Spring Break with Grandchildren

 Cathey and I enjoy the Grandchildren each year during Spring Break, and this year was special because we got to share it with our little "Hallie." She will be two on August 25th. The kids love fishing and always want to go to Walston Bridge pond, close to where we used to live, so that is where we spent one afternoon.  

The pond temp was 58 degrees--no bites on artificial lures, so the kids enjoyed landing bluegill using redworms

Searching for the perfect polished rock in Pop's rock fountain

Nothing like spending time with Grandchildren!!!

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What is Fly Fishing

 

Hi Guys

Sorry, I've been out of the loop of blogging for a while, mainly due to the weather, cold temps, rain, and water temps. I've made a few fishing trips, mainly for the outdoor experience, to the Sipsey Tailrace and Walker County Lake, with limited success. In other words, I'm glad I was using my 2 and 3 wt. Fly rod becasue the bend in the rod produced by a couple of small bluegill and one 5" rainbow was a hoot. 

As most of you know, I am into watching fly fishing videos. When one thinks they know everything about fly fishing, someone proves you wrong. This individual is one of the numerous fly fishermen I follow on Utube. He recently filmed a video titled What is Fly Fishing, I thought why would I want to watch this video but once I started watching it I realized he shared some interesting points about this great sport. Take a look and see what you think? 

Video-What is Fly Fishing

The Most Realistic Nymphs Ever!!

 These nymphs have to be the most realistic nymphs I have ever seen. I ordered both patterns. I can't wait to give them a try on the Sipsey and Smith Lake. 

The bodies of these nymphs are hard body and have weight. 
 

Fly Fishing the Streamer on Lakes

 

Guys, I hope everyone is getting into the Christmas Spirit. I was scanning through my blog the other day, viewing past posts. March was when my fishing season always started, which is 70 to 75 days from today. Mid-March is when the spawn begins for the spotted bass on Smith Lake. They start moving into the lake's nooks. Unlike largemouth, the spotted bass usually spawns in water 4 to 6 feet deep. They are in the mood to hit almost any lure this time of year because they have been dormant during winter. The streamer is my favorite fly to toss during the early spawn, moving it with a slow drop-retrieve and waiting for that savage hit to occur! I feel I'm not the only fisherman counting the days to feel the tug of that first fish on the popper, nymph, dry fly, or streamer. 

Here's wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Looking Forward to Spring

 The coming months are considered a slowdown in my fishing trips, especially on the lake. Lucky for me, I don't live in the frigid Northeast or out West. Hats off to any of you guys who brave the elements to wet a fly in the streams or rivers in that part of the country. Here, 30 degrees is considered super cold. So, I will occasionally visit the tailrace to land a few rainbows and keep abreast of the latest fly fishing news compliments of the internet.   

I have been following a couple, Torin and Paige Rouse, who are walking across America, all fifty states. Their travels are being done in loops, which will take two and a half years. Their first loop started in Chillicothe, Missouri their home state, traveling west into Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. They made their way into Alabama on Monday starting their next loop into Florida, then Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and farther northward. If you would like to join me as a follower of their website   Walking America Couple

This couple makes me wish I was young again! 

One of my recent trips to Smith Lake with my son, Jason, is still fresh in my memory. The trip occurred in June when the water temperature was 70 degrees. Jason landed this 12" plus spotted bass using his Streamflex 4 wt. 9ft. flyrod. The drag on his Gloomis fly reel engaged several times while landing the bass. He was using a 6X tippet which is the reason he was careful landing the bass. This size spotted bass on a light fly rod such as a 3 or 4 wt. can pop a light tippet quick. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Time Lost

 I'm back after missing the month of September without submitting a post. Cathey and I have been busy with our Grandchildren and helping our son finish work on his house in Birmingham. This has been the longest time for me to go without fishing in the fall. One of my fishing partners decided a while back that he was getting too old to fly fish anymore, so that was another setback in my days fishing on the lake. I hope to find another fly fishing partner for next season. There are only so many fly-fishing guys located in Jasper, Alabama. I am glad Jason came home last week, which allowed me to catch up on fishing at Smith Lake. 

We managed to land a couple of Spotted Bass fishing the rock wall in the background using a couple of streamer patterns. The crawfish and the bluegill streamers were the patterns the bass were hitting using a slow-motion retrieve. The hits were light and not as aggressive as in the Spring. The water temp has cooled to 70 degrees, which accounts for the slower takes. 

The Fall colors are starting to take shape on the lake. It was good to be out on the water and feel the tug of a fish on the streamers. During this time of the year, the pull-down is on, meaning the lake is now at its lowest of the season. 

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We were surprised when I got this largemouth bass to soft-hit my boggle bug popper. We kept thinking we would get a take on the top before we left, and this bass proved us right! A great way to end the afternoon!