Break in the Weather Allows Testing a "Concept Tenkara Rod"!

Been itching to try out Tenkara Fishing - a Japanese fishing technique that uses a Rod, Level Line, a Tippet, and a Fishing Fly.... and No Fly Reel!

Did a web search of "Tenkara" and found articles, videos, blogs, and a website that sells Tenkara Rods! Liked the thought of minimizing gear to catch fish.... But, was taken back by the cost of a Tenkara Rod!  So, before purchasing a Rod decided to check the Rod Bin and see if a "concept rod" could be used as a substitute.

Good thing.... way back when while overseas, had purchased a 17' telescoping rod in Japan. Bought it on a whim and used it on and off over the years. Using three of the five sections of the rod, came up with a useable 9' "Concept Tenkara Rod"!

After putting the rig together, have been wanting to try it out but have been unable given the weather.   Today though... had a break in weather and made a quick trip to Bethany Lakes to try out the Rod!

Was a tough go with all the ice and snow. But, did manage to land a little Bluegill on a BH Nymph!  Despite the cold weather and slow action, really like this technique. Very easy to walk a bank and cast to "key" areas within 20' of the shoreline.   Moreover, it takes a minimalist approach to fishing and at the same time it is still fly fishing!



Bluegill on a "Concept Tenkara Rod"!



"Concept Tenkara Rod"



Denison Dam Has Been Generating Power For Awhile.... Cold Weax Increasing Demand!

Checked out the Denison Dam Real Time Release schedule.  Looks like the cold weather has put a significant demand on power.  The Power Plant has been generating what looks like 24 hours +.  For more info and the link to the schedule, checkout our archived post from several years back - FYI - Real Time Release For Denison Dam.

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!

Two Trout Derbies Postponed.... Moved to 12 February!

The two Trout Derbies planned for Saturday, 5 February in Collin County have been postponed to 12 February due to cold weather!!!!  Should be a lot of fun for the kids and hopefully warmer... for more details checkout the links below:

• McKinney Annual Trout Derby at Towne Lake
• Frisco "Trick a Trout" Derby at the Commons

Good luck and good fishing!
COAF Field Team

Celebration Park - Bullheads and Catfish On Bread....

Decided to checkout the Catfish at Celebration Park's East Pond.  Caught a few Bullheads and one Catfish that went about 16".  Not a bad outing on a nice day!

The angle of the Catfish picture makes it look smaller than 16". Bear with us as we work on better photos....  Regardless, still fun to catch them on Bread and light tackle!

Celebration Park - Bullheads and Catfish On Bread....

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!

Limited Out At Prosper... Used a BH Leech and a "Powerbait Hook" Trailer!

Decided to fish Whitley Place Park using flyfishing gear this morning....  Had a few strikes yesterday but could not hook up with the Trout.  Used a BH Olive Wooley Bugger and Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph yesterday.

Today, went with a BH Leech that we picked up from Scotty's One Stop Shop on a trip to the Blue River last year.  And then, replaced the Nymph trailer with a Size 14 Wet Fly Hook modified by adding a part of a ballpoint pen spring!

Had tried other ways to cast Powerbait using a flyfishing gear with limited success.  Today, the design -  calling it the "Powerbait Hook", allowed for normal flycasting without losing the bait!

Going to keep this one in our backpocket when all else is not working....

Limited Out At Prosper... Used a BH Leech and a "Powerbait Hook" Trailer!

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!

Whitley Place Park Still Producing Limits!

Fished Whitley Place Park in Prosper this morning.  Really nice day with comfortable temps.... Made even better by the limit of Trout caught.  Used Orange Powerbait to take them.  Did try a few fishing flies; some light strikes but no solid hook-ups.  Others were limiting out; looked like Powerbait and Corn continued to be consistent producers!

FYI:  Been getting a number of request from Readers on where the pond is located.  Checkout out yesterday's post; it provides directions to the Pond from the city of Allen.

Whitley Place Park Still Producing Limits!

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!

Directions to Whitley Place Park...

Here are directions to Whitley Place Park in Prosper for Readers interested in fishing for Rainbow Trout.  May be a chance to get a little practice in before the Trout Derbies scheduled next weekend in Frisco and McKinney! 

The pond was stocked last weekend, the city of Prosper held a Trout Derby, and fishing pressure has been heavy.... So, the action may be hit or miss.

• From the city of Allen, go North on Custer Road.
• Continue on Custer Road crossing the 121 Tollway, pass through McKinney, and cross 380.
• Continue on Custer Road and enter Prosper, pass a cemetery on the left, and then  turn left on to Wilson Creel Trail.
• Continue on Wilson Creek Trail, drive through a subdivision, and then make a left on to Whitley Place Drive.
• Cross a bridge in the subdivision and then make a right on to Glacier Point Court.

The pond with the pavillion and bridge is the one stocked with Trout.
 
Good luck and good fishing!
COAF Field Team

COAF Field Team's "Places To Fish"

For our Readers' reference, here is a Google Map on places the Team has fished over the years. The placeholders are maintained on an occasional basis, so things may have changed since wwe last posted. That said, it does show there are lots of places to fish iin the area....






View COAF Field Team's "Places To Fish"! in a larger map

Two Trout Derbies Planned for Saturday, 5 February!

While surfing online noticed that two Trout Derbies are planned for Saturday, 5 February in Collin County.  One is in Frisco and the other is in McKinney!  Should be a lot of fun for the kids... for more details checkout the links below:

• McKinney Annual Trout Derby at Towne Lake
• Frisco "Trick a Trout" Derby at the Commons

Good luck and good fishing!
COAF Field Team

What To Do With a Limit of Trout....

What to do with a limit of Trout?  Season with Salt, Pepper, and Seasoned Salt, then fry them in an iron skillet.  Ran out of propane though.  No worries, fired up the "campfire grill" and got a hot fire going in no time!

What To Do With a Limit of Trout....

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!