[Dartgod]

I went to Bennett Springs over the weekend and has pretty good success. We drove down Friday morning and were on the stream fishing by 11:00. I was mainly throwing a rooster tail in zone 2. Had a lot of interest in it but never could get a solid hit.

We broke for lunch and a nap and went back down around 5:00 to fish until the whistle. Still not much success on the rooster tail. So I got out my fly rod, which I have NEVER caught a trout on. Had it for about 8 years. Truth be told, I never give it much time before I go back to the ultra light. Anyway, I was floating a white threaded jig and was getting a few bites but couldn't close the deal. It was getting very late and I knew the whistle was going to be blowing soon. Getting skunked was a definite possibility. I missed another hit and pulled my jig into the trees behind me and had to break it off. I knew I didn't have time to rig up another tippet and tie everything up so I frantically tied a jig to my ultra light and put on a float. I finally caught a nice trout and about 3-4 minutes later the whistle blew. Whew, skunk averted!

We got down to the stream early the next morning and waited for the whistle. Once again throwing a bumble bee rooster tail, I caught 5 in about 20 minutes. I tried the fly rod again while the feeding frenzy was still on, but again I could not close the deal despite several bites. Went back to the rooster tail and caught one more before it completely died down.

We took a break for breakfast and went back an hour or so after we ate. It was slow going, not much happening on the rooster tail or the fly rod. We went over to zone 3 for a bit and I caught 5 more on power bait. Another break for lunch and a nap and then we were back down for the evening.

We went back to zone 2 and threw the rooster tail for awhile but not much happening. I got out the fly rod again and floated the same white jig. Started getting some bites and I finally hooked one! Landed him and everything! This was a long time coming and quite a thrill. Not to be satisfied I did it again a short time later. That was it although I missed some more hits but at least I was making progress.

Sunday morning we were back down early to find our spots and wait for the whistle. Once again the bumble bee rooster tail was working early on. I caught five before the frenzy ended. It was pretty much dead after that so I figured I'd try the fly rod again with the same white jig. I had even better success than the day before and landed 5 on the fly rod before we had to pack it up and head home.

This is kind of a long report, but I am still geeked that I finally had success with my fly rod. I still have a LOT to learn and my casting skills are sub-par. But I am really looking forward to getting better and catch more fish consistently.

Total fish caught for the weekend, 24 including 7 on my fly rod.