Ham

I’d LOVE a Common Shiner. Striped Shiner is all I have access to.

82) Gizzard Shad I hooked several more on the dropper fly, but the combo of current and them freaking out helped them spot it. this guy ate the #10

It’s not one or the other. Those jobs are physically demanding, but other jobs are too. You are either completely unaware of the subject you are commenting on or you’re trolling. Have Fun, I’m done on this one.

I appreciate that Marty, but I don’t know that would say that. Fishes more obsessively (FIFY) Look those guys choose to fish professionally, so that’s on them. But it ain’t easy street by any means. The tourny days are the easy days. The travel, the time away from family, the stress of trying to win and secure sponsors, the daylight to dark practices, going out and fishing hard in all weather. I wanted to fish professionally ; I wanted to go all over the country and learn all the techniques to catch bass in all those different environments, but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my marriage and my family. I would not have handled the stress well. I could not have kept a level keel and it would have eaten away at me that I wasn’t providing for my children as well as I could have at a real job. I have a lot of respect for how hard they work. It is very physically and mentally demanding and it takes a toll on their bodies. If you think it is easier than your average day job, you’re ignorant or in denial. They aren’t necessarily the best fishermen and certainly they aren’t all model citizens. I still think it’s a much harder gig than many realize.

I respectfully disagree

81) Atlantic Silverside I struggled to get one this year. It was Easy peasy last year. Hopefully, the last one I’ll ever catch. Excessively fragile. I think every one I’ve ever caught has died on me.

Sounds like a Good trip

I’m a part time fly guy and I find it hard to use all the rods I have. Only semi joking about setting up a rotation

That older gear brings you joy. That's Great ! I hope you enjoy it. You might have to set up a formal rotation to use them all.

The big ones of what species ?

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.