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!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Fishing Rods That Mimics the Fly Rod And The Tenkara

I really enjoy sharing products with you guys that I find from time to time either on the net or by simply talking with other fishermen. While visiting the Academy Sports in Birmingham a couple of weeks ago I came across what I consider the perfect fishing pole to start a youngster out fishing.

 

 

The B & M Little Jewel 10' Freshwater Ready Rig Panfish Rod is extremely light and easy for even a 4 year old or up to handle. In fact this rod could be the training rod for future Tenkara fishermen. My Grandson will be using the one I bought for him when he comes to visit in October. It comes with the line, float and sinker already attached to the end of the rod. I did keep the float, but I replaced the line with 4 lb. test, instead of the 8 lb. test which came with the rod. A small bluegill will produce quite a bend in this medium light action rod; at 13.00 this rod is a bargain.  I can’t wait for Bryson to give this Little Jewel a try when he comes to visit.

 

Micro Light spinning rods are my second favorite fishing rod next to my fly rods. Before I got back into fly fishing some years ago, the micro light spinning rod was my go to light action rod to fish for crappie and bluegill. I have three micro lights in the 7 ½ ft. lengths that I use to fish for crappie in the spring. Using these rods actually mimics a fly rod in many ways, because of the lightness and of course the length. All the rods I owe are matched with small spinning reels spooled with 4 lb. test line.

                                                                   

For me this is the ultimate in ultra light fishing with a spinning rod; but to get even more micro light extreme Daiwa sell the Daiwa Spinmatic C UltraLight 8 ft. Spinning Rod, which is my other product I want to share with you. This rod gets one even closer to the fly rod again because of the lightness and more length. Imagine using this rod landing bluegill, crappie and even trout.

 

 

 

A Good Road Trip in Choctaw County Mississippi

My fishing trips have taken a hit here lately with my wife and me helping our daughter and husband out with the grandchildren and the newborn. I took a break from the babysitting with my wife last week and spent the week in Mississippi visiting my brother. We didn’t do any fishing but made a couple of road trips that proved to be very productive.  One of the days involved selling my brother's older bass boat, and traveling to the Mississippi Tennessee line to purchase a 1985 Bass Tracker TX in great condition. It needs some minor work before he puts it on the water, but it will prove much safer than what he had. Thursday the day before I left for home we decided we would make a trip to our old home place where we were raised as boys.  Going back to these places always brings back some fond memories. We also paid a visit to our Great Great Grandfathers cemetery; which is located at his old home place now isolated in a wooded area in Choctaw county Mississippi. I did a post about the cemetery sometime back, but I wanted to share some new photos of our restoration work in the cemetery.

We finally located all the pieces of the headstone of our GG Grandfather, which shows his birth 1800—1874—74 years is a remarkable age to survive in that day and time

This is a concrete slab placed over the grave with a long inscription engraved in the top part ---the slab was 4” thick and has broken over the years

James’s wife Mary is buried beside him with a 4” concrete slab covering her grave with an inscription as well---1808—1874---66 years of age at her death

Placing treated 4 X 4’s around the cemetery will ensure it stays intact, for years to come. My brother's son will take care of the cemetery after we are gone.

I thought it would be appropriate to make a sign indicating the name of the cemetery.

This is one of four other graves with rock headstones and footstones with no names on them buried to the left of James Trussell’s grave. We know this is not any of the children, because I have accounted for all of them when I did the research for our family tree. 

My brother’s Badboy proved to be the way to reach the cemetery and haul all the posts and equipment we needed to restore it. We have found out that one can go on a great road trip with this vehicle; an enjoyable day for both of us.

What Characteristics Determines a Good Fishing Partner?

This is a follow-up post from my “To Fish With or Without Someone” post. Today I thought I would discuss the following characteristics that I think make a good fishing partner. I realize this may not be that important to some of you guys, but for me, as I get older it is something that I tend to focus on when I am fishing with someone else. So I will start with the one I consider the most important for me:

 I really enjoy fishing with someone who loves the sport as much as I do.

 I prefer to fish with fly fishermen, this is especially true if I am fishing from my boat or fishing from the boat of another individual. It really makes it difficult if the individual in the boat with you is baitcasting and you are trying to fly fish. The speed difference is tremendous between the baitcasting reel versus the fly reel.

 A fishing partner with a good personality can go a long way in determining whether or not you have an enjoyable trip.

 Someone who is very knowledgeable of the sport and is willing to share information about the sport as well.

 Fishing etiquette, by that I mean someone who is not selfless in sharing fishing space on a stream or fishing from a boat; if you are fishing in the front of the boat leave water for your partner to land fish as well. I always try to share any productive spot I am fishing with my fishing partner, especially if that individual isn’t landing fish; an example of what I am referring to is my last fishing trip on Walker County Lake this year:

 Ivan one of my fishing buddies was fishing with me that morning. He decided to fish the west side of the lake in his little aluminum boat and I decided to fish the east side of the lake in my Pelican. We both knew that the spawn was coming to a close, so we needed all the advantage we could muster. I found spawning bluegill first and wanted to share my find with him, especially after learning he had not landed any big bull bluegills. I pulled his aluminum boat to the spot and he was able to land some super size gills from the spot as well.

 Over the years I have fished with lots of individuals who I consider great fishing partners, but there are a few I would have left behind.