Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 14 - Three Lessons Learned Fishing Denison Dam

This round we have a Podcast where we talk about Three Lessons Learned Fishing Denison Dam!

Podcast

No video podcast but here is a related video that talks about more lessons learned!

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 12 - Micro Fly Rods and Micro Fly Fishing

This round we have a Podcast where we talk Micro Fly Rods and Micro Fly Fishing!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 11 - Denison Dam Observations

Podcast where we talk Denison Dam and fishing the tailrace!

Podcast

Video Podcast

What To Do When Lake Levels Are Low But You Want To Go Kayak Fishing... MAKE A CART? [Simple DIY Project Build]

When Light and Easy is not So Light and Easy

Several years ago when drought conditions resulted a number of park and boat ramp closures in the area, I decided to build a kayak cart that would allow me to roll my kayak on wheels instead of carrying it on my shoulders.

My kayak is light and easy to carry from my compact pickup truck to the water's edge normally.  It is not so light or easy when the park gate is closed and the water's edge is much further away.

Build It and You Will Fish

After searching the internet for plans, I came across one plan that someone posted on their Blog (Palmetto Kayak Fishing) that looked simple to build.

I searched further and found a YouTube video (Homemade PVC Kayak Cart) that was similar to the one described in the Blog. Moreover, it provided additional details that convinced me to go ahead and build one.

My Kayak Cart

The end result is posted in the video below. After cutting the PVC to length, it only took me about 30" to assemble it.

I still have some "tweaking" to do but at this point it works... now, just got to find time to breakaway and do some kayak fishing, else will have to wait for the weekend.

Originally posted July 15, 2015

8" Inch Wheel from Walmart

The Day Before... Bethany Lakes Trout Stocking [12-14-2014]

[Originally Posted 12-14-2014]

It's the day before the annual rainbow trout stocking at Bethany Lakes in Allen. The Team is anxious to wet a line and hook a little Stocker Trout!

However,  this year the Team will miss tomorrow's fun as they will be attending a graduation ceremony back at Aggieland. The Team will  be in full force in College Station to be sure it is no hoax but one of own is graduating!

That said, for those able to make it tomorrow, the Team suggested posting the video from last year's opening day at Bethany. The video is posted below; do check it out. 

Key items from that day were:

• PowerBait worked initially but the action slowed but remained steady
• Gold Super Duper on a steady retrieve did not work
• Gold Super Duper on a stop and go retrieve worked
• Trout tended to strike as the lure fluttered down while stopped

Also, last year the weather was sunny and cool; this year it looks like rain and overcast conditions are expected. Not sure how it will affect the fishing; be prepared to switch baits and lures accordingly!

Till next time... Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 10 - Foam Spider and Scud

Podcast where we talk fly fishing and a couple of patterns of interest!

Podcast

Related video and the video podcast for this episode.

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 09 - More Fishing Q&A

Podcast for some more Question and Answer discussions!

Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 08 - Jugline Fishing Q&A #catfishing

Podcast for some Question and Answer discussion on Jug Lining!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 07 - More Jugline Fishing on Lake Lavon #catfish

Podcast about more Jug Lining at our local lake - Lake Lavon!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 06 - Five Tips For Fly Fishing in a Kayak #kayaking

Podcast to provide our Listeners insight on fly fishing from a kayak!

 

Podcast

Related video and the video podcast version posted below for those who prefer video!

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 05 - Jug Line Fishing Lake Lavon. #fishing #update

This podcasts talks about jug lining for Catfish at our local lake - Lake Lavon!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 04 - TGIF Woohoo… #fishing #updates

Closeout the week with a little wine while we discuss fishing plans for the weekend! Key items this round:

- Still liking Strebel Creek Vineyard's Firehouse Red Wine

- Blue River trout are still biting after 6 weeks from the last stocking

- Tenkara fishing local ponds for a quick trip this weekend

- Temperature drop has a pattern mixed, play it by ear

- Livestream Podcast planned for Sunday on iFishNews at 6PM Central

- More videos and podcast in the future are planned!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 03 - Tenkara Fishing in Close Quarters?

Another Tenkara Podcast for our audience!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 02 - Virtual Q&A with Three Bassmasters!

This podcast brings three Virtual Bassmasters for a Q&A Session. Guess who they are?

Podcasts On The Fly musing… Podcast 01 - Tenkara Fishing #coaffieldteam #tenkara

This one is our first podcast, no more beta testing!

Podcast

Video Podcast

Fishing the Blue River in Oklahoma

For several Winters the COAF Field Team focused on fishing local community lakes and ponds for Rainbow Trout. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would publish its Winter Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule the latter half of November each year. The Team reviewed the schedule and adjusted work/personal commitments to maximize their chances at fishing for the scrappy Trout.

These locations included Bethany Lakes in Allen, Towne Lake in McKinney, and the Commons Pond in Frisco. Of the three, Bethany Lakes typically received a stocking mid-December, and then stockings in Towne Lake and Commons Pond would follow the next year in mid/late February.

About four years ago, the Team decided to try fishing the Blue River in Oklahoma. They heard from others that the River was less than two hours away, was stocked weekly starting November through March the following year, and offered an excellent opportunity for larger Rainbow Trout compared to the little Stockers being released the Team's area.

The Team's first fishing trip to the Blue River was November 13, 2010. The Team caught Trout; moreover, they saw some Bruisers that went easily over five possibly ten pounds! As it turned out, a Trout Derby was in progress. In support of the Trout Derby, larger fish were included in the stocking.

Since then the Team has returned several times to fish the Blue River with good results each time. More important, when the Trout fishing bug strikes, they have discovered a day trip to the Blue makes for a good cure!

Tinkering About... Made a DIY Whip Finish Tool! #flytying

Prototype Worked But...

Work is work but still cannot help but think about fishing. This time, I thought about making a Whip Finish Tool that was just a tad bit larger than the one I bought from Cabela's.

After a little brainstorming, I made a prototype using spring wire from little marker flags used for marking buried lines and cables before a contractor digs up the ground.

Prototype worked but the diameter needed to be smaller.

Let's Try Again!

Next round, I decided to head to Hobby Lobby for ideas. In short order, I picked the parts listed below:

• .047" Music Wire
• 3/32" Brass Tube
• 4mm Round Copper Beads
• Super Glue

Using pliers, diagonal cutters, and a vise grip, I cut and formed the Music Wire into a Whip Finish Tool using one I bought from Cabela's as a template. 

• The modification I made was to lengthen the gap of the tool. This allowed easier whip finishing larger flies that end "mid-body" like the Foam Grasshopper.
• Once the wire  was shaped and cut, I cut brass tubing to make a rotating handle and placed copper beads as spacers at both ends of the handle. 
• To complete the DIY project, I bent the end of the wire to secure the copper bead and added Super Glue for good measure.

Simple to make... do give it a go and make your own DIY Whip Finish Tool!

Till next time, Good Luck and Good Fishing!

PS: If you decide to go the simple and quick route, can always buy a DR Slick Whip Finish Tool courtesy of Bass Pro Shops!

The Under $25 Bait Finesse Systems (BFS) Fishing Rod from Bass Pro Shops MicroLite Rod! [Liking This One]

Bait Finesse Systems and the "BFS Bug" Bites!

Bait Finesse Systems Fishing can be expensive. However, Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Rod that sells for just under $25 makes getting started much easier on the pocketbook!

My entry into BFS Fishing started with $70 with the purchase of a KastKing Zephyr BFS reel and a repurposed baitcasting rod gathering dust in the corner of my home office.

Shimano BFS Reel

I was then hit with the "BFS Bug" and purchased a Shimano Scorpion 17 BFS reel for $290, another KastKing Zephyr BFS reel (a newer model with a reel drag clicker) for $80, and a Bass Pro Shop Graphite Series rod for $38.

Although I continued to repurpose rods I already owned, I ended up spending about $500 to satisfy the "BFS Bug" at least for now.

Just One More Rod?

Since my funds were running low, I planned to hold off on purchasing more gear. I was down to $75 remaining on the gift cards I received for Christmas; I had used them to buy two of the three BFS reels and the three foot short rod from Bass Pro Shops.

That was the plan until I noticed Bass Pro Shops offered a fiberglass fishing rod that was "bendy" and rated for 1/16oz lures. In short order, I came up with excuses to justify buying the rod - Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Rod:

• Since the rod's action plays a key role in casting light lures, I thought it would be a good fit to repurpose it for BFS fishing.
• I watched a video by Jimmy of raWr Fishing on YouTube who demonstrated the rod and showed its BFS capability.
• Finally, it was under $25, so I would still have $50 on my remaining gift card for other fishing related things!

An Impressive Rod at the Right Price!

I stopped at the local Cabela's to see if there were any of the rods in stock. Since Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's merged rods from both companies are sold at Cabela's.

Unfortunately, they were out of stock. No worries, I ordered one online and saved the shipping cost by having it delivered to the store. In less than a week, I had a new rod for under $25!

Soon after, I "tested" it out at the local pond and was impressed by its feel and casting ability. Things I like in particular were:

BPS MicroLite Rod

• Flexibility or "bendiness" does make casting the light 1/16oz lures easier. I am able to take advantage of the rod helping "cast" the lure.
• Lightweight makes for fast casting, recasting, and repetitive casting. Able to cast for lengthy periods without tiring.
• Rod handle fit my hand well. I could palm the reel, switch from left to right hand and vice versa without a slip, and the trigger guard was positioned to prevent "losing" the rod and reel on a quick cast.

Only complaint and it is a minor one that I had was the rod's yellow color. It does not match well with the Shimano Scorpion 17 BFS reel's gray color. Else, I am liking this rod!

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Rod!

Do add this one your arsenal for those wanting to try BFS Fishing but may be running low on Christmas Gift Cards!

Bass Pro Shops MicroLite™ Glass Casting Rod has advanced technology in lightweight rod built for chasing panfish and trout. Bonded high-density tubular glass construction has just the right amount of  flex for tossing light baits.... [See More]

Click picture to see details at Bass Pro Shops!

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite YouTube Shorts

COAF Field Team on YouTube

Why Bait Finesse Systems - Pros and Cons | Thoughts? (Revisited)

Issues with the audi sync of the original live stream update from the Team! Here is a updated video with the sync issue resolved and additional footage to support the answer to the question about pros and cons of BFS versus Spin Casting.

Was tough to find info specific to comparing BFS with Spin Casting. Decided to try a different approach and then search online.

As I am a novice at BFS, thoughts were to collate inputs from other more experienced fishermen.

Do check out the pre-recorded discussion and lets us know why you decided to try Bait Finesse Systems Fishing!

bfsfishing #pondfishing #baitfinesse

Kastking Zephyr BFS with Reel Clicker | Got a Bass on the Short Rod and DIY Inline Spinner

New reel arrived – Kastking Zephyr BFS reel with reel clicker. Liked the model without a clicker, decided to try the one with a clicker.

Made a quick trip to the local pond and had a Bass on briefly before it threw the hook. Afterwards, it was a slow go without another strike.

Decided to demo the casting ability of the short rod combo. Casting the DIY inline spinner that I modified by adding a larger treble hook, the combo cast well.

Inline spinner weighed just over 1/16oz. Estimated casting distance was 20 yards based on steps. Was going to keep going longer but had to run to the grocery store for an errand.

Luckily, there is a pond near the store. Made a cast or two and landed a nice Bass. Looks like the Short Rod Combo and inline spinner can catch a fish or two!

Fun times!

Bass Pro Shops Graphite Series 3′ Casting Rod