Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Fishing With Paul

Sunday afternoon.

Sunny and windy (I mean the weather).

Evans Lake

Pontoon Boats (not)

UltraLight & Cranky Baby

Largemouth Bass!


Nice Fish!

Photos by Paul


Weigh in

Measurement


Tagging

Ready to go

Stats
Tag ID 14 - AKA "Pierre" W=2.1lb, L=16.0"


I did let Paul try out my new 4wt shorty rod. I think he is hooked!

On The Wing

I love pictures.

We recently got a new camera and I gave it a try on some pigeons, seagulls, and shore birds in Palacios, TX.

I like wildlife and am an admitted bird watcher so when we saw these guys out on some jetties enjoying the morning sun, I thought they would make good subjects for some action shots.


Coming in for a Landing

Pier Glider

Wing Tips

Taking Off

Preening


Not quite ready for National Geographic but working on it!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Cranky Baby

I've been reading some articles lately about using a small crankbait for crappie.

I picked up some tiny cranks at Academy Sports & Outdoors not long ago.


After losing two more bass on the BGW, I decided to try the little crank.

Behold! The Power of the Press!


This white crappie really took the small bait and as shown here almost swallowed it. Fortunately, I was able to retreive it with my hemostats with no damage to the fish.

This green sunfish was also tempted to this little lure.
Check out the markings on his fins.


Not to be outdone, the bass had to get in in the action too.

This little guy is the smallest one yet.
This is the future lunker of the pond.
Tag ID 25 - AKA "Baby" W=.30lb, L=9.25"



Even this good sized slab thought it was worth a try.
Tag ID 09 - AKA "Homer" W=1.2lb, L=13.5"



It was windy and cloudy with high humidity and was warm enough for shorts. Not a bad way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Hugo

One more for the study.

I tried the BGW in Evans Lake this evening and after losing the first two fish, I finally got a good hookup on this nice largemouth. I was casting a long way out using 4lb test mono and a light rod. It's hard to get a solid set with so much stretch in the system I'm using. I do like light tackle so I guess I'll have to be saisfied to lose one once in a while. Maybe I need to sharpen my hooks!



Tag ID 11 - AKA "Hugo" W=2.40lb, L=17.0"

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Chilly Verde

All my talk about extreme fishing finally caught up with me.
Matt and I were scheduled to fish the Green River on Tuesday.

There was already plenty of snow as seen in this shot from the hotel window.



We had been exploring the mountains after arriving in Utah on Saturday and the weather was becoming a concern. It snowed every day and the temperature was, shall I say, low.

We drove up into the canyons and got to see some winter scenes up close and personal.


While driving up Big Cottonwood canyon, I got this shot of the BC Creek.
I may have to spend some quality time here after the snow melts.



We were up early and headed to Dutch John - a 3.5 hour drive from SLC. We saw some beautiful country in southern Wyoming and northern Utah and wildlife including pronghorn, mule deer, a golden eagle, and this herd of elk just a few miles from our launch point - the dam where the Flaming Gorge reservoir empties into the Green River.



Once again, Trout Bum 2 and our #1 guide Tom Knight did not disappoint. Tom and his dad were waiting for us at Trout Creek Flies.

The day was the coldest of my four winter trips to the Green River. It didn't snow on us but it was windy and raw. The temp was in the low 30's and it didn't warm up too much all day.

When we got out of the wind and while in the sun, it wasn't too bad but in the shade or in the wind it was brutal!

We did catch some fish - as Mr Knight would say, "The fish are here all winter. They don't go to Cabo (San Lucas) like some fishermen do."


We started the day off with some feisty rainbows like this beauty.

The phone is ringing and it is Mr. Brown on Line 2!


Here I am with a cold grin - We are smiling!


Fish on! Matt got the hang of the hookset and was quickly in the game.


Tom nicknamed Matt "Sir Sticks-a-Lot" since he was snagging his share.


Hey Mr. Hoover -
How about letting some go by so the guy in the back of the boat gets a chance!
Some of these fish were really nice and chunky.
This brown put up a great fight.


Here is Matt taking a break for lunch. Hey dude are your arms tired yet?



We fished midge larva, eggs, and freshwater shrimp patterns all morning.
Near the end of the day we went to the wooly buggers.

Hey fish - have you ever seen a minnow with a purple tail?



We had a great day even if it was cold. What could be better than spending the day on the river with an excellent guide catching some wild fish with your son?


Thanks Tom, TB2, and Matt for making this a very memorable trip.


I think I may try some warmer weather fishing next!

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Obawana Fly

The Obawana Fly has four distinct life cycles. They are easily distinguished by most experienced anglers and a few hungry fish.

The Larval Stage (AKA Worm stage)


After hatching on the bottom of the stream or pond, this robust larva makes it's way through the ooze and muck of the bottom feeding on zooplankton or microscopic organism's resembling oatmeal or Mapo. This fly is tied on a swimming larva hook with dumbbell eyes and a tail of badger guard hairs. The body is tan Ultra chenille and the false wing is a black hackle from a Boat-tailed Grackle.

The Nymph Stage (AKA The I Can Do What I Want stage)



When the water reaches 65 degrees and the south wind blows at precisely 3 knots, the larva crawl under a rock and are mysteriously converted into the nymph. This pre-adult stage is free swimming and a bit unruly but somehow manages to keep it all together as it feeds along the bank. This fly is tied on a #10 streamer hook with a woodchuck hair tail, badger dubbed body, and an ostrich herl thorax. The legs are Hungarian partridge and the shellback is a mottled turkey feather slip.

The Adult Stage (AKA The Lean & Mean stage)

This first adult stage is sleek and fast moving. Fish have to be ready for this one as it molts from nymph to adult in less than 2 seconds on the surface and immediately heads to the bushes to seek a mate. This fly is known to travel from New England to Texas, California, and Washington state. It is tied in a #4 streamer hook with a silver pheasant feather tail, tinsel body wrapped over a badger underbody. The side wings are teal feathers and the crest is silver pheasant.

The Mature Adult Stage (AKA The Old Man of the Sea stage)


After finding a mate, settling down and raising a family, the Obawana Fly reaches the final stage of the life cycle. It grows into a formidable bite for any fish and while can be a bit grizzled around the edges, it retains it's appeal for fish and fisherman alike. This fly is tied on a #2 hook with a javelin hair tail, clipped deer hair body, furnace hackle wings and a ruby colored silver pheasant crest feather.

The Obawana fly is a necessity for any fly box. Keep a few of each around and you will always be prepared for any fishing situation.

Poppers

Grasshopper: Your fly-tying skills have proved worthy!


The sunfish were hitting the bugs on Evans Lake this evening and I had some fun with the new flyrod and a hand-tied popper.

Recognize this one?


One of the side benefits of fishing at the end of the day. God's paintbrush...

Sunday, March 05, 2006

New Flies and Lures

I've been experiencing a new wave of "the fever"

After catching some bass on the Rapala the other day, I've started thinking that I need to be prepared for some other tactics besides the reliable old big green worm (BGW).

Paul gave me some new streamers and poppers he had tied. They are beauties and look like they will fish well. He also found a new soft plastic called the Original Texas Weedless Wacky Worm®. This is sure to be a "hit" with the bass in Evans lake.
He said they were flying off the shelves and were not easy to find.

I went by a favorite sporting goods store (Academy) and sure enough they were completely out. Lucky for me they did have some stick baits and top waters on sale.

I picked up some silver/black floating Rapalas and a couple of "Hula Poppers" made by Arbogast Lures.

I also bought a couple of topwater lures from Storm called The Chug Bug.

I stopped off on my way home to see what was happening with the "King" of Evans Lake and to drop off some of the soft plastics. It's always a good idea to share!

The wind was blowing about 15 mph but I thought a couple of casts wouldn't hurt as long as I was in the neighborhood.

I was surprised when the only thing that seemed interested were the panfish.

This Bluegill took the Chug Bug off the surface.



This Green Sunfish also hit the big topwater lure.


I think they were actually going for the tail of the lure which is made out of an iridescencet pearl flash material. I may need to make some poppers out of this.

I was about convinced that all the bass had packed up left the lake when I finally picked up a small resident that was willing to join the fish study.


Tag ID 07 - AKA "Tiny" was caught at 5:05PM. W=0.7lb, L=11.5"

Saturday, March 04, 2006

"I'm Too Excited to Sleep"

Why is it that getting up early to go fishing is easier than getting up to go to work? You would think that after a long week of busy days and late evenings I would have been ready for a "do nothing day". I had plenty of things that need doing - mowing grass (weeds), cleaning the garage, paying bills, etc. but when the call for reinforcements came late Friday evening, I just had to respond.

Paul Sr. and eldest son had engaged the white bass in the East Fork of the San Jacinto in battle and they had won the first skirmish. They were set for an early morning raid to beat the Saturday morning fishermen and wanted to know if I could accompany them. Well, I'll tell you the thought of getting up before dawn to go fishing is balm for the soul. There is nothing I needed more than a day of thinking about something other than work. I will be travelling again next week and will miss the funeral of a dear friend so some time to think and pray is just what I needed.

We hit the water early and by 9:00AM we had caught plenty of fish. Paul Jr. & I decided to keep only the big ones and Paul Sr. strung up all he caught that were legal. We all caught as many small ones as we did keepers and it was a great morning of fishing. This one will go in my all-time great fishing days file.

The only trouble we had was trying to keep up with Paul Sr. on the way to the fishing hole. He was high stepping like a Tennessee Walker through the brush in his fancy wader pants and Jr. & I were huffing and puffing trying to keep up. I'm not so sure I can compete unless I drop a few pounds. Keep the Starbucks away from that guy!

Paul Jr. with an early morning White.


The Mutual Admiration Society.


"Fat n Sassy" You know it when you have hold of one this size.


"Waders"


The Confidence Bait in action.


Morning tally:
Paul Sr. - 20 (16.7 lbs)
Paul Jr. -10 (9.2 lbs)
JB - 8 (8.9 lbs)

I went for size over quantity.


Strong coffee at 4:30AM - $2.50
Ultralight fishing rod $24.00
Box of White Roostertails. $10.00

Fishing for white bass with your brother and nephew - priceless!