Fun time in Denison today. Nuclaroche and I fished Waterloo Park Pond. After a lot of missed hook sets to rising trout feeding on little, black bugs, we figured out the pattern - a COAF Griffith's Gnat in Size 16!
The Trout started out taking dry flies on a dead drift but as the wind picked up and the insects started "skittering" on the surface more, the Trout were wanting more movement on the dry fly.
Fun day, especially being able to catch them on dry flies. Also, had lots of fun casting and catching fish using the COAF Micro Fly Rod!
Late start Saturday for Nuclaroche and I. We planned to fish Frisco Commons for Rainbow Trout that morning but I was sidetracked by work and then some early "Spring" cleaning of the office. By the time all was done, it was late afternoon.
Around 4PM, we made it to Frisco and fished till after sunset. Nuclaroche hooked up with one Rainbow Trout using PowerBait. I stuck with different dry flies trying to hook the Trout that were rising on the surface, and then eventually switched to the Micro Fly Rod.
A quick check to match the hatch did not help either. I had caught one of the bugs flying around, and then tried several fishing flies that looked like it. No luck!
Still had fun catching little Bluegill on the Micro Fly Rod!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
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!
