Cold Morning But A Lot Of Action At McKinney's Towne Lake This AM

Checked out the Trout Derby in McKinney this morning. Cold temps but a lot of action for many participants. Looked like the bait of choice was Powerbait in Chartreuse and Orange with a few caught on Salmon Eggs as well as Corn!

Fished for a little while and had a few hook-ups but lost all but one which went about 10" in size. However, others were easily limiting out on "Stocker"-size Trout!

 

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!

Trout Derby At Towne Lake in McKinney

The McKinney Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department is hosting its annual Trout Fishing Derby on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon (East Pavilion at Towne Lake, 1405 Wilson Creek Parkway).

More than 4,700 Rainbow Trout are planned for release into Towne Lake for the derby. The event is open to the public, and prizes will be awarded to the first 300 kids who catch their own fish. Casting clinics are available to all attendees.

The derby is free for kids. Adults 17 and over pay a registration fee of $3 and must have a fresh water fishing license. For more details, see link.

Event gets busy but is a lot of fun for the kids!

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!

One Bluegill on a Black Midge Submitted for the OFFC!

Tied a few fishing flies last night for the "One Fishing Fly Challenge (OFFC)". This month's challenge called for Midges. Tied several Black Midges in Size 20 and 22, and then went to Bethany Lakes today to try them out.

Had several strikes and missed hook-ups but did catch one fish - a 5" Bluegill using a Size 22 Black Midge under a strike indicator. Submitted the picture, and confirmed its posted on the OFFC's Picture Board.  Good start but suspect February's challenge will be tough; big fish don't seem to care for small Midges!

PS: Looks like the Lower Pond at Bethany Lakes is being worked on, may be fishable later in the year.

 

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!

Order Arrived From The FlyShack....

Order arrived from the FlyShack this afternoon.  Ready now to tie a few fishing flies in sizes 16, 20, and 22!  Also, ordered a few size 14 Wooly Buggers, Parasol Midge Emergers (in size 20 and 22), and various flytying material.

Placed the order last Tuesday, package arrived today!  Slight delay in filling the order but did not mind given the free shipping offer.

 

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!

HubPages Article - "Midge Fishing Flies"

Posted a new HubPages article that is line with the One Fishing Fly Challenge's selected fishing fly for February - Midges!

Check it out for a quick read - "Midge Fishing Flies"!

Field Team's "One Fishing Fly Challenge"

The Field Team decided to begin documenting its informal flyfishing contest - the "One Fishing Fly Challenge", where the Team selects a fishing fly to see who catches the biggest fish.

Time periods for the Challenge have varied from one day to one month in the past. For ease of tracking, the Team decided on one month challenges.

For February, the fishing fly selected is Midges. They can be fished wet, dry, on a bubble and fly rig...  all that matters is the fish was caught using a Midge fishing fly!

Feel free to checkout the results and/or join in on the challenge.  The rules are simple, and everyone is a winner - no prizes just fun!

Link to the "One Fishing Fly Challenge"

Three Bullheads On Bread

Quick trip to Celebration Park this afternoon. Caught 3 Bullheads using Bread for bait. No Bruisers but still fun to get out before the cold front arrives tonight!

Still on standby for the flytying material from the FlyShack; Field Team continues to take its coffee break during the weather delay.  Plans are to update the Team's Squidoo Lens "Black Coffee Review" article as we take our break!

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!

Coffee Break and Flytying Material

Taking a coffee break as the next front arrives bringing rain, cold, and possibly freezing temps.  Till the weather clears, posted a new Squidoo Lens article, "Black Coffee Review".

As the Field Team are coffee drinkers who prefer to drink coffee black, the team decided to rate coffees using a simple rating scale: "Good", "It'll Do", and "Bad".  Check it out some time!

On another note, I anxiously wait for the flytying material ordered from the Fly Shack.  Soon as the order arrives, going to start working on tying Midges using the patterns detailed on the DVD bought at Scotty's One Stop in Oklahoma!

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!

Trout Were Active On The Blue River, Just Not On My Hook!

Returned to the Blue River in Oklahoma for another go at the Bruiser Trout. Fished 5 hours, saw easily 75+ Trout (likely more), and caught one Stocker on a BH Black Wooley Bugger. Trout were actively feeding on midges.... guess what fishing fly I did not have! Did use the smallest Black Gnat I had in my flybox and managed to get about 10 strikes fishing it dry. Just too slow in setting the hook!  Regardless, had a great time out there!

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!

Got One This Round - 16.5" Skinny Bass

Hooked and landed a Bass at Bethany Lakes this afternoon. After misses yesterday at Bethany Lakes and Bethany Ridge, was able to bring this one in using a BH Olive Wooley Bugger.

Warmer day... no strike indicator and a fast retrieve was the key. Bass went 16.5" in size. Will post on the COAF Fishing Leader Board as it meets the 15" minimum, even if it is "kinda skinny"!

 

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.