Kastking Zephyr | Checkout Our First Impression Fishing With the BFS Reel | Liking It!

Kastking Zephyr BFS Reel delivered yesterday. Was able to take it fishing to the local pond. After a few tweaks was able to cast a 1/16 oz Rooster Tail without issue, even caught a little Bass. Here’s to more fish caught using this BFS reel. More to come from an Average Joe’s perspective on BFS fishing!

PS: In keeping with our “Learn to fish by our trials and errors” motto, here are thoughts for this round.

LEARN BY OUR TRIALS AND ERRORS

1. Adjust spool tension so the line does not overrun the spool when the lure hits the water.
2. Adjust the magnetic brake to reduce a backlash and shift the casting release point left or right as desired.
3. Windy conditions will impact the cast more than a standard bait casting reel. Be aware when casting into the wind and against the wind.
4. Make adjustments as you change lures and when using lures that soak up water like a Rooster Tail, make them after they have soaked in water.
5. Practice “training your thumb” but take it one step more. Do this for each lure you
   plan to use to get a feel for the casting stroke.
6. Use 100 feet of line when first starting, it will make it easier to clear the eventual
   backlash.

THOUGHTS
Gotta keep fishing more but first impression from an Average Joe…

• The Kastking Zephyr is a great starting point to learn BFS.
• Other than tweaking the spool tension, adjusting the brake, and educating my thumb, I was able to cast a 1/16oz Rooster Tail and even caught a fish!
• Worked right out of the box… not bad for LESS THAN $70!

Micro Fishing | Two Piece Fly Rod at the Feeder Creek

Quick trip after the day job to a feeder creek for some micro fishing with the two piece micro flyrod. Went with a Griffith’s Gnat fished dry as well as wet. Had few misses at first… smaller hook for these little fish would have been better. But, did catch a few once I found my mojo! Fun stuff!

microfishing microflyrod #microflyfishing

YouTube #Shorts | BFS Fishing | Still Chilly

Another YouTube Shorts video… this one is a quick update on the chilly conditions out there and yours truly lucking out with a Cabelas Gift Card. Bought line and Rooster Tails to go with the BFR reel that delivers next week!

BFS Fishing | On an Average Joe's Budget | Kastking Zephyr 70 Bucks!

While snowed in this past week, watched a number of YouTube videos of which several got me interested in BFS fishing. A viewer a while back suggested giving it a try but the cost was too high for yours truly. That is, until I learned about the Kastking Zephyr. Ordered one for just under 70 dollars. Should deliver latter part of next week. Do check back… hope to catch a fish or two trying BFS Fishing on an Average Joe’s Budget!

YouTube #Shorts | TRWD Flyfest | Why We Like It!

Another YouTube Shorts video to add to the playlist; this one summarizes why we like the fishing event hosted by the Tarrant Regional Water District! Always a great time to be had!

Texas Fishing Updates | Trout Derbies Delayed and Denison Dam Waterflow

Been indoors and iced in from the recent winter conditions. No worries though, can always stay aware of the fishing activity in our area. In this case, noticed delays and/or postponement of several trout derbies as well as had time to check on the waterflow at Denison Dam!

Texas Fishing | Facebook Fishing Groups We Follow?

Impromptu livestream providing fishing updates from the Team. This round, I answer the mail – specifically, what fishing groups we follow on Facebook and why.

Check This Out Before You Go Fishing | Does Fluorocarbon Get Weaker... Maybe Knot!

A simple test to determine if Fluorocarbon line gets weaker after it sits overnight in freezing temperatures. Need more samples to answer the question, but did notice that the results so far suggest paying attention to the knot and worry less about the cold! Check out the video for more details and our plans to continue to testing!

A simple test to determine if Fluorocarbon line gets weaker after it sits overnight in freezing temperatures. It does plus learned a few other things while testing the line! Check out the video for more details!

Fly Fishing Tips from the Little Red Book of Fly Fishing | iFishNews Fishing Podcast 36

Number 17 in the “Little Red Book of Fly Fishing” podcast series where I review fly fishing tips in parallel to the current Winter Trout Stocking Season in our area.

This week it’s tips 70 through 75!

Tip 70: Don’t Be a Slacker
Tip 71: A Hitch in Time
Tip 72: Spiderman Rules
Tip 73: Night Moves
Tip 74: The Refusal Rise: What the Fish Said
Tip 75: A Hanging Offense

Do check back on our next episode in the series where we discuss tips 76 – 81.
Tip 76: A Cure for Nymphing Neurosis
Tip 77: Staying Humble
Tip 78: Sunny Side Down
Tip 79: Look Beyond Your Indicator
Tip 80: The Down-Current Hook-Set
Tip 81: Where the Trout Are

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

YouTube #Shorts | Fun One | Bass on the Fly

Another YouTube Shorts video to add to the playlist; trip to the local pond fishing with a fly fishing gear. Several fish caught with this Bass being the largest. Went over 15″, caught and released to get bigger; maybe will catch him again when the weather warms up again.

Not The Biggest, But Still Fun On the Fly!

Watch This Video To Learn What We Discovered | About Trout Fishing | Corn vs Trout

Interesting discussions about corn and its affect on trout. Key items noted about trout fishing with corn:

1. Mostly anecdotal comments either good and bad
2. Very little published researched.
3. One study mentioned

• Learned it was a Question and Answer reply by PFC (PFBAC) that references a study
• No published research results online of the study; does not mean it was not conducted
• Specific details of the study by others that were not mentioned in PFC’s QA reply suggests results were available at one time.

4. Conclusion

• Given study cited by PFC (PFABC), short term affect suggests not harmful
• Publications from State agencies offer suggestions and tips to use corn
• Legal in all states except one – Rhode Island trout waters
• No reports of mass fish kills as a result of corn

Bottom-Line: Personal choice and in seasonal fisheries where trout will die off in warmer months, impact of corn is lessened.

iFishNews Fishing Podcast - Live Show | February 3, 2021

iFishNews Fishing Podcast hosted by Glenn from the COAF Field Team. Live and with no format; just a forum to talk fishing, and this round… a little fun with the ukulele. Items to note this round:

• YouTube Shorts Videos – COAF Shorts
• Blue River Fishing
• Waterloo in Denison Trout Derby
• Collin County Trout Derbies in February
• TRWD Flyfest
• and a little ukulele song or two to mix things up!

YouTube Shorts | Trout Fishing | Corn vs Powerbait?

More fun collating past trips into the YouTube Shorts video format. This one was a fun trip to a small pond stocked with trout. Decided to fish corn and Powerbait to see which bait the trout liked. Lesson learned… Bring both!

Added it to the COAF Shorts playlist – check it out!

YouTube Shorts | Kayak Fishing | Juglining for Catfish

YouTube Shorts video on a fun trip fishing for catfish using homemade diy juglines while out in the kayak on the local lake! Caught a big one that I had to land on shore… no net and windy conditions. Better to take it to the boat ramp. Add it to the COAF Shorts playlist – click to see more.

Harris County Trout Stocking Schedule

Answering a question from a YouTube viewer… trout stockings for Houston. Below is a snapshot as of today – 2/1/21, from Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Winter Trout Stocking Schedule.

Denison Dam Fishing | Before You Go Fishing Do This? | Re-Broadcast

Rebroadcast of an impromptu livestream providing fishing updates from the Team. This round -” Denison Dam Fishing | Before You Go Fishing Do This” I provide updates to our archived blog post that details reading the generation release schedule and data, and then offer suggestions before you go to Denison Dam. Check it out!

Archived from CityOfAllenFishing.Blogspot.com: https://cityofallenfishing.blogspot.com/2008/03/fyi-denison-dam-real-time-release.html

Pond Fishing | Little Bluegill on a Fly Rod | Bethany Lakes

Saturday started with rain but by afternoon all had passed, decided to go pond fishing at the local pond with the old Redington Pursuit 4wt Fly Rod with Ross Flystart 2 Reel.

Fished a Pat’s Rubber Leg, Near Deere, and Guadalupana without success. Thought Bass would be biting given temps in the high 60 to low 70s. Wind was brutal, else a really nice day to be outdoors fishing!

Ended up playing with the little Bluegill lurking by the Waterfall; strikes on a Griffith’s Gnat and Black Midge. No Bruisers but great practice for light striking trout!

YouTube Shorts | COAF Field Team Playlist Started

Been having fun putting YouTube Shorts videos into a playlist for our viewers to see. Brings back fun times fishing from past trips. Just posted a new one to the list! Do checkout the playlist!

How We Setup The OPST Commando Head?

Impromptu livestream providing fishing updates from the Team. This round I provide a quick update on our recent trip to Turner Falls, and then answer the mail concerning how I setup an OPST Commando Head for one-handed spey casting on a 5wt and 6wt reel.

Main One-handed Spey Casting Setup (6wt Fly Rod)

• TFO Professional Series II 9′ 6wt Fly Rod: https://amzn.to/2D3n9LF
• Echo Ion 6/7wt Fly Reel: https://amzn.to/2WxKnm1
• OPST Commando Head – 225 grain: https://amzn.to/2GjX26n
• M Maximumcatch .026″ 15lbs test coated running line: https://amzn.to/2MKS0kp

Used to be our main One-handed Spey Casting but went to a 6wt this year (2019). Is our backup one now. (5wt Flyrod)

• Echo Ion Fly Reel 4/5 wt: http://amzn.to/2ql1EhN
• Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod (9′-4pc-5wt): http://amzn.to/2rENFHu
• OPST Commando Head (200 grain): http://amzn.to/2zftMuC
• OPST Lazarline Running Line: http://amzn.to/2gTrjOU

Turner Falls Park Fishing | Rainbow Trout Were Picky!

Able to make it yesterday – Saturday – January 23, 2021 to Turner Falls Park for Rainbow Trout fishing. Was not able to fish the Park when they stocked Rainbow Trout late last year. No worries was there yesterday.

The trout are still there but were extremely “picky”. Tried different fishing flies including the Pat’s Rubber Leg, Near Deere, Megaworms, Mop Flies, Dry Flies, and Midges. After removing the strike indicator, had several take an Olive Near Deere managing only one trout and missing the other two.

Fishing buddy caught four on Powerworms fished with a split shot and near bottom. Water was clear and could see the trout react to different baits and fishing flies.

Was different than past trips… more vegetation clobbering the river made for tough fishing. Had to locate open areas and fish the pockets and holes. Also, there were more campers and fishermen than in past trips.

However, area was not crowded; trout were just “picky”!

PS: Also, learned barbless hooks were required; different than past seasons. And, did note the warning signs concerning wild hogs… definitely saw signs of them.