Weekend Is Here...! (Feb 13, 2015)

It has been a long work week but Friday is here at last. The weekend is looking good for fishing; however, we must do our duty and pledge our everlasting love to our significant others as tomorrow is Valentine's Day.

That said, the Trout Derby on the Blue River in Oklahoma has us itching for a run across the border. Unfortunately, we are unable to make it this weekend.

We do plan to wet a line, most likely at Frisco Commons Pond which was stocked last weekend with Rainbow Trout.

While preparing the fly box, I noticed the Soft Hackles purchased at Beavers Bend Fly Shop last year were looking beat. Guess a fishing fly can only take so much abuse from feisty trout and scrappy bluegill!

I decided to tie a few Soft Hackles. After a few "do overs",  I was able to turn out a few that looked "fishable";  hope to try them this weekend.

PS: Really glad for the YouTube video - Partridge and Orange Soft Hackle!

Another Round with the Micro Fly Rod (Feb 8, 2015)

After limiting out on Trout, decided to have another go with the Micro Fly Rod. Changed the fly line by using less backing line and more fly line. No knot to hang up on the rod guides, so I was able to get more distance on the cast.

Caught two little Bluegill and one Bass on a Soft Hackle at Frisco Commons Pond. Then, took a break to get hydrated again. Sun came out in force today; even think the temps hit above 70 degrees. Much different than last years freezing conditions at this time.

Later in the afternoon, fished the Feeder Creek at Bethany Lakes, Soft hackle had a few strikes but no hook ups. Switched to a Red Midge in Size 22 and hooked several soon after. Then, noticed  fish feeding on something on the surface. So, switched to a Size 22 BWO and ended up catching several more.

So far, have been pleasantly surprised with the casting capability of the little rod. The cast is different compared to standard size fly rods; the back cast straightens quickly, so the forward cast is started much sooner than I am used to.

No worries... got the hang of it and was able to get a few "long" casts in to where the fish were lurking. Fun stuff!

Two On a Fly, Then Three on PowerBait This Round... (Feb 8, 2015)

Fished Frisco Commons Pond today. Limited out but had a tough time catching them on fishing flies. Used the same rig as yesterday - Tandem Rig Near Deere and GRHEN.

Managed to catch two that went for the GRHEN. Had a few more missed strikes, else no luck getting another one with the Fly Rod. Switched to a Spinning Rod and PowerBait. Caught three Trout in short order. 

Since the day was so nice and calm conditions, decided to try some Micro Fishing as well. Was hoping to catch a Trout using the Micro Fly Rod but the Trout were not going for fishing flies.

Luckily a couple of Bluegill and a little Bass were... will post a video of the Micro Fishing action at Frisco Commons and the Feeder Creek at Bethany in another Blog post. 

Below is the video of the Trout action today.

Tested Micro Fly Rod II, Then Went Trout Fishing (Feb 8, 2015)

Long week but was finally able to go fishing Saturday. Started out "testing" Micro Fly Rod II by doing some Micro Fishing at the Davis Library Pond.

Rod worked well! I was able to catch little Bass and Bluegill as well as several larger Bluegill. I do plan to make adjustments to the fly line by using less backing and more fly line. The knot I tend to hang up as it passed through the rod guides. With the adjustment, should be able to see if the little rod can take on some of the Stocker Trout in the area!

Afterwards, headed up the road to fish Frisco Commons Pond. The city hosted its Annual Trick-A-Trout Derby that morning, so Trout were freshly stocked in the pond! Windy day, so no chance to try the Micro Fly Rod without the fly line modification. But, was able to limit out with five Trout.

Trout went for an Olive and White Near Deere, and then a BH GRHEN fished on a Tandem Rig in conjunction with the Near Deere.

50+ Year Old Rapala Floating Minnow Still Catches Bass!

Fifty plus years old Rapala Floating Minnow  still can catch a Bass or two! Round Two of the Vintage Fishing Lure series gets more Bass. Not as big as the Cisco Kid Diver and the 7+ lbs Bass but the Rapala Minnow still rocks in the 21st Century!

Quick trip to Lake Glenn gets several Bass on the vintage Rapala lure I picked up at an antique store in Denison, Texas. Working it on a jerky retrieve, the Bass were readily striking.

I did notice the Bass were tending to the North and East sides of the Lake. I suspect it was due to the clobbered areas along the South and West sides. Lots of hydrilla like greenery has much of the area fouled.

No worries though... Bass were scrappy with one going about 15 inches in length!

$2 Vintage Lure Catches a Big Bass! #fishing #bass #vintage

Round One of the Vintage Lures Series kicks of the series with an estimated 7+ lbs Bass measuring 23 inches in length. Fishing a Bait Finesse Systems combo and a $2 vintage lure - Cisco Kid Diver, we picked up antiquing in Oklahoma. Great start to the series!

Gear Used:

• Shimano Reel 17 Scorpion BFS XG Right https://amzn.to/3K6KwFV
• BPS Micro Lite Rod: https://bassproshops.vzck.net/RyLezv
• Cisco Kid Diver 1300

Starting the Vintage Fishing Series!

Starting two new series based on the antiquing finds from this weekend! To kickoff things off, here is a brief summary. Do check back for the Vintage Lures and Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod series! #fishing #flyfishing #antiquing

Ultralight Baitcasting Anyone?

 How about a quick trip to Lake Glenn for ultralight baitcasting with the Kastking Zephyr BFS reel. Started with an inline spinner but turned out the Rapala Husky Jerk was what Bass wanted! 

Fly Fishing Tips from the Little Red Book of Fly Fishing | Podcast 43, Episode 24

Episode 24 in the "Little Red Book of Fly Fishing" podcast series where I review fly fishing tips....

This round it's tips 110 through 113!

• Tip 110: You Got to Pick a Pocket (or Two)
• Tip 111: Rock On
• Tip 112: Pillow Talk
• Tip 113: Rob the Banks

Do check back on our next episode in the series where we discuss tips 114 - 117 .

• Tip 114: Rosenbauer's Rules
• Tip 115: Be the Tree
• Tip 116: Nervous Water
• Tip 117: Your Fly Rod Cannot See

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Video premiere tonight - August 31, 2022

Bull Redfish, Sharks, and a Black Drum | Galveston Fishing Pier 2022 Lessons Learned

The Team's annual fishing trip the Texas Coast is in the books. We fished the Galveston Fishing Pier for four days and came away with several Personal Bests with a 41 inch Redfish, a 38 inch Redfish, a 33 inch Black Drum, and a 54 inch Black Tip Shark! Do check out the video as I summarize the Team's fishing fun and point out several lessons learned to keep at the ready next trip!

#fishing #galveston #pier