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.

Blue Fox Spinner Worked Slowly Gets a Few Bites

Fished Shadow Lakes Feeder Creek briefly while on the way to Bethany.  Caught one "Longear"? and then moved on to Bethany.  Colder temps has things slowed down a little.  But, they are biting with two Bass hooked and landed at Bethany.  Used a Blue Fox Spinner fished on a slow to medium retrieve to keep the blade spinning.

Click-on 2011'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!

Shadow Lakes' Feeder Creek Holding Fishys!

Fished one of the feeder creeks in the area.  Been a while since we fished them due to the drought.  However, with the recent rains, it looks like some creeks are holding enough water to support fish!  In this case, caught a Bass in a culvert pool, lost others, then began working the creek for Panfish.  Did get a few strikes on Bass but failed to land them - save for the one in the picture below.  Still fun catching Panfish on the fly; used the Burnt Orange Crawdad and a Pearl/Olive Crappie Jig Variant.

Click-on 2011'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!

Shadow Lakes and Bethany Lakes Today.

Another trip to Shadow Lakes for another go at the Bass. Tough go but managed to catch two Bass and three Sunfish.

Went on to Bethany Lakes for more Bass action. Caught one on the Deer Hair Bug, then lost it. Switched to the Yellow Grasshopper Variant and caught one more Bass!





Click-on 2011'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!

Out and About, Checked Out the Feeder Creek to Shahow Lakes and then Bethany Lakes....

Checked out the feeder creek to Shadow Lakes.... Fished a BH Olive Wooley Bugger using the Tenkara Rod. Was a tough go with some skittish Bass in the shallows. Did manage to catch a Bluegill. Starting to see them nesting, Bluegill action should really pick up latter part of March and into April! Fun stuff catching them on Dry Flies, Poppers, and other surface lures.

Switched the Tenkara Rod for the Fly Rod and went to Bethany Lakes for a go at the Bass. Bass were in the shallows hovering near their spawning beds.... No strikes on the Wooley Bugger, one Bass on a Yellow Grasshopper, and the rest were caught using an Olive Deer Hair Bug. Steady action with more misses than landed. Hated losing the Deer Hair Bug; need to tie more than one next time.

No pictures this trip; instead, took some short video clips and pasted them into one YouTube video. It won't win any Oscars....




Click-on 2011'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!

One Bluegill On A Cold, Rainy Afternoon.... At Shadow Lakes

Decided to brave the cold and rain to wet a line.... Stopped by Shadow Lakes to fish the ponds using the BH Olive Wooley Bugger and Nymph Trailer.  Ended up tangling and losing the rig to a Tree Fish.  Tied on a Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph and drifted it near one of the "waterfalls" where water flows from one pond to another.  Had some light strikes which turned out to be Bluegill.  Landed one that went about 6" in size! 

One Bluegill On A Cold, Rainy Afternoon.... At Shadow Lakes

Click-on 2011'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!

FYI: "Community Lakes Route"

Received a series of pictures from one Field Team Member that shows ponds that he passed while on his running route this morning.  He calls it the Community Lakes Route.  Of interest are the number of ponds along the route. Counted at least 12 ponds, some are sub-division ponds that limit access, others are familiar ponds like Bethany Lakes, and a few are not as well known like Shadow Lakes and several "no name" ponds.

Was wondering why Celebration Park or Auburn Springs were not shown.  He mentioned that the route did not take him there, and it would have made his 8 mile run a 10 or 12 mile run. Don't believe he was ready to go that distance for a few more pictures.

Anyhow, the pictures were sent via email to our partner Facebook Page - "COAF Field Team's" Fishing Log.  Should be posted on the site by now; check it out when you get a chance!

Good luck and good fishing!

The Field Team

Slow Action At Shadow Lakes, One Bluegill That Went 8.5"!

Fished Shadow Lakes this afternoon in Allen. Slow action but did catch an 8.5" Bluegill using the Crappie Jig Variant. Posting it on the COAF Leader Board and the One Fishing Fly Challenge!

Click-on 2010'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!

Bass in the Shadows at Bethany this Morning.

Fished Bethany Lakes this Sunday morning. Caught three Bass on an Olive Wooley Bugger. Tried the Olive Damsel Fly, a Black Wooley Bugger, and a Grasshopper Imitation. Bass were not interested. Overall Bass seemed content to lurk in the shadows instead of strike a lure. Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Shadow Lakes @ McDermott - May 5, 2008

Fished one of the feeder creek ponds at Shadow Lakes. Pond is just south of McDermott Road on the east side of Allen. Caught one 8.5" Sunfish and lost a few others. Too slow in setting the hook, else they were catchable. Used flyfishing gear and a Red/White Streamer. Video posted below. Checkout DFW Fishing News for more fishing information. Click-on DFW Fishing News.

Bethany Creek Pond - April 28, 2008

Fished Bethany Creek Pond - a neighborhood pond just east of Bethany Lakes along Shadow Lakes Road in Allen. Caught a number of Sunfish and Bluegill ranging from 4" to 7.5" in size. Used flyfishing gear and a Prince Nymph just below the surface and a Gangle-Legged Dryfly on the surface. Caught and released over 20 fish. Video posted below. Checkout DFW Fishing News for more fishing information. Click-on DFW Fishing News.

Shadow Lakes (AM) / Celebration Park (PM)

Fished one of the feeder creek ponds at Shadow Lakes Saturday morning. Caught several Bluegill, a small fingerling Bass, and then a nice Bluegill that went about 8.5"+ in size. Caught them flyfishing using variations of the Teeny Nymph. Went out later in the evening to Celebration Park. Caught small Bluegill and a small fingerling Catfish, and then a 20"+ Catfish. Gave a good fight and released all that were caught. Chummed with White Bread and then followed with baited hook with no sinker. Posted videos of both outings below and in the Video Player above. Check it out some time. Good luck and good fishing! Shadow Lakes Celebration Park Checkout DFW Fishing News for more fishing information. Click-on DFW Fishing News.

April 2008 eNewsletter

FYI: The April 2008 eNewsletter has been posted. Refer to the Recommended Links in the sidebar or click-on April 2008 eNewsletter. For easier reading, the ads posted on the right frame of the eNewsletter can be closed by clicking on the Tab in the ads section. Also, checked out Allen Station Dam this evening. No fish activity in the lower creek, silting basin, and upper creek. Suggest fishing Bethany Lakes and Shadow Lakes for Bass. Suggest fishing Bethany Lakes, Celebration Park, and Bethany Ridge Park for Bluegill and Sunfish. For Bass, a Blacknosed Dace Streamer and Clouser Minnows in blue and white have been consistent artificials. For Bluegill/Sunfish, Foam Rubber Spiders or a Brown Dry Fly have been taking them on the surface. Below the surface, a Royal Coachman Wet Fly and a Mallard Flank Jig Fly, a new pattern we have been testing, have been successful. Good luck and good fishing!

Shadow Lakes - March 31, 2008

Fished the South Pond at Shadow Lakes. Found a protected area from the wind and was able to catch 2 Bass flyfishing using a Blacknosed Dace. Fish were caught near the Cattails and in shallow water.

Had several more strikes but failed to set the hook in time. Switched to a Black Marabou Streamer and had more strikes but no hook ups.

Ran to Bethany Lakes to try the Black Marabou Streamer on Bass. No luck on Bass but did manage to land a small Sunfish on the Marabou Streamer.

Checkout DFW Fishing News for more fishing information. Refer to the Recommended Links in the sidebar or click-on DFW Fishing News for a preview.

Shadow Lakes - February 3, 2008

Went back to the "No Name Pond" this morning. Found out it is called Shadow Lakes. It is fed by the creek that runs below North Allen Heights and Dartmouth. As the creek leads downstream, you will see a series of ponds that eventually lead back to North Allen Heights.

Fished the last pond with flyfishing gear and a Brown Wooly Bugger. For reference, I am calling this pond the Lower Pond. Caught a 7" Bluegill and lost another. Fished the Wooly Bugger on a steady retrieve.



7" Bluegill



Dam at the South Pond and back area of Lower Pond



View of Lower Pond looking South



Dam at the Lower Pond