Bratonia Park For Shad

Stopped by Bratonia Park on Lake Lavon yesterday to catch a few Shad.  Making preparations for another run up to Denison Dam's Tailrace.  Really like using Shad for bait when the water flow permits.

 

Took the jon boat and drifted around the buoy by the boat ramp, then worked the shoreline.  Normally, we are able to catch enough bait for a trip in about 30" with our cast nets.  This time, caught 5 Shad only.

 

Not sure where they are lurking; may hit another place later today.  Else, will buy Shad at Academy or Dave's Bait and Tackle.  It will work in a pinch but really like the ones we catch as they are usually bigger and are definitely fresher!

 

Till then... Good Luck and Good Fishing!

 

COAF Field Team

Fishing Report by Dean!

The COAF Field Team appreciates fishing reports from our Readers.  Here is a recent one submitted by Dean about Bethany Lakes and Kroger Park (Bethany Rdige Park).  Great report and some nice pictures!

I arrived at 5:30 am on June 8th. It was a beautiful morning and I found the park to be as inspiring as the sun that slowly illuminated it. I was pleased to find "catch and release" signs posted around the area. Its a shame that so many people disregard the fragile nature of community lakes and ponds. I found myself wishing that other parks would implement the same regulations.

Top water baits seemed to rule the morning. I caught a number of bass at the Kroger pond on a variety of surface lures. The bass in the upper ponds responded to surface lures as well, although not as frequently. After a few hours, when the fishing slowed down, I switched over to texas rigged berkley

Attached is a photograph of the two biggest fish of the day. They were caught in the horseshoe pond (Bethany Lakes) and the Kroger pond (Bethany Ridge Park). I didn't have any measuring devices with me, but as you can see from the pictures, they were definitely heavy.

It was a really great little morning session. I can't say enough about the park. It was absolutely beautiful, and the fishing was wonderful.

-Dean

 

A Sunfish and a Little Bass at Bethany Lakes, today.

Caught a Sunfish and a litte Bass at Bethany Lakes today on a Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger.  Caught more fish - Sunfish, on a White Grasshopper.  No Bruisers but had a late start this evening.

Little Bass On a Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger

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!

Two Bass On A Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger At Auburn Springs

Fished the South Pond at Auburn Springs using the Purple-Chenille Wooley Burger.  Caught two Bass.  No Bruisers with larger of the two going 11" in size.  Tough fishing when the wind kicked up.  Regardless, had fun catching them.

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!

Stoney Hollow Park and a White Grasshopper, Gets 4 Bluegill and 5 Bass

Headed down the road to Plano's Stoney Hollow Park to tempt a few Bass with a Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger.  Had a few strikes but spent more time unfouling the fishing fly.  Vegetation has grown since the last time we were here, making for tough fishing.

Switched to a White Grasshopper and managed to keep it from fouling.  Caught four Bluegill and five Bass.  Largest was a skinny Bass that went 14", others were just over/under 12" in size.

Good thing we were able to fall back on the Grasshopper; hope to continue to field test the Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger in more open water later in the week.

Stoney Hollow Park in Plano.

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!

Hot Temps At Denison Dam Today!

Fished the Denison Dam Tailrace today.  Enjoyed good waterflow with the plant still generating when we left @ 6PM.  Had Stripers striking on Cork and Jig Rigs but no Bruisers.   Switched to Shad fo bait and had several good hits but was unable to land them successfully.  Did come away with a 19" Gaspergou caught by Nuclaroche!

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!

Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger... And Bass.

Been testing out another pattern to stay in the running with the June's One Fishing Fly Challenge.  This month's challenge is any fishing fly with the color purple in the pattern.

Tried an unweighted Purple Wooley Bugger and caught a 14" Bass earlier this week.  Next, tried an unweighted Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger; caught a few Sunfish and had a strike from a decent Bass but did not land him.

Today, tried a weighted Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger and caught a 12" Bass and had a possible Bruiser strike the fishing fly... but no hookset.  Will make adjustments and see if the pattern becomes a producer like the Grasshopper last month.

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!

Bethany Creek and Bethany Lakes

Fished Bethany Creek this afternoon.  Caught a Sunfish on a Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger.  Then, had a nice Bass strike but missed the hookset, then had several more Sunfish strike but also missed the hookset.  Managed the lose the fly to a snag.

Went down the street to Bethany Lakes, tied on a White Grasshopper, and caught two little Bass.  No Bruisers this round.  Better luck next time.

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!

Various Reports From the Field

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening.  Lost a decent Bass using the Purple Wooley Bugger.  Then, lost the fishing fly to a Tree Fish.  Switched to a White Grasshopper and caught a little Bass.

Received a report from Field Team Member NucLaroche.  Managed two Bass and two Sunfish on a Purple Grasshopper.  Good to know Grasshoppers are working.

Also, received a COAF Fishing Leader Board entry for a 19" Bass caught at Bethany Ridge Park (Kroger Park).  Posted the picture on the Board; nice to know there are Bruisers lurking in the area!

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!

Two Bass On a Purple Wooley Bugger At Bethany Lakes

Caught two Bass at Bethany Lakes this evening, using a Purple Wooley Bugger.  Largest of the two Bass went 14" in size, submitted a picture to June's One Fishing Fly Challenge.  Great start for the first day of the month!

Two Bass On a Purple Wooley Bugger At Bethany Lakes

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!