Side Tracked From Fishing... But Found A Little Humor!

Was not able to hit the local community lakes and ponds this weekend.  Side tracked from fishing due to other committments.  But, found a little humor while on the road!  Picture is of poor quality due to low lighting but enough comes through to get the jest!

Side Tracked From Fishing... But Found A Little Humor!

Struck Out This Evening; Cross Our Fingers The Rangers Don't!

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening.  Tried Deceivers, Wooley Buggers, Grasshoppers, etc....  Could not get a bite!  Went with the strike indicator, no luck.  Went without it, no luck.  Fast retrieve, slow retrieve, no luck.  Even worse, Bass were chasing baitfish in the shallows. Just did not want what was offered.  Saw a number of Bruisers, too!

Bottomline: Struck out!  Now, let's hope the Rangers don't tonight!

Strike Indicator Made a Difference!

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening.  Short trip, had to make it back to watch the Rangers play!  Tied two more Weighted Olive Buggers to replace the ones lost.  Caught three Bass fishing the Wooley Bugger under a strike indicator.  Really light strikes today.  Strike indicator made a difference!

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!

Was a Very Nice Day... To Lose a Bruiser, NOT!

Tied a backup Olive Wooley Bugger today using a smaller hook size and lead wire instead of the bead head.

It was a good thing the backup was available.  Ended up losing the last Bead Head Olive Wooley Bugger to a Tree Fish at Bethany.  Did manage to catch a Sunfish beforehand luckily.

Started fishing the backup Olive Wooley Bugger and had a few strikes but no hookups.  Then, barely felt a strike, set the hook, and had a Bruiser on the line.  Fight lasted about a minute, then the line broke.

Was a very nice day... to lose a Bruiser, NOT!   Oh well, there is always next time.

PS:  Met one of our Readers fishing with his Son this evening. 

Was great to meet them; made even better with a Bass caught by the young fisherman. 

Good stuff!

Regular Duck Season Kicks Off This Weekend In Our Area!

Regular Duck Season kicks off this weekend in our area!  We wish everyone good luck and good hunting this Season.



Not going to make the Season Opener but will be out there later in the Season.  Till then, we look forward to reports from the Field.



Feel free to drop us a note by sending emails to our partners - The COAF Field Team (COAF.Weblog@Live.Com)!

Strong Winds Made It Tough But Managed Two Bass This Evening At Bethany Lakes

Strong winds made it tough flycasting this evening.  But, did manage to catch two Bass on the Bead Head Olive Wooley Bugger. Had some issues while casting into the wind, ended up losing two of the three Wooley Buggers tied yesterday. After making some adjustments and favoring the wind from behind, was able to get some decent casts for distance! Hope tomorrow brings more favorable conditions!

 

Three Bass and a Sunfish On a Bead Head Olive Wooley Bugger!

Tied more Bead Head Olive Wooley Buggers to replace the one lost this morning.  Returned to Bethany Lakes after the rain passed.  Caught three Bass and a Sunfish. But, missed a lot more.  Fun fishing... made even better when using fishing flies you have tied! 

Three Bass and a Sunfish On a Bead Head Olive Wooley Bugger!

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!

Tied A BH Olive Wooley Bugger, Caught A Bass, then Lost the Fly!

Tied a Bead Head Olive Wooley Bugger this morning, then fished it at Bethany Lakes to reaffirm its standing as the Field Team's favorite fishing fly.  Caught one Bass that went about 13".  Then, lost the fishing fly to a snag on the next cast.... Going to tie a few more and keep in the flybox.  Looks as if the Olive Wooley Bugger continues to be a consistent producer!!!

Tied A BH Olive Wooley Bugger, Caught A Bass, then Lost the Fly!

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 and Two Sunfish At Bethany On A White Grasshopper.

Fished Bethany Lakes this morning. Bite was slow but did manage two Bass and two Sunfish on a White Grasshopper! Had several other strikes but missed them. Looks like rain is brewing, bite may pick up with the weather change!

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, Three Sunfish, and One Bluegill on a Yellow Grasshopper.

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening after trying earlier in the day without success. Bass were in the shallows but were not active then.

Went back this evening and caught four Bass, three Sunfish, and one Bluegill.  All were caught on a Yellow Grasshopper. FYI: Did hook a Bruiser but lost it while landing it by the shoreline!

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!

One Bass At Bethany Lakes This AM!

Slow go this morning with a few srikes on the Lefty Deceiver.  Observed active Bass chasing baitfish in the shallows.  Was having a tough go getting them to strike, let alone hooking one.  Finally managed one Bass on that "last cast"!

One Bass At Bethany Lakes This AM!

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!

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!