Decided to fish the local pond to verify if there were still fish lurking in it. In the past, the pond held some nice size Catfish. I suspect there may still be a Bruiser or two but this round I managed three good sized Bullheads.
I used the NGT Centerpin Reel and a Cabelas TLR Switch Rod for the rod/reel combo, and then I used bread formed into bread balls for bait.
The drag free capability of the Centerpin made for some interesting strikes as I watched the fish take the bait and run with it.
Overall, I am excited to add this fishing technique to my fishing arsenal! Do give it a try. No need to spend lots on the reel... if you can get the NGT before stocks run out. The reels is shipped from England and takes a few weeks to deliver, so do plan accordingly!
Happy New Year! No fishing today. Did shoot some trap today to ring in the New Year. Plus... here are two trout recipes that are both simple and tasty.
Here are two ways the Team likes to cook trout. Simple but tasty recipes that fishermen can quickly turn the day's catch into dinner! The first recipe calls for trout fillets while the second recipe uses whole trout that have been gilled and gutted!
Both recipes pan fry the trout in a skillet for 5 to 10 minutes each side on medium-high heat. However, the fillet trout recipe uses olive oil and melted butter, and the whole trout recipe uses peanut oil or similar high heat oil.
Pan Fried Garlic Butter Trout Fillets
Three Rainbow Trout - filleted
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Flour
Butter and Olive Oil
Garlic Butter Sauce of your choice
Dry fillets with paper towel, season both sides, coat with flour, and then pan fry in melted butter and olive oil. Serve with a bed of rice pilaf and cover with garlic butter sauce.
Spicy Peanut Oil Pan Fried Trout
Whole Rainbow Trout
Season Salt
Thai Chile Peppers
Dry cleaned trout with paper towel, season both sides and internal cavity liberally with season salt, and then place three whole Thai Chile Peppers inside the trout. Let sit for 1-2 hours at room temp, then pan fry in peanut oil (or other high heat oil). Serve with your favorite sides.
PS... Here is the infographic referenced in the video.
Our intent is to show you that "Average Joes" like us can catch fish with the right gear bought at a discount and combined with practical practice in the field. Anyone can learn to fish - be it fly fishing, kayak fishing, or fishing in general.
Watch us through trial and error succeed as well as fail on our fishing trips, and then see how we apply lessons learned in the field so you can try them in your area!
We primarily fly fish and kayak fish but are always ready to use other methods and gear as the fish dictate. Do browse videos we have posted, and do send questions, suggestions, and fishing tips! We often post answers using comments or will reply with a video if needed!
"1) That parking on the E side of the Catch and Release (off 7) - is that just for parking, and there is still a hike up to the high point of the C-n-R?"
The parking on the East side off Hwy 7 is just for parking. It is designated as a walk-in area only and no camping.
Refer to Blue River Map below.
It is a 2+ mile hike to the Catch and Release area from the parking area on the East side of Hwy 7. For a shorter hike - about 1.3 miles, enter at the parking area furthest West of Hwy 7.
Parking Area Furthest West from Hwy 7
"2) I think the C-n-R is barbless? Kind of silly if you ask me, but my memory banks are full!"
The Catch and Release area is barbless. See excerpt below:
"3) Are the stockings good in the C-n-R area? Still a mystery Easter egg hunt?"
Changes each Season with larger trout noted in past stockings. For this Season, have been monitoring reports that indicate sizeable trout in the area. Picture below was posted 6 days ago.
19" Rainbow Trout - Blue River C-n-R
For more details, here are videos that may be of interest for anyone wanting to fish the Blue River Catch and Release Area:
First trip to the C-n-R, taking the "long route"...
Blue River's catch and release section was stocked recently. Gave it a try, ended up doing a lot of walking and scouting the river. First time fishing the C&R section. Trout are there, next round... plan to take a shorter path and do less walking and more fishing!
Was able to fish with the OPST Commando Head on the 9' 5wt. Does cast well in tight areas... roll casting and switch casting to where the fish were lurking was easily done!
Next trip to the C-n-R, taking the "shorter route"...
Headed back to Texas from Oklahoma City, decided to make one more stop at the Blue River Catch and Release area. Caught one, lost a number of others... still had a great time! Plus: Learned the parking area furthest west is best for accessing the C&R.
Detailed video of the C-n-R with key points noted in the video timeline:
Fished the Blue River in Oklahoma last Saturday - November 7. Plan was to fish the Hughes Crossing area for trout to make another catch and cook. Struck out though. That said, made the run North of HWY 7 and fished the Catch and Release Section. After a wrong turn or two, made it to the area and had a fun time catching, losing, and landing a trout or two.
Did see an armadillo on the walk back to the parking area, and stopped by the Fly Library to add a fishing fly or two to collection. Overall, a great time on the Blue River!
PS: Longer than normal video, have key points noted in the video for reference.
Hughes Crossing: 1:06
Walking In to the C&R: 2:09
Fly Library Stop Inbound: 2:57
Fishing the C&R: 4:49
First Trout Caught: 6:52
Fishing and Missing Trout: 10:49
View of Retrieve Used: 17:20
Walking Out of the C&R: 18:29
Armadillo: 18:50
Lesson Learned - Go Left not Right: 19:54
FYI - Post Marker: 20:21
FYI - Go Right not Left: 22:37
Fly Library Stop Outbound: 21:26
How I Check My Hook is Barbless?:
Ever wonder if your hook is barbless when fishing an area that requires it? Try this fishing tip!
Answering the mail on the Centerpin Reel I used to catch a couple trout. So far, I like it... able to try this method with spending too much!
I bought the reel in Amazon but shipped from the UK. It took several weeks for it to arrive. While it was intransit, I watched a number of videos on centerpin fishing, casting, and techniques.
After it arrived, I practiced casting it using a Wallis Cast that calls for pulling the line off the reel and then casting. Similar to a double haul cast when fly fishing.
I still need to practice my cast to reduce the backlashes I get, but I am able to cast it far enough to fish local ponds.
My intent is to try float fishing it at the local tailrace - Denison Dam and possibly Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA). Both, offer a great opportunity to drift fish.
Given the reel as virtually no drag, line comes off easily and should offer a drag free drift when fishing a tailrace.
Do check back for more. And, do checkout the video short to see the reel spin effortlessly!
What is in our tackle box when ultralight baitcasting aka BFS Fishing? Here is a video short detailing what we like!
Of note are the Super Dupers in Copper, Gold, Silver, and Rainbow Trout!
Fish them low and slow when the trout are holding deep.
If active in the upper part of the water column, then fish them with a steady retrieve.
Additionally, if no takers on either retrieve, then try a "stop and go retrieve" by reeling in, and then pausing for a second or two.
Wait for a strike as Super Duper slowly sinks and flutters on the pause!
Also, Mepps Inline Spinners in Copper, Gold, and Silver hold a spot in our tackle box.
Fish them with a steady retrieve and when the trout are holding in the upper part of the water column.
Adjust the retrieve by reeling faster or slower until you get a strike. A "stop and go retrieve" may be called for on occasion.
But, typically, it is lure blade color and the trout's location in the water column that matter more.
Rooster Tails in a variety of color combinations are another lure we keep handy.
Start with the Fire Tiger, White, Yellow, and Black. And then, expand to other color combinations - blade, lure body, dressing.
Fish them like the Mepps but take the slow retrieve on step further and reel it slower! The Rooster Tail blade will spin at the slowest retrieve which will come in handy when the trout are picky.
But, do take note, when sight casting to passing trout schools, a faster retrieve may be called for when on trout breaks away and you see its V wake head toward the lure!
First time fishing with a Center Pin Reel. Had to practice and get my timing and release down. Managed to catch two Trout, improve my casting, and then closed out with ultralight baitcasting to get three more trout to make a limit.
Do check back for more Center Pin Fishing. New way to fish for yours truly. Would be a great way to fish the tailrace at Denison Dam, Lewisville Lake Ecological Learning Area, and other rivers.
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