Ham

Heat has me staying closer to home on Friday and focusing on fishing before noon (and maybe again after 5 PM) Hoping for a couple of Fun trips next week.

I saw some type of Shad feeding in some flow. Likely a small skipjack. I was trying to confirm when I got this guy.

LES

I told Johnny I would catch a Bluegill

ubiquitous sunfish

I was happy to see some water running

So, I made the trek north again today. I had a nice visit with @Cajunangler and then fished the spillway area on the James river for a couple of hours. i got a tip about possible walleye there and there could be who knows what there. it was pretty Gosh Darn Hot Today. I drank 84 oz in the two hours I was there and I’m not sure that was enough. Water quality was poor. Fouls smells and appearance. I felt pretty sketchy wading in it, but for the right fish an infected leg is worth it. I caught no walleye. I saw some Brook Silversides, but I did not hook the ones that bit my fly. I worked multiple groups of gizzard Shad feeding on the rocks trying for a reaction strike. It did not happen. I caught 14 small fish. i have pics, but can’t upload them. The long and the short of it is that I am making lots of trips trying for new species on fly and they often are not successful in getting a new species, but I’m paying my dues and hoping that I will catch more species along the way.

That’s Awesome. Kinda jealous, but Super Happy for you.

What size hook does this jighead have?

I only fish Bennett Springs during C&R and I hope for miserable weather to keep the crowds down. Good Luck!

That’s Good Work

Good Luck Catch something weird!

So MRRBRBT?

80) McCloud Rainbow I went to Crane Creek and got a for sure MRR RBT today. I make things harder than they have to be, but I got it done. but still I caught these from a small creek that shall go unnamed. Last stocked decades ago. These little guys are as close to wild as necessary. I only catch the babies. The bigger ones laugh at my crude attempts to fool them. I’m actually going to be back up that way soon and will add another couple of pics.

Ahhh, the common name confusion thing. I love Longear Sunfish. They are a fine little fish. I wish we had Pumpkinseed too, but we don’t.

Are you seeing very many Cutthroat? Where would be my best option to try? I’ve tried State Park and Norfork River. maybe I just have to pay my dues

I am a Man of My Word. I quit at 11. Of course, I caught two more yesterday on the Norfork.

Man, that’s tough news for sure. I wish him comfort.

You didn’t Catch pumpkinseeds. Just sayin. Longear Sunfish most likely. Pics?

79) Brook Trout @FishnDave had to go home eventually . I gathered gear while he packed up and while he was driving home. I made good on the intell @netboy provided. I caught my first one in 15 minutes (I was starting to press a bit). I quit taking pictures after the eighth one. I tried for a Cutty, but caught two decent Rainbows and lost another nice one. I tried to walk out, but the Broookies kept showing off so I changed to a size 10 Pistol Pete and educated a few more. I think Dave had 12 so I quit at 11 Brookies to let him have the title.

78) Bigmouth Buffalo What a crazy day Saturday was. I was just enjoying the heck out of catching bowfin on fly. I started striping my fly to make another cast and became aware that a fish had my fly. It fought differently from bowfin and I was seriously confused about what it might be. It pulled super hard and just did not want to come up. I was so worried about losing it especially after I got a flash of color that mad me think it was a Buffalo of some sort. Thank Goodness that @FishnDave got the net under it.

And Dave caught at least 4 species I did not catch. Warmouth, White Bass, Ozark Bass, and Drum. I think i got a Carmine and I got a Brookie in OT.

So, Sunday rolls around. It’s put up or Shut Up. No more delays for the White River at Batesvillie/Oil Trough. Keep in mind that both Saturday and Sunday morning we loaded our gear and hooked up the boat in the rain. We drove through the rain most of the way to the lake Saturday and we launched in the rain on Sunday. because of the rain, I chose to launch at Batesvillie and swing streamers in heavy current hoping for White Bass and Stripers. The rain waned to a close without any big guys playing. We switched over to skipjack. I caught the first one and then Dave got one. Not big numbers, but he got one. I tried some wing dams hoping for a walleye or sauger, but I only got a small Longear Sunfish. Further down river, Dave got a nice drum that used the current to his advantage. I looked up and saw numbers of Mooneye feeding in the main river. Eased over to try for them. I managed to get Lucky and get one and then we missed a couple strikes. I’m still learning about Mooneye. I didn’t think they were that noise sensitive, but I’m rethinking that one. we relocated to Oil Trough. I have the Mooneye figured out better down there. Dave force fed them his micro jig down there to great effect. He caught a bunch. We tried a few spots for Gar. Nope. We rolled up in my best spot and saw a fish strike. Good sign. Usually, we can get big bluegill, bass, White Bass, Gar, and Skipjack there. This time, it seemed like it was mostly Skipjack. Dave got some White Bass. Skipjack are a really fun fish and we got pleasantly distracted by them. I was Happy Dave got his Mooneye and Skipjack. I like to honor my commitments. I wanted to show him the entire river, but we only had a few hours, and the water quality wasn’t as good as normal. So, it is what it is. Another Fun, crazy, whirlwind trip that I enjoyed a bunch. I look forward to the next adventure.

Thanks, but you’re being too kind. I’m just a guy.

Beautiful Downtown San Antonio Texas! man, you make me want to plan a trip