Fished another local pond on Sunday. I had to take full advantage of the summer-like conditions. Kat was a trooper and tagged along to catch some rays.
This particular pond is no secret, I seemed to be the last to the party and the fishing reports weren't great. Nevertheless, I had done some scouting on the topo maps before hand and had some ideas on where to try - spots which could be easily overlooked. Sure enough, the areas were looking as good in person as they looked on the map and the bass were out in force.
A chartreuse and white murdich minnow twitched overtop the weeds was the ticket. Fished an hour or so and caught 6 bass and a crappie and missed/lost a few others. None of the bass were very large and a couple were quite small. That being said, they hit hard and fought a good fight. Most were stocky 12-14 inchers.
All in all it was a great way to spend the afternoon. The lesson to take away from this is that a little homework can go a long way even on small water.
Some pix to come.
Tightlines.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
T n A Bunker
This is a version of Galloup's T n' A bunker. I used and Allen egg hook trailer hook size 4 and a 8089 size 6. Don't worry, the 8089 size 6 is a big hook.
My twist is to use laser dub for the head to add a little sparkle and some bulk. Note that I "made" the yellow laser dub by chopping up sections of sculpin wool and ice wing. Then I placed the sections on two dog brushes and rubbed them together until the wool and flash looked clean and fully blended. I can tell you my blend looks and acts just as the store bought stuff.
The original pattern has a much thinner head but I see nothing wrong with a fly that pushes some water.
If you have any questions let me know.
Oh and yellow and white is simply because I had it on the table. I've never used this combo before but I guess it could work.
One last note, since the tape started at 1 this is in fact a 4" not 5" fly.
Tightlines.
My twist is to use laser dub for the head to add a little sparkle and some bulk. Note that I "made" the yellow laser dub by chopping up sections of sculpin wool and ice wing. Then I placed the sections on two dog brushes and rubbed them together until the wool and flash looked clean and fully blended. I can tell you my blend looks and acts just as the store bought stuff.
The original pattern has a much thinner head but I see nothing wrong with a fly that pushes some water.
If you have any questions let me know.
Oh and yellow and white is simply because I had it on the table. I've never used this combo before but I guess it could work.
One last note, since the tape started at 1 this is in fact a 4" not 5" fly.
Tightlines.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Sunday Funday
Got some time to fish the local pond for an hour or so. Caught 3 scrappy bass and a black crappie (add another to the species list). Not bad for an hour and a half. Clouser was getting it done - when in doubt go with the clouser minnow.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
FYI
For those who care to know (I doubt that anyone actually does) but the Scott ST is the same fly rod as the STS. Scott added the second S kinda midstream, so the first rods produced were labeled ST and the later rods were labeled STS. Nevertheless, they are the exact same rod and may be the best tarpon rod out there.
Why all the commotion, well call off the search, we located an STS 9011/3 on eBay and executed. It is currently on the way. So the search for the old Scott ST is over.
Why all the commotion, well call off the search, we located an STS 9011/3 on eBay and executed. It is currently on the way. So the search for the old Scott ST is over.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Scott ST 11 wt
This is a message in a bottle so-to-speak, does anyone have or know someone who has a Scott ST 11 weight in good condition and is looking to sell it or would think about parting with it. Its an old model.
Feel free to let me know.
Feel free to let me know.
Final Numbers
I went 3 for 5 and Dad went 1 for 5. Not bad on the fly rod and we blew a bunch of shots early. Unfortunately, no big ones but believe me when I tell you 60 pounds of tarpon is plenty of fish. The triple-digit fish will be on the docket next time.
Our last day ended with fewer shots than the first two days but we executed our casts and presentations and each brought one to the boat.
Dad got a "little" one that would go 30 pounds and because the battle was a little less chaotic I was able to get a video. Hopefully, I'll be able to load it soon. I only got a portion of the end of the battle but I still captured two cool jumps!
Observations
1. The backcountry tarpon game is all about accuracy and I intend to ramp up the practice before the next trip - a hula-hoop and red paper plate should do the trick. The game requires putting the fly in a hula-hoop at 40-50 feet more often than not. Although the backcountry scene doesn't require long casts, as with all saltwater fishing, the ability to load a rod is helpful.
2. Tarpon in the woods don't seem to differentiate between fly patterns. Although we did not experiment, I'd bet the old adage applies - dark water dark fly.
3. Modern "fast-action" fly rods may be good for casting in a yard but they're not good for fishing (did some side-by-sides). I'll post a good-old rant later about this one.
4. Don't worry as much about "strip-striking" as people say. It's more important with other fish. I am not saying don't strip-strike. What I'm saying is that, in this case, the strike is not some extra action. With these tarpon, and presumably others, you want to keep stripping with the rod tip low. When the line gets tight hold on and keep it tight until the fish forces the line out of your hand and I mean hold it until you physically cannot hold it any longer. When they eat they get mad - the hooking process doesn't take very long. This is hard to explain if you haven't experienced it, but essentially if you keep the line tight they will hook themselves. That technique, as opposed to a deliberate strip-strike, was more effective (although it beat the crap out of my hands - don't use shark skin without gloves!) Also, down playing the strip-strike helped avoid the dreaded trout set.
5. Strip slow.
6. The trout set guaranties failure.
7. Over the years I've noticed that freshwater fisherman tend to under estimate the strength of their leaders myself included. If you tie good knots, a clean piece of mono can do serious damage.
8. Tarpon are the greatest fish on the planet with no equal.
Also, we observed some regular snook activity in places where we hadn't seen them since the kill awhile back - a great sign for Dad this summer and a better sign for the future of the fishery.
Great trip with just enough memories to keep me going until next year.
Our last day ended with fewer shots than the first two days but we executed our casts and presentations and each brought one to the boat.
Dad got a "little" one that would go 30 pounds and because the battle was a little less chaotic I was able to get a video. Hopefully, I'll be able to load it soon. I only got a portion of the end of the battle but I still captured two cool jumps!
Observations
1. The backcountry tarpon game is all about accuracy and I intend to ramp up the practice before the next trip - a hula-hoop and red paper plate should do the trick. The game requires putting the fly in a hula-hoop at 40-50 feet more often than not. Although the backcountry scene doesn't require long casts, as with all saltwater fishing, the ability to load a rod is helpful.
2. Tarpon in the woods don't seem to differentiate between fly patterns. Although we did not experiment, I'd bet the old adage applies - dark water dark fly.
3. Modern "fast-action" fly rods may be good for casting in a yard but they're not good for fishing (did some side-by-sides). I'll post a good-old rant later about this one.
4. Don't worry as much about "strip-striking" as people say. It's more important with other fish. I am not saying don't strip-strike. What I'm saying is that, in this case, the strike is not some extra action. With these tarpon, and presumably others, you want to keep stripping with the rod tip low. When the line gets tight hold on and keep it tight until the fish forces the line out of your hand and I mean hold it until you physically cannot hold it any longer. When they eat they get mad - the hooking process doesn't take very long. This is hard to explain if you haven't experienced it, but essentially if you keep the line tight they will hook themselves. That technique, as opposed to a deliberate strip-strike, was more effective (although it beat the crap out of my hands - don't use shark skin without gloves!) Also, down playing the strip-strike helped avoid the dreaded trout set.
5. Strip slow.
6. The trout set guaranties failure.
7. Over the years I've noticed that freshwater fisherman tend to under estimate the strength of their leaders myself included. If you tie good knots, a clean piece of mono can do serious damage.
8. Tarpon are the greatest fish on the planet with no equal.
Also, we observed some regular snook activity in places where we hadn't seen them since the kill awhile back - a great sign for Dad this summer and a better sign for the future of the fishery.
Great trip with just enough memories to keep me going until next year.
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