Sighted and Ready To Go...!

Made it to the Gun Range and sighted in the rifle that I plan to use this season.  Had used a Remington 788 in 243 Winchester for several seasons.  Decided to go with the larger caliber 30-06. 



Was going to use a P17 Enfield Military Surplus Rifle; changed my mind and picked up a Mossberg ATR 100 in 30-06 Springfield from Academy Sports.



Noted the various threads and posts on the Hunting Forums saying good and bad things.  Ignored the rants and raves and decided to purchase one, for any other reason, than to buy another firearm on the cheap.



Loaded up reloads in 150 grain Speer Round Nose Soft Points, Winchester Cases, CCI Large Rifle Primers, and 44 grains of IMR 3031.  After initial bore sighting and adjustments for windage and elevation, Deer Rifle is sighted in a ready to go.!

Sighted in a ready to go!

Handgun, Hog Hunting AK, and Deer Rifle!

More Preparations for Deer Season....

After reloading .223 Remington last week, groups stayed under an 1" save a called flyer or two.  Decided to reload 30-06 Springfield in lieu of the .243 Winchester used the past nine seasons.  Loaded up 50 rounds; now need to sight in the rifle!

More Preparations for Deer Season....

Skillet-Fried Trout....

Fall is near and Winter will soon follow but.... Had a craving for Skillet-Fried Trout!

Since Winter Trout Stockings have not begun yet, decided to stop at the grocery store for some Trout.

Worked out well - a simple recipe of Season Salt, Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powde; cooked for 8" to 15" on each side depending on how crispy you want them!

Four Bass On An Olive Lefty Deceiver At Kroger Park

Fished Kroger Park this evening. Caught four Bass on an Olive Lefty Deceiver. No Bruisers, just some Scrappy Bass willing to strike a fast moving fishing fly!

Four Bass On An Olive Lefty Deceiver At Kroger Park

Click-on 2010'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!

Lots of Strikes; Only One Landed At Kroger Park.

Fished Kroger Park this evening.  Had a lot of strikes from Bass on a Yellow Grasshopper; just could not hook up long enough to land them.  Managed one little Bass just after dark.  Picture is fuzzy due to low light conditions.  Bass were active and feeding on the surface and just below the surface.  Looked like they were chasing baitfish.  Had a couple of Bruisers strike, but came off the hook soon after....

Click-on 2010'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!

Sighting In At The Range.

More preparations for the upcoming Deer Season.  After reloading cartridges yesterday, took the opportunity to sight in my rifle at the local gun range.  Fun chore that had to be done.  Bottom-line:  Rifle is sighted in and ready to go for the upcoming Season!  Hope to fill the freezer, then shift focus back to Ducks!

Lease Preparations..... Deer Season!

Been a busy weekend making repairs at the Lease.  Enjoy Duck Hunting but tend to hunt for Deer and Hogs for the freezer.  Once filled, it is back to Ducks!



Deer feeder maintenance completed, fences repaired, and trails cleared.  Hope to enjoy some good hunts in the near future!

Maintenance Completed!



A Bass, A Bluegill, and A Sunfish at Bethany....

Stopped by Bethany earlier today and noted Bass in the shallows.  But, did not seem interested in striking anything offered.  Came back this evening and managed a Bass, a Bluegill, and a Sunfish on a Yellow Grasshopper.  Tried several other fishing flies without success. Switched to the Yellow Grasshopper and started getting some action.  Slow action but did hook and lose maybe a two pounder.

A Bass, A Bluegill, and A Sunfish at Bethany....

Click-on 2010'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!

Three On A Grasshopper and One On A Lefty Deceiver But....

Fished Bethany this evening and caught three Bass on a Grasshopper.  Switched to a Lefty Deceiver and had a few strikes, then landed one that went 13.5" in size.  Too bad the picture did not turn out well; was caught well after dark.  Would have taken the lead in this month's One Fishing Fly Challenge.  Oh well, better luck next time!

Three On A Grasshopper and One On A Lefty Deceiver But....

Click-on 2010'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!

Yellow Grasshopper Keeps Things Going!

Tried another variation of the Lefty Deceiver.  Had one strike but failed to land it.  Tried several other fishing flies without success, then switched to the Yellow Grasshopper when the surface activity picked up at sunset.  Ended with four Bass and a few Bluegill and Sunfish.

Sampling of Today's Catch!

Olive Lefty Deceiver Variant Seems To Be Working On Bass!

After losing the modified Lefty Deceiver this morning, tied another variation using less material.  This time went with Olive Hackles for the body and Marabou for the collar. Kept the body streamlined to mimic the little Minnows the Bass have been feeding on.

Looks like it worked this afternoon; caught six Bass - two largest went 11.5" and 11" in size.  Submitted both to October's One Fishing Fly Challenge. 

Liking the simple pattern, just got to remember to fish it slow when casting under the Cypress trees.  Bass seemed to be lurking for a Minnow to swim within range!

Olive Lefty Deceiver Variant Seems To Be Working On Bass!

One Sunfish on a Deceiver. Lost the Fly and Switched to a Grasshopper...

Cooler morning compared to yesterday made for a slow down in the action.  Did manage a few fish this morning at Bethany Lakes.  But,... lost the Deceiver.

Two Bass On a Modified Lefty Deceiver!

Modified the Lefty Deceiver to better imitate the baitfish that the Bass are feeding on.  Caught two Bass with the largest going 11.5" in size.  Not a Bruiser but enough to take the lead in October's One Fishing Fly Challenge! Simple pattern with modifications to the length (~2" in size) and Olive Marabou replacing Bucktail for the collar.

Two Bass On a Modified Lefty Deceiver!

Click-on 2010'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 Bass on a Lefty Deceiver and Two Bass and Two Bluegill on a Grasshopper.

Made modifications to the Lefty Deceiver and managed to catch two Bass.  Things slowed down, so switched to a Grasshopper and caught two Bass and two Bluegill.  Bass continue to stay shallow, hugging the banks.  Be sure to tread lightly and stand well away from the bank to minimize spooking the Bass.

Bass were little but will be sending the two caught on a Lefty Deceiver to October's One Fishing Fly Challenge to get things started this month!.

Two Bass on a Lefty Deceiver and Two Bass and Two Bluegill on a Grasshopper

More Bass At Bethany On Yellow Grasshoppers!

Returned to Bethany Lakes for another go at the Bass.  Caught seven Bass and several Bluegill/Sunfish on a Yellow Grasshopper.  Did fish a Lefty Deceiver and had one strike but no hook-ups.  Best bet for now is to stay with the Yellow Grasshopper.  Did observe others catching Bass using Spinner Gear.  Also, noted a Catfish caught on Roostertail!

Click-on 2010'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!

Four Bass and a Bluegill on a Yellow Grasshopper at Bethany!

Fished Bethany at Lunch today. Things started out slow with no strikes on the Lefty Deceiver and Bead Head Leech.  Switched to the Yellow Grasshopper.... Fished on a slow retrieve, able to catch four Bass and a Bluegill!

Click-on 2010'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!

Tough Outing; Bluegill and a Sunfish On a Yellow Grasshopper.

Tough outing at Bethany today.  Tried a variation of the Lefty Deceiver without success.  Had one strike but missed the hookset.  Switched to a Yellow Grasshopper and managed a Bluegill and a Sunfish with the latter caught well after dark.

Click-on 2010'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 Bass On A Lefty Deceiver At Bethany Lakes.

Tried a Lefty Deceiver to tempt the Bass at Bethany Lakes this evening.  Caught two Bass using a slow retrieve and simulating an injured minnow.  Tried a faster retrieve without a strike.  Looks like slow was the key today!

Two Bass On A Lefty Deceiver At Bethany Lakes.

Click-on 2010'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!

A Sunfish and Three Bass At Bethany Lakes

Back to Bethany this evening to redeem yesterday's strikeout.  Today was better with one Sunfish caught on a Clouser Minnow, two Bass caught on a Yellow Grasshopper, and one Bass on a Bead Head Leech Streamer.

Had to switch lures as the Clouser was not triggering strikes even when passed right by the Bass in the shallows!  Good day made even better with the nice weather.

A Sunfish and Three Bass At Bethany Lakes!

Click-on 2010'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!

Snapped a Photo of a Bruiser Catfish at Celebration!

While out for a walk around Celebration Park this evening, noticed a fisherman bringing in a Bruiser Catfish at the East Pond.  Nice one!

Click-on 2010'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!