Struck Out Twice at Bethany Lakes and Bethany Ridge.

Struck out at Bethany Lakes this morning.  Struck out at Bethany Ridge yesterday evening.  Had three hook-ups on Bass but lost them soon after at Bethany Lakes.  Had zero strikes at Bethany Ridge.

Did see another fisherman catch a few Bass casting lures at Bethany Ridge.  So, the fish are there, just need to find the right presentation and/or lure!

FYI:  Post another Squidoo Lens article, "Trout Fishing Blogs".  Check it out when you get chance!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Top Fishing Flies of Interst and TPWD's LMB Weight "Estimator"

Posted a Squidoo Len's article that the Field Team put together - "Fishing Flies Of Interest".  Check it out, seems like these fishing flies have been consistent producers.

Also, question came up about how we estimate the weight of Largemouth Bass.  We use an "estimator" published by TPWD.  Will add links to the sidebar for future reference for our Readers!

For those that are interested in estimating weight using the "estimator", here are pictures with measurements of Bass caught at Bethany Lakes' Lower Pond before it was drained.

Click-on "estimator" to go to TPWD's website!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Tested The Weighted Olive Wooley Bugger Variant - 2 Sunfish and a Little Bass!

Returned to Bethany Lakes to test out the Weighted Olive Wooley Bugger Variant, fishing fly created using material on-hand to replace the BH Olive Wooley Bugger that was lost to a "Tree Fish" yesterday.

Hit the Main Pond and on the second cast hooked and then lost a Bass. Looked like the same 2-Pounder that we lost yesterday or its brother.

Fished the Back Pond and noted surface activity.  Had a few light strikes but no hook-ups. Suspect they were Bluegill/Sunfish. Makes sense given the weather was warm enough that it felt like Spring.

Finally, hit the Feeder Creek and managed to bring in 2 Sunfish and a little Bass. Looks like the fishing fly works. Only issue (or not) is that it sinks much slower than the BH Olive Wooley Bugger we were using.

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Weighted Olive Wooley Bugger Variant

Having lost my last BH Olive Wooley Bugger to a "Tree Fish", decided to tie one using material on-hand. Ran out of Bead Heads, so opted to use lead-free wire to weight the fishing fly. No Olive Dacron, so went with Black Dacron. Did have Olive Chennile, Marabou, and Hackles, added Pearl Flashabou for the extra "teaser".

Not sure how this one will do compared to the BH Olive Wooley Bugger. May be a winner like the Foam Rubber Spider Variant that worked well in the Spring and Summer two years ago. Will post results; hopefully soon!

 

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

1 Crappie Caught and 1 Bass Lost

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening. Caught a Crappie that went about 13" in size and lost a Bass that may have gone 2 lbs. All were caught in the Main Pond using a BH Oliver Wooley Bugger! Will post the picture with measurement as a "Fish Of Interest" on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board.

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Fun On The Blue River; Caught Three Trout!

Fished the Blue River in Oklahoma for a chance at the Bruiser Trout stocked this past week! Was able to land three Stocker Trout (9"-10" in size), missed a bunch more, and watched a few others land some Bruisers. Great day, great weather, great River!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

On The Road Today, Checked Out College Station's Central Park

While on the road today, made a stop in College Station and checked out the Trout action at Central Park. Was not able to fish but did take a picture of one fisherman's Trout in a cooler that went just over 12". Action looked promising with surface activity noted!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

One Bass On A Slowwwww Retrieve....

Managed to make a quick trip to Bethany Lakes this evening. Hoped today's warmer temps would get the Bass in the Main Pond feeding. Not for certain but it did not seem so.  Action was slow but did manage to catch one Bass fishing an Olive Wooley Bugger. Used a very slowwwww retrieve....

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Bethany Lakes A Bust This Evening!

Stopped by Bethany Lakes after work this evening.  No luck flyfishing a Crappie Jig Variant or an Olive Wooley Bugger.  Stopped by the "horseshoe" pond and noted zero surface activity; looks like the season may be over for Trout at Bethany.

Luckily, there are Trout Stockings planned for McKinney and Prosper.  Also, Waterloo in Denison continues to see action!  That said, really itching to hit the Blue River in Oklahoma.  Have an Oklahoma Fishing License and Trout Stamp, just need to make the run up there.

Till then, been enjoying updates and fishing reports on the Blue River from another avid fisherman/blogger.  Check it out some time - Drifting The Prairie Ocean!


Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Trout Limits at Waterloo; Field Team's First Limit for 2010!

Ran up to Denison Dam to scout out the Striped Bass action this afternoon. Fished without success for about 2 hours, then called it quits. Shifted gears from Striped Bass to Trout and fished Waterloo Park Pond. Limited out in about 30" using Orange Powerbait. Pond was frozen save for the area near the fountain. Regardless, the Trout were active and hungry. Not a bad outing with the first Trout Limit taken by the Field Team in 2010!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Season 'Bout Over...

Although a few weeks remain for this Duck Season, going to end it early for this Hunter.  That said, was not able to hunt Lake Lavon as we planned.



Unseen forces - work and personal committments, pulled us away.  Regardless, we feel others had an outstanding season!



Wishing our Readers all the best and will look to another good year in 2010!

Cold Weather Delay!

Cold weather delay in fishing reports.  Much too cold and getting colder this week for this fisherman.  Will startup again at the next opportunity!

Till then, going to catch up on some reading material.

Calm Before the Storm....

Decided to wet a line at Bethany this evening after work.  Cold with the expectation of even colder temps tomorrow.  Struck out with zero hits on flyfishing gear.  Regardless, got to practice casting.  Did see surface activity with Trout feeding on something other than my fishing fly! Going to let it rest for now given the change in weather.
Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

First Fish for the Field Team in 2010...

Hit Bethany Lakes this morning for a quick trip to practice flycasting.  No luck with Trout but did manage to hook and land a little Bass using a Bead Head Olive Wooley Bugger under a strike indicator.  Slight strike but indicator made the difference! Even better, it is the first fish for the Field Team in 2010!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Closed out 2009's COAF Fishing Leader Board, Started 2010's!

Closed out 2009's COAF Fishing Leader Board and started 2010's.  No pictures posted as of yet, but will be anxiously waiting/posting pictures as they come in from the Field Team and our Readers.

Good luck and good fishing!


Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year (2010) by our readers.

Blue River Oklahoma - Scouting Trip

Decided to run up to Oklahoma and checkout the Blue River. Heard good things about the Trout fishing.  Liked what we saw, will be back.  Did not fish this round but am ready to fish on the next trip - purchased licenses and trout permits.  Now.... just need to come back!

Good News, Bad News.... Two Limits of Trout to Closeout 2009!

Good News and Bad News.... Good News first, Field Team caught two limits of Trout at Bethany Lakes this morning to closeout the year.  Caught them using Orange Powerbait; cleaned and cooked them soon after!

Bad News... Water Turkey showed up and have begun feeding.  Cross our fingers the Trout make it through the week!

Happy New Year and looking forward to another fun year in 2010!

Today's Catch:

Today's Lunch:

Still Worth A Try At Bethany For Trout

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening for Trout.  Caught three using Orange Powerbait and Bread.  Missed another eight; too slow/fast in setting the hook or lost while landing them.  Bite was slow but Trout are still there.  Even saw some surface activity as the sun was setting.  Not sure what the next front will do to the action but it looks as if Bait over Lures is the preference.  Seems as if it is still worth a try at Bethany for Trout.

Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Summary of Lures/Baits Used For Trout (Dated 30 Dec'09)

"Summary of Lures/Baits Used for Trout" as of 30 Dec'09 is posted below.  Over 120+ reports received from the Field Team and our Readers were collated.  Results showed Powerbait, Super Dupers, and Nymphs/Wooley Buggers were consistent producers.  Similar to the results observed for 2008-2009 Season!

Further breakout of the data, indicated colors of choice were:

• Powerbait in Orange and Chartreuse
• Super Dupers in Gold and Silver
• Nymphs/Wooley Buggers in Olive

Cold Temps This Morning, But LLELA's Bruisers Were Prowling!

Cold temps this morning made for a hard time getting motivated to hit the local pond.  Decided to try Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA) instead.  If you are going to be cold, might as well try freezing somewhere than the usual places.

LLELA's Trout stocking are usually larger size Trout compared to the 9"-10" Stockers released in the local community lakes.  Have seen some nice size Trout taken over the years.  Looks like this season is maintaining the status quo....

Several Bruiser Trout were caught by area fishermen.  Throw in an 18 pound Catfish to boot, and things were definitely on the upswing. It was a slow bite with only one strike on the fly using an Olive Wooley Bugger.  Else, all others (Trout) were caught on Powerbait Worms!

Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.