Adding to my Super Size Bluegill Goal

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.

My Favorite House on Smith Lake--- and Fishing With Jason

I made an outing today with my son Jason. He had a day off so we decided to fish the lower end of Ryan Creek on Smith Lake. We were at the lake at daylight which is the best time to land quality fish using the poppers. The morning started off with a bang when Jason landed a nice 18” spot using an olive Wooly Bugger. The fish gave the 9 ft. 4wt. all it could handle by stripping drag numbers of times before he finally landed the fish. Jason is really into landing nice quality Spotted Bass. Nothing was happening on top, and the morning was slow especially after the sun came up. I will be making another trip tomorrow in hopes of adding to my bluegill goal---stay tuned.

Not big but quite a fight on the 4 wt he hit the size 6 crawfish

Jason with his 18" spot--they never quite fighting

This was a male spot caught in one of the many treetops on Ryan Creek

The Rhododendron is in full bloom all over the lake

One of three Bull Bluegills I landed using the size 6 crawfish--really surprised the bluegill's hit this pattern--but these big boys must have been hungry---I am now 53 away from my goal!!

There are a lot of big homes on Smith Lake, if I was offered any home on Smith this would have to be my favorite. The lumber in this house was transported by train from the countryside in New York. All the rafters, floor joists, exposed beams inside the house, and parts of the interior walls were removed from a barn in the countryside area. The sunroom in this house is setting out over the water; steel beams that are anchored in the rock wall support the sunroom itself. The garage is off to the right. The house is actually called the barn. I saw the owner one day on his pier and told me the story behind the house. 

Another view of this outstanding home on Smith Lake

3 New Blogs Worth Viewing

I am always discovering new blogs; some I really like and some I don’t have a lot in common with. I few things that look for in a good blog are short post and to the point, a topic that will get my attention and last but not least are fantastic images. I recently added these three new blogs to my roll:

Brookfield Angler—this is really a great blog dealing with everything fishing from the boat, to the reels and rods. I especially enjoy his post dealing with warm water fishing. The links on this blog are interesting as well, dealing with Product Reviews, Fish Links and even Fish Porn. This one is well worth viewing!!

Devinfishingreport---This young man reminds me of myself when I was his age. Devin is a fish enthusiast; at 15 years old his knowledge of fishing is amazing. All the information he post on his blog is useful and very informative. This is another blog that deals with warm water fishing as well as cold water fishing. I really like his take on his warm water post, especially his crappie post. Check this blog out!!!

Shotguns and Fishing Poles—I feel a kind of kindred spirit here with this blog and its author. I use to be an avid Quail hunter, and Ricky has posted some great topics dealing with Quail hunting. I really got into his post on his first Quail hunt. I get the feel that Ricky is in the same lane as me when it comes to an addiction called fishing. Really a great blog ---check it out!!

The Handy Mini Tippet Ring --Tippet to Leader So EASY!!

Just found something even better than the No Knot Fast Snap. Dave over at FishnDave Blog left a comment on the No Knot Fast Snap Post I did for Monday. He sent me a link dealing with MiniTippet Rings, which is exactly what I am looking for to actually save on leaders. These little rings are even better than the Fast Snap because of the diameter and ease at which you can attach the tippet. These can actually be used with Dry Flies and Midges.  The following is the description of the rings-----Dave said he uses the rings and is sold on them. Thanks to Dave for helping me out here.

Product Overview:
These nickel alloy rings are very small, smooth and seamless connectors between your leader and tippet. Tie one on the end of your leader, then tie the tippet onto the ring These rings make changing or replacing tippet easy without nibbling away at the leader. They really have caught on among competitive fly fishers, because of the speed and ease with which tippet can be changed. May be used on any leader system and are excellent for tying droppers. Though light enough to fish dry flies and midges on 7X tippets, they will handle any load your leader and tippet will bear. Available in the original nickel silver and now in black nickel for use in deep water or low light levels; choose from nominal 2 mm for light to medium leader or 3 mm size for heavy leader and tippet. Made in England, available with 20 or 100 rings per package.

The No Knot Fast Snap Fast Way to Attach Tippet

Today’s post will deal with a fly fishing accessory I recently discovered while searching for some fly line the other day on the net. I am referring to the No Knot Fast Snap, which enables the fisherman to save on leaders. The Fast Snap simply ties into the leader after you have used of the tippet end of your leader from fly ties. It serves as a tiny loop so you can eliminate the blood knot altogether and keep using the leader for a longer period of time. I talk to a fly fishing representative at Bass Pro about the fast snap and he told me that he used it and likes the fact he doesn’t have to tie but one knot as opposed a couple when attaching his tippet. I am one who uses a lot of flies when I am fishing. I use 6 to 8” of tippet every time I attach the fly to the line. I think with the fast snap it gives me more time to be fishing. Has anyone out there used this little gadget? It would be worth a try to see if the positives reviews are for real. The following is a description from Bass Pro

  Change hooks, jigs, lures or flies in just seconds with the No-Knot Fas-Snap and enjoy more time fishing. The innovative, lightweight No-Knot Fas-Snap is designed to be tied directly to your tippet or mono line. No-Knot Fas-Snap will not inhibit casting or presentation and it even floats with a dry fly! 30 per pack   

 I thought I would throw this in---My wife and I have been on a moving spree for the past four days. We have been helping our Son-in-law and Daughter move into another house. I guess you guys have notice I have been absence from the blog, well that is why. I didn’t need any gym this past week, I got all the gym I could handle and more with the move event. When your kids ask you to do something you always say yes---it did put a damper on the fishing.

What is Your Remedy For That Dreaded Line Twist?

Line twist is a common occurrence in fly fishing if one fly fishes enough. I have often wondered why my tippet line sometimes looks like a twisted pretzel when I have completed a cast.  It is so frustrating when you are landing fish and all of sudden you noticed your tippet is tingled into your leader and sometimes even into your fly hook. I have done a little research on the subject and found different opinions from individuals and even fly companies. One opinion is the line size itself; using a larger tippet size will cut down on the twist. The assumption here is the larger tippet size is a bit stiffer making it more difficult for the twist to occur. I was even told that the fly itself can play a part in the twist, especially if the fly has a lot of hackle. They base this assumption on too much false casting which can cause the fly to spin in mid air resulting in line twist. Another theory is having your tippet line too long, which causes the line to overlap in a series of loops which can also cause knots in the line along with twist. I have tried all these suggestions and found that the line size makes more sense and works best for me. Of course one can’t use larger tippet line all the time especially when staking trout on a clear stream. In that situation it would seem you would just have to adjust to a smaller tippet size and accept the fact that you may encounter twist. What is your remedy to alleviate line twist?