Near Deere Goes to School This Round

Decided to fish Plano East Senior High School's catch and release ponds to get some practice fishing a Near Deere Fishing Fly under a strike indicator. Had a number of missed strikes using this rig on the Lower Mountain Fork River. So, better get some practice in (also, a good excuse to go fishing!).

Started out fishing areas that normally hold Bass but did not hook up. Then, had a Catfish take the fishing fly, followed by a Sunfish, and then another Catfish. Kept at it for a little longer, and hooked into a third Catfish that put up a really nice fight on the Five-Weight Fly Rod.

Fun stuff!



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Damsel Flies This Round

Brought the Switch Rod and fished Plano East Senior High School's catch and release ponds. Slow action this time but did manage to hook up with four fish.  First one was a little Bluegill that went for a Purple COAF Damsel Fly.  Second one was a Sunfish that also went for the Damsel Fly. Next, was a Catfish that went for a Tube Damsel Fly in purple marabou.  Last one was a Bass that took the Purple COAF Damsel Fly as well.  Took a quick measure of the Bass; went just under 15"!  Fun stuff!

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Tube Popper Fly Goes to School!

Posted information about the Tube Popper Fly and the Mini Balsa Wood Lathe in the Fly Tying Forum.  A member posted pictures of Tube Popper Flies used for saltwater fishing which led to the idea of making a freshwater version of one!

Here is a picture of a prototype freshwater version; it's made with Marabou and a Balsa Wood Head that has been colored with a Sharpie.  No eyes and a quick coat of nail polish instead of epoxy.  Was in a rush to test it out....

So, tested it out at Plano East Senior High School's Catch and Release Ponds, and caught a Bass before losing the popper to a nice Bass that broke the line.  Oh well, put another Tube Popper Fly on the line (not like the prototype) and was able to catch Catfish!

Going to make more of the prototype freshwater version Tube Popper Fly.  Easy to shape and easy to make, and it catches fish!  Cannot beat that...!

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More Fishing Today!

Checked out the Feeder Creek that runs into Shadow Lakes this morning.  Saw Bass on beds; tough fishing with fly fishing gear as the brush and tree limbs tend to snag the fly line.

Did get one Bass to take a COAF Damsel Fly that was crawled slowly across its bed.  But, ended up losing it when it ran for a brush pile and broke off.

Later in the afternoon, fished the pond behind In-N-Out Burger and struck out!

Moved on to the Catch and Release Ponds at Plano East Senior High School.  After an hour without a strike using various fishing flies, went to the Size 12 COAF Damsel Fly after noticing small fry hugging close to the banks.

Worked the undercut banks and was able to hook and land three Bass.  Fun stuff...!

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Headed to Plano East Senior High School's pond this morning.  Fished the Purple Wooley Rooster Martin inline spinner. 

Caught five Bass at the High School, then stopped by Bethany Lakes and caught three more Bass!

Fun stuff... most were caught near the bank; all were caught using Ultralight Gear on 4lbs test.  Largest went 15.5" in size!

Glad to have got a round in before the rain arrived; now we will have to play it by ear as the next cold front arrives.  Anticipate the pattern will changes again!

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Five Bass and a Little Bluegill at Plano East This Thanksgiving Morning!

Decided to fish Plano East Senior High School's pond this morning.  Went with the Rip and Rap Rapala crankbait and caught five Bass and a little Bluegill.  Largest went ~15"-16" in size. Fun stuff for a Thanksgiving morning!

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Crankbait at Plano East Senior High School

Cold front arrived and drop the temps to the 30's.  Decided to try a crankbait at Plano East Senior High School's Catch and Release Pond!  Missed the first strike - a Bass, then caught four Bass.  Fun stuff on a cold morning!

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Dusted Off the Tenkara Rod

Went to Plano East Senior High School's pond yesterday and caught a number of fish using fly fishing gear.  Went back today with the Tenkara Rod.  Had a lot of fun catching them despite the windy conditions!


Been awhile since we used the Tenkara Rod.  Had a Reader ask about it.  Sounded like a good idea, especially when the fish were lurking so close to the bank.  Most fish were caught within 5' of the bank.

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Back To School Again!

Windy day, decided to fish Plano East Senior High School's ponds.  Like that the buildings can block the wind for flyfishing.  Used a BH Antron Streamer and a BH Wooley Bugger.  Caught a Bass and a number of Sunfish/Bluegill.  A lot of fun on a Three Weight!

Wooley Rooster Martin Gets a Mixed Bag This Morning!

Returned to Plano East Senior High School this morning in hopes of hooking up with at least one Bruiser that we lost yesterday.  Caught one Bruiser Bass that went 16.5". Then, caught a mix of Sunfish, Bluegill, and a little Catfish, and then hooked a Bruiser Catfish that went 17"! Caught one more little Bass before deciding to try another location.


Tried the feeder creek at Harrington Park in Plano and caught Sunfish, Bluegill, and Longear.  Did sight cast to several Carp lurking in the area but  none wanted the spinner.


Went on to Shawnee Park in Plano and struck out!  Tough place to fish with the "Buffer Zone" hampering access from the bank.


Finally closed out the morning outing with a stop at the feeder creek to Shadow Lakes in Allen. Caught a Bluegill and then had several missed strikes from more Bluegill.

PS:  Quick trip to Bethany this evening gets two more fish - a little Bass and a Bluegill.

Wooley Rooster Martin Worked Well Enough

Wooley Rooster Martin worked well enough.  Was a slow go at Stoney Hollow in Plano with only three missed strikes.  Could not get a good hook set to land them.  Moved down the road for a chance at the Catch and Release Pond at Plano East Senior High.  Caught a few Panfish, little Bass, and even a little Catfish.  Did lose three Bruiser Bass though.  Good to see the Pond is doing well!