. There are always other trips that will help him with his fishing skills.  

Got to get those red worms dug before we can land any bluegills. Digging for worms is about as much fun as landing the bluegills.

Selecting that just right fat worm. Bryson said it had to be a fat worm so he went through the dirt until he found that fat worm

First fish of the morning on that fat worm, this fish really had to be inspected, we looked at the eyes, gills, and fins

This fishing is hard work, time for a quick snack, with peanut butter and cracker

Got to have that water too

Standing on the soft moss lifting this bluegill from the water's edge

He has learned how to land his own fish now, when that float goes under he knows to retrieve that fish 

Trying not to lose that worm

This fat worm received the name "Oscar"

Sparing Oscar's life; he gets to go home with Bryson, this can is his new home

A fun afternoon fishing with Bryson!

Experimenting With The Seal Leech Pattern

Fishing the Trout Derby Saturday on the Sipsey tailrace afforded me the opportunity to experiment with different fly patterns and different fishing techniques. The experimenting came about because of the slow bite while fishing the Derby. There was virtually no hatch, which resulted in limited dry action and slow nymph action. A lot of the fisherman started going through their fly boxes to select a pattern that might get some takes.

I had tried all the usual patterns in the dries and nymphs with no luck, so I tied on what I like to call a mini bugger in the form of a fly called the Seal Leech, David at The Trout Zone tied for me back in the spring.

So with about 20 minutes left before check in I tied on the Leech. I knew I was going to fish the fly dead drifting and swing casting it through some of the runs I fished earlier in the morning with the dries and nymphs. I had lost two trout around 9 AM on nymphs in this run, so back for those two and hopefully more. I waded into position and made my first cast up stream and let the line swing into a curve position and started to strip line when I got my first take. It was no earth shadowing take but I knew I had a trout on immediately. I promptly landed, photographed and measured the trout which measured 10 inches and released it back into the water. I checked my watch for the time, which indicated Charles and I had roughly 10 minutes to make it back to the fly shop to check in at the 12 AM hour. So reluctantly I waded out of the water to where Charles was waiting and we walked back to his truck and LEFT!!

 

So with one cast, one unique pattern and no time left to make additional cast that ended my Derby for this year; but rest assure I will be back next year with this little leech and ready for any eager trout to take it. That one take and one trout proved something to me Saturday to always be innovative and experiment, because you never know when you will tie on that magic pattern.





 

Fishing in the Ragin Cajun Fishing Derby

I normally don’t fish anymore on weekends, now that I am retired; but getting to fish in the Derby Saturday was worth wetting a fly. As mention in Thursday’s post Charles was my fishing partner for the morning. We arrived at the Riverside Fly Shop on the banks of the Sipsey Tailrace around 6 AM. No one could actually go on the water until 7 AM. The 6 AM time was needed to go over the rules and hand out packets including meal tickets and coupons for the drawing of the big trout prize which was the KC kayak. The other prizes were a guided fishing trip, mystic fly Rod combo and cash to be awarded at the conclusion of the event at 2 PM.

There was an excellent turnout with over 45 participates fishing either from a kayak or wading. We were informed at the 6 AM meeting that numbers of trout measuring 16 inches to 20 inches had been released in the tailrace on Thursday, so all the participates perked up when they heard that bit of news. No one landed any that size for the morning. The largest trout recorded for the day was a little over 13 inches which won that individual the Kayak. On the Sipsey Tailrace a trout 12 inches to 16 inches is considered a nice catch.

I can’t say enough about how well the event was planned and organized by Randy and Brandon owners of Riverside Fly shop. Both these guys have done so much to promote fly fishing on the Sipsey and in the state of Alabama. What a pleasure it was to get fish in the Derby this year with my buddy Charles. Both of us agreed we will be back for next year’s Derby.

Early morning arrivals at the front of the fly shop

Some of the first participates signing in

Kyle one of my former students, getting his flies set up for the morning. He is an outstanding fly fisherman, who fishes the Sipsey a couple of times a week. I hope to get to fish with him Tuesday on the Sipsey.

Two retires who love the sport of fly fishing--Charles it was good fishing with you today

We spot one lone fly fisherman in the distance, as we make our way to a couple of runs, which by the way we got to fish

More fishermen going to their favorite spot--it did get a little crowded at times, but there were no complaints from anyone.

My first and only trout of the day; it was tough day for everyone, there were no fish taken at all on dries, the few that was landed were taken either on nymphs or small streamers. I landed my only trout on the Seal Leech tied by David at The Trout Zone. There was no hatch at all during the five hours everyone was allowed to fish, which eliminated the dry action. Everyone was given a ruler to measure their trout and then release the fish. The camera was used for verification of the catch. Ten fisherman scored with landing trout out of 45 participates.

Some of the great eats that was prepared for lunch

The gumbo was outstanding, with the smoked sausage.

Some of the fishermen listening to Bob Shanks, who gave a great presentation on Unconventional Fly Fishing

Mr. Shanks talking about his years fly fishing all over the United States. It was really interesting listening to him talk about his trips out west, especially in Montana. Some of the unconventional ways he fly fishes were intriguing. At 83 he said he still fishes 200 days a year with each trip he makes averaging about 3 hours. He is the author of "Around The Next Bend" Adventures in Fly Fishing. If you are interesting in ordering his book, you may contact him at bshanks29@gmail.com

The KC kayak big prize of the day

Even a wild turkey showed up for the event--thanks guys for viewing