The Super Size Coppernose Bluegill on a 5Wt. Fly Rod

On my last post concerning the Tiger Bass I was discussing the habits of this type of bass. When I refer to habits I was stressing how aggressive this bass species is and the fast growth rate it has. Well I forgot to mention the other species that will be stocked in this new lake. Along with the standard bluegill that was stocked in the lake recently there will be the super size Coppernose bluegill which will be stocked out in the summer. This particular bluegill is much bigger than the average bluegill with a growth rate of ½ to ¾ lb. a year. One of the main reasons for the fast growth rate is the feeder pellets used to supplement their diet. There will be two feeder stations on this lake dispensing feed pellets at different times of the day. Along with the insect, aquatic life and pellet nourishments a mature Coppernose can measure as much as 12” in length . A bluegill this size is some kind of fight even on a 5 wt. Once you hook one and they make that turn in the water to position their wide body side ways it becomes a fight to land one on the fly. If you are fishing waters that have a feeder in the area you will notice the aggressive nature of the Coppernose as it feeds on top for the floating pellets. The interaction with the surface pellets brings out the killer instinct in this bluegill causing it to annihilate a top water fly. One of my fishing buddies had the pleasure last year to fish a private lake in South Alabama that had the Coppernose stocked in it. He said that the fight was never ending on his 4 wt. On a scale of good better and best; he said he would rate the Coppernose a best and beyond.

Notice the copper color on the forehead--hence Coppernose

Great Techniques for Streamer Fishing for Big Browns and Rainbows

Guys I have to share this great video clip from the New Fly Fisher. You all know by now that the fly fishing show is my favorite. This particular clip has a bunch of techniques used for streamer fishing for big browns and rainbows. This segment is on the Platte River in Wyoming in the summer. Bill Spicer talks about equipment, line, and the type of streamers he is using. I have learned so much about fly fishing by watching his video clip segments. Whenever The New Fly Fisher puts out a new clip I am on it.  

                                                                                              

                                                                                       

                                                                            

The Tiger Bass a Beast on Steroids

I am kind of behind on my blogging lately. This past week I have been helping one my fishing buddies stock a new lake that has been built about 15 miles from my home. When I say new lake this is probably more of a large pond. It is about 30 areas with depths of 30 to 40 feet in the deepest area. There is plenty of cover throughout the lake and the Alabama Game and Fish has been extremely helpful in letting the owner know the correct number of species of fish to get the lake fish friendly. I thought 50,000 bluegill was a bit much when it came to perch in the lake but the Game and Fish said that one can never have enough feed fish in a lake when you are dealing with predator fish such as the largemouth bass. The particular bass I am referring to here is the Tiger Bass which grows at a tremendous rate and has a very aggressive attitude. This fish can gain as much as 2 lbs per year in a well managed lake. I have talked to individuals who have fished for and landed the Tiger Bass and they compare it to a smallmouth on steroids. Think about the fight on a 6 or 7 wt. fly rod. I am glad that I will have access to this hot lake in about two years. Who knows guys I may do a post in future years that could have a trophy Tiger Bass image attached.  

The Versatile G-Loomis Venture 3 Fly Reel

I am sure some of you guys read the post I did on the purchase of my new Greys XF2 Streamflex 9 ft. 3 wt. fly rod. After getting the rod you know I had to get the perfect reel to match the rod. After searching the net for a week I finally decided that the perfect reel for balance and weight was one that I actually had on my Temple Fork 4 wt.  I am talking about the G-loomis Venture 3. This reel is sold in arbor size 3, 5, and 7. The Venture 3 is the size used mainly for trout and panfish which will spool 2, 3 or 4 wt. line. I should have the reel here some times next week, and FINALLY, I get to try the combo out!!!

 The main reason aside from the weight and size I am impressed with this reel is the free spool. Free spool meaning I can retrieve a pile of line that may be at my feet in a hurry by simply touch spinning the rim face of the reel. The line is spooled up in a hurry without using the handle. The free spool feature alone is worth it because the quicker you get a large fish on the reel the better chance you have landing it. The following is the description of the Venture from the G-loomis Website.

The smallest of our VENTURE Series fly reels; the #3 is made for trout & pinfish and size 2, 3 and 4-weight fly lines where you don't require a lot of backing. The backing capacity is based on standard dacron (2WF plus 120 yards 20#, 3WF plus 100 yards 20#, 4WF plus 75 yards 20#), but we recommend Power Pro "super braid" because you can get more on each spool

Man Did I Pay for Those First Fish of the Season

You know you can only watch so many fishing videos and video clips, before you just have to get out on the water. That water in this case was a private small lake of ten acres. I usually fish this place when everything else is out of kilter. The 4 wt. rigged with one of my Road Kills I purchased from Fly Fishing and Tying Obsessed was the choice of the afternoon. The cream color was getting the most attention with a tiny weight clipped on about a foot above the fly. The hits were extremely slow and most were not heavy enough to set the hook. After about an hour the action played out and I left the wind and the lockjaw fish to itself.

This trip didn’t help my sinus infection that started last week. It only got worst with all the wind and cold breeze. So I spent Saturday morning in Urgent Care getting a shot in my rump and a Z-pack that has made me feel worst than the sinus infection.

I am still waiting for the generation at the lake to stop so I can try out my Streamflex fly rod below the dam. I know the trout are waiting but I just can’t get to them with roaring water pouring out of the generators.  

Water temp was 52 which made for a slow presentation--lots of fun on the 4wt.

The New Hardy Greys Streamflex XF2 Fly Rod Unreal Quality

I know now how to justify getting my new addition to my fly fishing arsenal. I will just say I am getting my tackle in order for the upcoming spring. My last post dealt with this website I found called the Anglers Habitat Ebay Store. For those of you who are not familiar with the site, they sell all types of fly fishing tackle with an added bonus to accept your old tackle as a trade-in toward a new purchase. My new purchase in this case from Habitat was my New Hardy Greys Streamflex XF2 Fly Rod 9 ft. 4 pc 3 wt. I have to thank River Damsel for this purchase. I viewed her post on High Sticking and it was so on point that I had to follow through with this purchase----and am I glad I did. I received my Streamflex Friday and was blown away with the quality and the action. I haven’t fished it as of yet but you can bet I will be going out in the next week or so to give it a try. The appearance, lightness, fast action with a somewhat stiff butt action is what really impresses me about this rod. Oh did I mention that it is made in the USA? To put it simply I am pumped and can’t wait to get on the water with this stick!!!!----and last this fly rod is actually my retirement gift from the teachers at Maddox Middle School. A lot of memories will be made with this particular fly rod!

Wheeling and Dealing for another Fly Rod

Do I need another fly rod? Yes I do after watching the video clip over at River Damsel this week. RD told me she is waiting for her new high sticker to arrive in the near future. I have tried a little high sticking last year with my 7 ½ ft. Temple Fork. I realize then that it would take a much longer rod to effectively achieve success with the sticking technique. So today I started searching for that 9 ft. or better to get that added reach. After searching the web for a while this morning I found this great new website called the Angler's Habitat. This company will actually let you trade in any fly rod you own to go towards your purchase of a new one---how cool is that? I talked to one of their reps and he told me that you could do what they call trading up, which means as you trade up and purchase you could one day end up with your ultimate fly rod. I have a long way to go before I reach that ultimate fly rod; but after finding the Habitat today I have established a good start.

Sprucing Up Your Fly Rods And Reels

Fishing with good equipment is a must for me. I want all my fly fishing reels and rods to work to perfection when I am on the water. My fly rods need to balance out well with any of the reeds I am using. I have said this before but lightness is a big plus for me when it comes to fly fishing. Equipment appearance is also a biggie for me. I not only want top performance from the equipment but it needs to look good as well. I am really into the fly reel colors of silver or brass. You pair those reel colors with a maroon, dark green, or moss, colored fly rod and you got my color combo.
As for appearance for your favorite rod or reel the Mudhole has taken this to a whole new level. They carry a complete line of decorative wraps ranging from snake skin, weaving, marbling, and different types of inlays you can add to your fly rod, spinning or casting rod to spruce it up. One can even add a decal of his favorite sport team on your reel or fishing rod. The handle designs from this place are endless with the checkerboard to all kinds of decorative rings one can add. I really like the effect their butt plates have given to some of my fly rods. If any of you guys are interesting in adding designs to your fly rod you need to take a look at the wrap demo clip below----I really like the snake skin, one of my fly rods may be getting one soon.