ROFL

I like the stories that start with "You're not going to believe this " or " Let me tell ya about the one that got away ".

I like to fish for Crappie, Largemouth Bass, DAMN, I just like to fish, period.

I love to fish, don't go as often as I'd like. Not a big game fisherman like Bwana but this pic is what started my fishing fever, I'm maybe 4 when it was taken.

Last October the mrs and I spent a week in Cabo. She and I rented a 31 foot bertram with "Got Caught" fishing charters. I caught 40 lb
mahi mahi/dorado. It took dam near 15 minutes to real it into the boat. I was completely shot by the time it got to the boat. We only saw one blue marlin dammit and we could not get it to bite any of our live bait. We caught some of those yellow finned tuna also. The next night we went down to the marina area and looked at the flags up on the back of the boat, the same boat we were on caught three blue marlin the day after we were on it :banghead: ..... It was very very enjoyable trip. I'm trying to talk my wife into going again. We stayed at the Fiesta Americana resort. It was a first class place just several miles east of Cabo. Did you go to Cabo Wabo? We had GREAT FOOD at that place of Sammy's. We just missed his annual b-day party by two nights. Next time we go I will make sure we're there for Sammy's b-day. They say its a BLAST.

You can eat some great food at Cabo in all the nice rest.

I can't beleave this thread was started today.
I just got back to my office. A buddy of mine and I
just picked up some new gear at the local Walmart
for going to Canada in June. We took a very long extended noon hour and got our rigs ready to go.

We're going to Canada using "Excellent Adventures"
out of Ear Falls, Ontario. That outfitter really has its shit togeather.
Two years ago we had lots of good luck using the old tried and true
Blakemore roadrunner with northern underbelly. Little Joe Spinners worked well too with Northern underbelly.

I really like to catch crappie. Heck, nothing wrong with
big Blue Gills either. Catch a mess of them and fryem up.

If I catch a bass its just out of pure luck :)

C.H. If you don't mind, hook me up with the guys web page if he has one. I have wanted to go to Canada for years piking and am thinking about doing it this summer. Finding a good guide or captain makes or breaks the trip.

Henry is this it?

http://www.exc-adventures.com/

I went to Canada several years ago and had a great trip. Caught walleye and northern all day long. Reeled in several big ones too. I went to Anderson's Lodge at Siox lookout, On. Spent most of my time on Lac Seul.
You might try them. Lodge was ok, food was good, guide was good and the fishing was great.

To be honest, if I'm out fishing with my brother and friends, I could give two shits about the lodge as long as the fishing is good and the guide isn't a stiff. I did a king salmon trip in Alaska 3 years ago and the guide was a tool. The guy even had a bunch of Bronco crap hanging all over his office. On the trip, he didn't deliver what he had said and I wouldn't give him all his money. It about came down to a scrap, but he backed down and we drove to Homer and salyed the Halibut.

Yeah, but you have to admit Captain Tom was gem and had a pair. ROFL Hell he would stay out there when the seas got nasty so we could catch one more hawg while every other swing'n dick captain's were headed back to shore.

I'm the same way. I'm there for one reason, catch fish! And Anderson's came through with flying colors. I caught fish all day long, every day. The guide, while young, knew his stuff. And to top it off, cooked one helluva shore lunch. I literally hurt myself the first day, ate so many walleye fillets all I did was lay around on the boat and moan for the next couple hours.:thumb:

Yes it is. Faron and his wife know what they're doing for sure.
I would not hesitate to recommend this outfit to anyone. THe planes are in very good shape, the cabins are clean and well stocked with lots of extra's. This year they have put two way radio's in all of thier out post cabins from what I understand too. That way you always have some for m of communication. You can tell they've been doing this for
along time and they KNOW what they are doing.

Good luck, ay.

Bwana,

This summer will be my 5th trip to Canada. One of the guys I go with has made well over 40 trips up north. He's seen it all. He swears by this outfitter. The other outfitters have all treated us well and I have NO complaints about the others I've had the chance to use. TRUE I have heard some horror stories from my good friend that is a vetran of Canadian fishing trips, luckily he he knows who's good. I've learned alot from this guy. Ironically my good friend will turn 70 on this trip the first week of June. Boy, we will have some b-day party for him!!!

I just spent $105 bucks at Walmart and I'm about ready for the first week of June.

I gotta run. My mom is coming intown for Easter I
have to go pick her up. Excellent Adventures will
treat you right. It sounds like you would want to go on an American Plan. American Plans usually provide you witha guide and they prepare your meals that way too. American Plans will cost you about an extra $250-$350 for one week.

Likewise, save a few for me will ya? Don't keep all the hawgs.:(

Montana just got trout plates that you can special order. I have a set like this on my jeep.

:rolleyes:.....it's not funny or cute the second time around.


and killer uses it as a term of affection.......ROFL

Jazzzlovr and I found ourselves sitting on the shore of Lake Taneycomo fishing with my dad a couple of weeks ago. I was the only one that caught anything. The stupid fish was on the hook for ten minutes because it was little more than a minnow with delusions of grandeur that wasn't even shaking my line.

:banghead:

I hate when that happens. Even worse is when you have a line out for 20 or 30 minutes and when you reel it in, there is no bait on the hook. :eek:

I prefer to fish for Crappie, which should start in the VERY near future. The females are full of eggs now, so expect some prime crappie fishing within the next two weeks. I usually fish around docks and points at Lake of the Ozarks above Bagnal Dam. My favorite jig is a Chartruce and white 1 1/2 jig with salt added.

Around the first week of July, catfish will be coming off the nest and will give some quality fishing around that time. The best place I know to fish for Cats is Truman Lake in Warsaw, Mo. Chicken liver alwars seems to work well, but shrimp (not salad shrimp) also makes a good option as well.

In my dads ponds, I tend to fish for largemouth more often than not. My prefeered lure is a purple plastic worm with a light slip sinker. Most generally the warmer, the slower the presentation.

Well: I threw a lot of line down at the local fly shop with different rods this weekend and I think I am going to go with the Redington Wayfarer 5 PC 6 weight for a rod, the Orvis mid arbor for a reel and Cortland 555 WF6F line. I think that will be a decent mid line set up without going crazy. I love a few of the Galvan reels, but I don't want to drop that kind of jack on a reel right now. Any of you ever fish with a Redington? I like the fact that they have an unlimited lifetime warranty and the action is fantastic.

Be careful on the Cortland 555. I've heard mixed reviews on it.

Redington's cast great. The Wayfarer is a nice compact travel rod.

I have a St. Croix Avid, and I love it. It's a moderate action rod that loads well when you combine it with a heavy headed line like the Rio Grand or SA GPX.

Really? What would you go with in a WF6F line?

BTW: One of the other rods I am considering is the St. Croix Avid AF865 2-piece or the Temple Fork Lefty Kreh TICR series 9ft.

I just went and looked at some other sites to see what I could find on the 555. It actually seems to get really good reviews from a lot of people. The people that complained (which is what I remembered when the line came out) complained about line memory. That is, the line would coil really bad after being stored on the reel. That being said, they said they could stretch it out and straighten it fairly easily. I haven't had any personal experience with that line, I just had remembered reading some negative press on it when it first came out. There's also a lot of positive press, though.

If you get an Avid, I'd go with a Rio Grand or Scientific Angler's GPX for a line. I haven't cast the TICR, but they're extremely popular, as are all the TFO rods.

Cast them all, and go with what you like the best.

Oh, BTW:

I'm all for supporting local fly shops. I buy almost all of my stuff at mine, as I'm good friends with the owner. That being said, there are some really good deals online for reels. You can probably get one of those Galvans that you want online for the same price you'll pay for the Orvis at the shop.

If you do go online, consider a Lamson. Enclosed drag is sweeeet.

If money were no object, One of my buddys rigs is a Winston Boron IIx spey fly rod with a Galvan T6 reel. I gave that a few flicks and wow! I can't see sinking $1200 into a rig like that though. My luck, I would take a dip and lose the damn thing in the drink.

I'd love to get a spey rod.

As for damaging equipment:
I just shelled out $175 for a Lamson Radius reel. First day I took it out, I ended up dropping it on the pavement and dinging the hell out of it. No structural damage, but it broke my heart. I just bought this beautiful new reel, and it's already got a huge scar on it. Oh well. At least it's broken in now.

Hey, as long as the action is ok like you said, it's broken in. ROFL One thing I have to step up for is a pair of those Simms breathable Gore waders though. Man those things are nice. Breathable being the key word. I'm with you on giving the local shop as much business as I can, but I am also not going to take a beating when I can get the same equipment for around half price. I think this guy will step up to the plate and give me a decent deal. I have a feeling I will be getting the Simms On-line though.

Waders definitely aren't something to skimp on. I fished with cheap, leaky waders for 2 years while I lived in Colorado. Nothing like having cold, numb feet every day you fish.

The Simms G3s are the bomb. I have Patagonia SSTs which I like a lot as well, but there's no arguing with the quality of Simms.

Two quick notes:

1. If you're going primarly for trout longer rods may seem like a great idea when you're at the dealer casting in a 25 foot clear area or casting in your back yard. However, when you're on a trout stream you're going to have trees over your head and brush in every direction. The longer the rod the more you're in the trees.

Getting 9x tippet into a size 18 fly is hard enough while standing in moving water. Don't give yourself extra work.

Plus, a big trout stream averages about 25 or 30 feet across. You really don't need the longer cast that longer rods offer.

2. Unless you can cast with the best of them, stick with WF or DT fly line. Casting a line without taper is like trying sling a peice of twine with no weight on the end across the room.

Oh agree WF is the only way to go, That is some sweet line.

I'm an avid catman, though I like crappie too (ultra-light only!). I generally like minnows during summer, and yellow jigs during winter for the crappie (and occasional cat). For cats in the spring I use fresh (preferably!) or rotted shad, and fresh chicken livers. Summer I use cheese, and occasionally if they're really not biting some dough bait. In fall, I use leeches, and again good ole minnows. During winter I only use shad and river worms.

I've got a question for the experienced fly fishermen. I fly fish, maybe about a dozen times a year in the NY metro area for trout. Once or twice a year I'll fish some private water for bigger fish (trout).

Here is my question - what the heck is the difference between a $30 fly reel and a $300 fly reel. IMO, as inexperienced as it is, the reel - for the most part is simply a place to store your line. It isn't used to cast and trout don't usually take you down to your backing so the drag (for general trout fishing) doesn't seem all that important to me. I've caught trout up to about 5 lbs and never had a fish spool me or come close. So, what's the deal with expensive reels?

A lot of them are a lot smoother. Next time you are in a fly shop, check out a good Galvan, Bauer, Tibor, Abel or some of the other really nice ones. Those things are so damn smooth it will make you piss yourself. Will it catch you more fish, likely not, but damn are they nice and you will feel the difference big time.

The more expensive the reel, generally, the smoother the drag. There is, however, a certain amount of reputation and aethestics attached to price as well. For instance, Lamson Waterworks uses the same drag on all their reels, but prices range from $175-$650. The difference is in materials used for fabrication, complication of design, and just amount of machining.

You're right that, in most situations, the reel is mainly a place to store line. There are, however, some instances where a smooth drag is absolutely necessary. On tailwaters, with very clear water and very small insects, extremely fine tippets (6X+) are often required, especially when you're using a small fly (like a midge pattern) because the tiny fly isn't presented naturally when it's attached to a big, thick hunk of tippet. Now couple those tiny tippets with the fact that you're fishing for, hopefully, some large fish (20"+), and you've got to be able to finesse the fish in. This requires a smooth drag. Generally trying to pull the fish in by hand will result in the fish breaking off.

That's the (good) reasoning for an expensive reel with trout. There's also the fact that some people just like to own nice shit.

Just to demonstrate the difference in reels. Same drag system, but different materials and design:

$595:
http://www.waterworks-lamson.com/ima..._salt_spey.jpg

$145:
http://www.waterworks-lamson.com/ima...on_radiusb.jpg

Major difference. Not sure it's $450 worth of difference, but anyway.

http://www.brookingsonline.com/graph...Clearwater.jpg

$39 dollar Orvis Clearwater Classic and never once lost a fish to line breaking or drag issues. It's brought in some big ones in its day too.

IMHO there are only two reason you need a advanced drag system:

1. Your fishing for bonefish down in Florida or king salmon in Alaska.

2. To show off to your fishing buddies.

Between the flex in an 8 foot fly rod and the elascticity of the line you don't need anything fancy for trout.

Half way home. I just "stole" one of these for $155.00.

http://www.flylogic.com/proddetail.c...tid=1&fishid=0


This thing has a great feel to it. What do you fly heads think? Now the quest for the reel begins. I really like the feel of the Galvan Torque, but I don't really want to drop that kind of cabage on a reel. Any ideas of a good reel to go with this rod without taking out a second morgage on he house?

Couldn't agree more. I've never understood spending money on a reel. I think I spent about $50 on my Ross, and it's been great.

The rod is a different story. Pay for what you get there.

Wish I could help dude. I think you're fishing bigger water than I ever thought about doing. Looks like a nice setup though. :thumb:

Went yesterday down here in the marshes and bayous of LA. Go about once a week. This was a typical early spring trip. Caught 10 Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout, Specks, really a member of the drum family, not a trout at all.) Two on topwaters pushing 3,4 lbs respectively. Also caught one redfish, + the remaining trout on a soft plastic shrimp. I am moving back to K.C. soon, and it will suck not having the marsh nearby. Guess I'll start fly fishing then.

Oh man, too much fun! I've been wanting to target some redfish and specks with my fly rod. I've had good luck with ladyfish and bluefish down around Destin, but I've yet to hit any specks.

Sweet! Stick a fork in it, it's done. I found a GREAT deal on the reel I was looking for from Cabelas. A Tibor Light Fly Reel for 6, 7, and 8 line taht was $325 on closeout for $175. These things have a drag system like a brick chit house so I will be able to use it on some bigger salmon as well as local trout. :thumb:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=32724

Hey Otter, I knocked the rainbows and browns dead up on the Stillwater today. They were hitting Parachute Adams like they were cotten candy. Strange day though, one minute it was sunny and the next I was standing in the middle of a fricken snow storm with flakes the size of quarters. Good day on the river though!

I'm going to try and catch one of these in a few weeks in Mexico..:eek: I hope I can hook one..

http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smi...ges/marlin.jpg

That's something I haven't had the chance to go after yet Joe, but I plan to. Best of luck to you! :thumb: If you tie into one, make sure to post the pictures here.

Very cool! I've caught a few sailfish. Never hooked a marlin, though. Would love to. My current dream fish:

Tarpon and a Roosterfish

Well, we went canoeing last year and stumppy and his friend kept catching fish, almost one after the other, I didn't catch not even one fish, why would that be?
I tried the same places and different places, I think I caught one little tiny bluegill. :mad:

Went deep sea fishing off the coast of corpus cristie and didn't catch nothing then either. :banghead:

I hate to be the one to tell you this BG, but I hear they were playing a little joke on you and they never did bait your hook all day long. :eek:

Awsome, how's the cast? Little rusty I bet. You'll get back in that groove in no time, it's like riding a bike.

How big were they? I've been fishing a fly only, catch and release area of Clarks Creek since the ice came off and those trout have a PHD in entimology. Smart little bastards, tough to catch.

Last Saturday was the first day of trout here in PA. I usually stay away from the steams for a week or two till that circus runs through.

Bait her hook? Have you ever seen a broad Cast?

I'll bet she had a rubber weight on the end, no hook.

started feeding the catfish again last night. got some 8+ pounders now.
sec

Between 12 and 18 inches yesterday. My cast is getting better, but as you would say, still has a little rust to it. Give me two or three more trips in the next two weeks. :) Just make sure you bring a bunch of the Adams I talked about in my earlier post when you come out and you will slay them.

Went down to Truman yesterday and got the boat out on the lake. Didn't do any fishing (I don't even have my license yet), but I had rebuilt the lower unit over the winter and wanted to make sure everthing was in proper operating condition and it was. Now just waiting to read that fishing report that announces that the crappie are spawning and up on the banks!

As far as fly fishing goes, my wife bought me a fly rod combo LAST YEAR (2003) for Christmas and I still haven't used it. I hope to get down to Bennett Springs this year and take a few rainbow with it.

What weight is the rod and what line are you using Bob?

OK, I'll pretend I know what you are talking about for a moment and answer, "I don't know". Seriously, I know very little about fly fishing. I have practiced casting my dad's rig on a pond, so I do have a clue about that. I'm sure I have a lot to learn in lure presentation, fly selection and other shit I have no clue about.

If you're interested in learning more, check out this site. Or just ask questions on here. I could blab for hours and hours about fly fishing.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/101/


Fishing report:
Got out last weekend for white bass for about 2 hours. The run is still spotty. Landed two nice big females, each going about 3 lbs. Both were caught on chartreuse jiggies (a great fly similar to a clouser).

Got out this weekend for a few hours with my inlaws and nephews. They were fishing with worms in the middle of the channel (I wasn't operating the trolling motor), and I was having to cast about 60 ft. to the shoreline where the fish were actually bedded up. Managed two fat bluegills on a fore-and-aft in about 30 minutes.


On a side note:
My inlaws are predominantly walleye fishermen from the boundary waters. No matter how hard I try, I can't get them to change their techniques away from those that work in Minn. They just want to troll live bait in the middle of the lake. I try to tell them constantly to work the cover and shorelines. I even make ridiculously long casts to the shorelines, pull fish off them, and then make comments about how productive the shorelines can be...all to no avail. They still insist on getting out the fish finder and trolling through "schools" in deep water.

Anyone have any suggestions for how to convince them that Boundary Water techniques aren't necessarily the end all and be all of fishing?

Awww, you will love it once you get into it. You don't have to be a master to catch fish. As long as you can get the fly in front of them if they are rising, you will catch some. :thumb: The weight will be on the rod right in front of the grip. Likely a 6, 7, or 8.

I did have a weight, hook and worm, and also some of those little tiny fish we used for bait, I will bait my own hook.
I do have to admit your right about the casting part, I have a hard time.

There are only 2 things in this world that smell like fish...........and one of them is fish.

whats the other one?
Cause I know you're not going to say the P word :shake:

Yeah, I am looking forward to trying it. I caught small bass (about 10-11 inches) on my dad's a couple of summers ago. I usually just use an ultralight spinning combo and a roostertail or a jig at Bennett, so I'm looking forward to trying out the fly equipment.

Rotten P

Peanutbutter? It might work for catfish bait, but I don't think it smells like carp.....

You won't want anything more than a 5 at Bennett.

Usually the ones that do appear to have peanut butter smell like carp.

Sounds like you're fishing in the wrong ponds pt..........I've always avoided those stagnant swamps. The Bass thumb might not go away.

Awwww, time to hit the river. See you boys tonight!

I just emailed my wife telling her that I wanted to go fishing this afternoon. Her reply:
My reply:

It's time for me to go....I fish a huge pond/small lake...whatever you want to call it. I use minnows and catch the heck out of bass, crappie, and very nice 4 and 5 lb cats...going tomorrow!!!!!!!

yeah man i got the itch aswell. I got some honeyholes im gonna test when i get the chance(maybe next weekend) to see how theyre hittin and whats workin but more than anything to just get out.(kinda ironic since i live in the country,but i really wanna get out in them boonies)

How would you like to hook into this bad boy.

Posted on Fri, Apr. 15, 2005

13 pounds but still too small

By BRENT FRAZEE The Kansas City Star

T.J. Watreas can imagine the fame that catching a state-record Missouri bass might bring.

He came close in mid-March when he landed a giant largemouth at a strip pit and became an immediate celebrity.

“I couldn't believe it,” said Watreas, 39, of Blue Springs. “By the time I went to have that bass weighed on certified scales at a grocery store in Lamar (Mo.), the word was out.

“There was a crowd waiting to see that fish. Kids on bikes were even coming up with cameras, wanting to get a picture.”

The excitement that largemouth bass created was understandable. The giant weighed 13 pounds, 3 ounces, one of the largest bass ever caught in the state.

It was the latest threat to the oldest pole-and-line fishing record on the Missouri books: the 13-pound, 14-ounce bass caught by Marvin Bushong in April 1961 at Bull Shoals Lake

For Missouri fishermen, that standard has become the holy grail. Not only is Bushong's record the oldest on the state books, it is one of the longest-standing bass records in the nation. Only Georgia (1932), Michigan (1934), South Carolina (1949) and Tennessee (1954) have older marks.

And it's not because that Missouri bass is one of the biggest in the country. Seventeen states have larger state records.

But in Missouri, Bushong's record continues to be the one that stays just out of casting range.

“In Missouri, a bass over 8 pounds is rare,” said Kevin Richards, a fisheries supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. “But that doesn't mean there isn't a record fish out there.

“It would have to be a freak: a fish that was very old and survived by finding good resting cover where it wouldn't be bothered by fishermen and boats. And it would have to live where it would find plenty to eat.

“I truly believe bass like that exist. But whether anyone will ever catch that fish, that's another question.”

***

Watreas almost provided the answer to that question on March 19, when he went fishing on a strip pit at Angler's Paradise, a commercial operation near Liberal, Mo., south of Nevada.

Watreas, a guide at the camp, had no illusions of greatness when he set out. He planned a short trip to see whether the bass were hitting.

But the outing quickly turned into much more.

“As I was going down the bank, I saw two big bass suspended near a brush pile,” Watreas said. “I threw a suspending stickbait out in front of them and when I twitched it, one of the fish just moseyed out to take a look.

“Every time I would move it, she would follow. But she acted like she wasn't really interested.

“It wasn't until I gave it a couple quick jerks that she went after it.”

The bass became aggressive once it was hooked, jumping twice and digging hard to get back to the brush pile. But Watreas finally landed it and was able to exhale.

His first impression? Well, slight disappointment.

“To be honest, when this bass came out, I said to myself, ‘Dang, the smaller one is going for it,' ” Watreas said. “The other one actually looked a little bigger.”

But Watreas' disappointment melted when he placed his bass on the scales.

“I usually release the big ones that I catch,” he said. “But this one was hooked through the gills and died.

“So I'll have it mounted.”

And he'll continue to cast for that other big bass that he spotted.

“I caught a bass that weighed 10 pounds, 15 ounces at Angler's Paradise two years ago,” Watreas said. “And there have been other 9- and 10-pound bass caught there.

“It's just a great place for big bass. We manage it for trophy fish — harvesting the small ones and putting a lot of habitat in the water.

“Still, you never expect to catch a fish like this.”

***

Watreas isn't the first fisherman to provide hope that Missouri's elusive record will one day be reeled in.

Take a look:

• In 1985, tournament fisherman Jay Koren of Rockdale, Ill., was whiling away his time at Truman Lake in what had been an unproductive competition for him when he felt something jolt his white spinnerbait. Moments later, he was shocked to bring in a 13-pound, 9-ounce largemouth.

• In 1998, David Bosley and Gary Sexton found a bass floating near-dead on a farm pond in northern Missouri. The fish weighed 13 pounds, 15 ounces — one ounce bigger than the state record. Because they didn't catch the fish on sporting tackle, it wasn't eligible for the record books.

• In 2002, Skip Surbaugh, a guide at Lake of the Ozarks, landed a huge bass and measured it before letting it go. Later, fisheries biologists told him that a fish that long (roughly 27 inches) could have weighed more than 13 pounds. But he'll never know.

So, Bushong's fish still reigns.

“I don't think any of us figured the record would last this long,” Marvin's son, Mike, told The Star in 2002. “At the time, there were a lot of big bass in Bull Shoals. The day after Dad caught this fish, a friend went back to the same spot and caught a 10-pounder.

“But no one could beat Dad's record then — and no one's been able to do it since. There have been bass that have come close over the years and we'd think, ‘Well, it's only a matter of time now.'

“But Dad's record just holds on.”

***

So what would a Missouri state-record bass mean? Fame and fortune?

Well, maybe fame. But don't count on the fortune.

“These state-record fish are never worth as much to the fishermen who catch them as their buddies in the bar tell them they are,” said Larry Whiteley, manager of public relations for Bass Pro Shops, the sporting-goods giant based in Springfield. “Everyone thinks they will get rich if they catch a state record.

“But it doesn't happen. At the most, it might bring some free products and a replica mount.”

Bass Pro Shops does accept donations of state-record fish for display in its aquarium, Whiteley said. But he added, “It's not like we write a check for thousands of dollars for fish like that.”

Why? Bass Pro Shops wants to discourage fishermen from chasing trophy fish for financial gain.

“We do often provide a replica mount,” Whiteley said. “And the companies of the tackle that was used to catch the fish often provide free product. But that's about it.

“The biggest thing the fisherman would get would be his or her moment of fame. But it would be fleeting fame.

“That fisherman would be big news for the moment. But I'm afraid it wouldn't last long.”

Wow, that was sweet the Rainbows were going nuts. I thought I was going to wear out my arms hauling in those hawgs! Great day on the river!

Another good day on the river. Blue wing olive were knocking them dead. :)

And the sky was black with birds.............!!!

I fish for panfish with ultralight tackle. It is great fun and takes alot of skill and hard work to pull in a 2lb. crappie or bluegill on regular monofilament 4lb test. Ultralight fishing is a great way to learn how to bring in a fish. I like to use small 1/8 oz. Rebel crawdads, always my first choice. Use alot of small crankbaits. jigs, small white tailed mepps, small spoons, small spinnerbaits. Never use live bait. I like to keep moving and find the fish, whether it be on the shore or fishing the edges from a boat.

Never been one to get excited to fish for cats. I just don't have the patience to sit there and wait for a bite. I like to go find the fish rather than wait for them to pass by my bait. Sitting on my ass just seems no fun to me.

You're killing me. I got out today for just a couple of hours to do some scouting for new smallmouth waters. The white bass run is still on, but the crowds are just too much. I caught nothing, but did find some promising new water. Hopefully I'll get out today for some white bass.

I think I'm going to be sick. These guys were fishing in the exact spot I always stand when I go for whities. Too bad I got talked out of going fishing this weekend.
:banghead:

I went again Saturday and did well on the Blue wing green olive in the morning and killed them in the afternoon during a hatch on the March Brown. The bows were going crazy and there were a few bowns mixed in there.

So....Any luck? All the streams and rivers around here are un-fishable thanks to a butt load of rain and melting snow. I hope some of you others have some monster fish tales.