blacknoseddace

well done sir. Amazing!

Lol! Stand far enough away from the camera on a big drum at the right angle and it might pass for a monster bass!

I have in the past and as soon as I get something decent I'll post it. Remodeling the home, death in the family, does take priorities right now. Thanks chief!

I was looking over some pictures of prior fishing trips. I like to position some fish with the fishing reel or other objects to give a sense for the size. Some fish look better held vertical and some look better horizontal, especially for belly girth. Unless the fish is a hawg, it can be tough to be able to gauge true size/weight in photos.

That makes perfect sense Lowestx175. There are always rumors about the spawn being over before it's over, year after year.

At the end of the day Saturday the water temp near the dam was 50 . The highest I saw was a little over 52. Caught a few bass slow rolling a spinnerbait and just before dark a few on pumpkin zoom craws.

Looks like you had a "Good Friday!"

Warm night time temps for several days, water temps upper 50's to mid 60's, warm rain, dogwoods in bloom, and it's on!

Yes, I've heard that before, very true. Give us a few examples why that would happan Walcrabass.

Good luck. Catch a bunch!

Jason, I understand what you are saying about the warm temps triggering spawn, but I think the whites will spawn well into April. Every year the temperatures fluctuate up and down in March and April. The fish will spawn in waves sporadically during that period instead of all at once. This has been my experience from Stockton tributaries down to Bull Shoals and Table Rock tributaries.

Spoken by a man who knows his stuff! Everything I have read from you has been spot on Slab Slinger. I've spent quite a few fruitless days trying when the fish just weren't there. Sometimes you just have to go, right? Lol!

On the same page now. Ha ha!

Oops, probably 123, never mind. Just hit me.

Cedar ridge is west of 245 off 215 . He probably means 215 bridge just west of Morrisville. More likely Steel bridge, it's a little farther away to Taylor and even a few miles farther to 215 bridge from high point.

I've never had much luck on calm days, particularly in shallow water.

Congratulations on such a beautiful fish. I have yet to catch one like that. Would you say that the wind makes the difference for being able to fool bass like this? It seems like crazy winds really gets them going and off their guard. But, on the other hand, it looks calm where you are in the photo, and is that pea a gravel bank? Again, what a fish!

On Carp I use a 4 weight most of the time. For Bass I use an 8 weight with weight forward floating or sink tip line. I agree about not needing a boat, but I love the mobility and comfort for me. As for the emphasis on presentation and stealth rather than specific pattern, true that. Tight lines!

1x is about right because carp are strong and I don't want to fight them all day. The biggest thrill for me is the take and hook set. When they feel the hook they don't stick around. I have had them run 50 yards or so, they are strong fish.

Not a purist...no judgement here. I like it all. ?

Welcome Mtneerguy, I have caught quite a few carp on the fly at Stockton over the years. The only way I do this is "sight fishing" to fish that are "muddling" in the shallows. I use a fly like a Clouser minnow or crawfish type fly with weight that will sink fast and usually has bright enough color that I can see it on the bottom. I lead fish and drop the fly in front of them and wait. When the fish gets close enough to the fly I give it a little twitch. If he's interested, he will inhale it, or he may bolt. Carp are skittish and tough to fool and a real challenge. Fly fishing for carp is the closest thing to going after bonefish and redfish on the Florida flats. Ideally, I like low lake level in the backs of coves and a low wind day. As for Bass, I fish larger streamers for the most part and a little wind is beneficial even though it can make casting a challenge at times. Bass in Stockton will attack a fly, particularly in the Spring when they are concentrated in shallow water. You can catch quality fish too. My favorite 2 streamers are the old standard Lefty's Deceaver in white, and a shad colored Puglisi style streamer.

How do you sharpen your mister twister blades with the serrated edge? Just curious.

A memorable trip! Great job!

That's because it's honeymoon time.

For clarification, I am speaking of the dam area.