FishnDave

Awesome! I feel like Bowfin are finally starting to get the respect they deserve as a bonafide gamefish.

This one, unfortunately, was foul-hooked... in the eye socket of an already messed-up eye on the far side. But it was a massive fish, and fought like one. Ancient, could be older than me! 36.5" long. Very heavy fish. I've ran some depth vs standard length calculations to try and determine whether this is a Black Buffalo or Smallmouth Buffalo. The calcs didn't work out to be in the range of either fish. I saw this : "Black Buffalo often hybridize with other buffalofish, which further complicates positive identification." Opinions are welcome.

Caught a number of Freshwater Drum. Biggest was this 25" fattie: Caught some Bigmouth Buffalo and Black Buffalo while flyfishing. A few were foul-hooked, but several of each species also ate the fly. This one measured 31":

Got my first White Bass of the year. And Yellow Bass: And Channel Catfish And Spotted Gar: Some repeat species as well... Green Sunfish, Bluegill.....White Crappie: Black Crappie: Bowfin:

Spotted Bass 3 Grass Carp Four Deer Raccoon

Some Green Sunfish Shortnose Gar: A couple Bowfin: 30.25" Shortnose Gar: Tiny crappie! Bluegill:

With big ol' sunfish like those on patrol... I can see why the bowfin were spooky. And those sunfish and small gar probably had the bass all scared and pinned into a corner somewhere.

After getting skunked by Bowfin after too many tries this year at my usual swamp, I went to another spot to try for them. I was hoping to not have to resort to it....it doesn't always pay off either, and I've gotten Lone Star ticks several times there. But I went. And finally scored! Probably lost 5 or 6, but landed 3! And a half dozen crappies.... although two of the crappies were recaptures on the day! The recaptures happened 9 minutes and 15 minutes after the first capture... so I guess I didn't treat them too poorly the first time.

Happy Birthday and Retirement!

It was raining all day. So the fish carcasses and bird-poop covered rocks really blossomed with renewed Spring-like freshness. 🤢

First outing of the year for me. I was flyfishing for anything... hoping for Hybrid Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, Crappies... Flathead... anything. I tried Clousers a few times, no takers. I switched to a microjig. I ended up foul-hooking a number of fish, but did lip/mouth hook multiple Common Carp, one Silver Carp, and one Bigmouth Buffalo. Foul-hooked others of those, and also a couple Bighead Carp. Y'know.... the mottling on the Bighead Carps is kinda pretty.

Double Rainbow? What does this mean??

I do travel well. I pack down into my own carry-on and even fit into the overhead bins if folded up correctly. Not a picky eater. I saw Terri's video from this trip, eating a leaf-cutter ant (on purpose!)... I might pass on that delicacy. I can help carry your gear, net your fish for you, take decent pics of your fish, and get you copies of those pics pronto.

heck yeah! Keep it going!!

I didn't catch any of the above species. I caught just 2 new fish for the year...the crappie with a black stripe on its head/nose, and a paddlefish. Totalled 62 species on fly for the year. Was pleased to catch some Fliers in Missouri, some Bantam Sunfish, a Northern Snakehead in MO on fly, and had a fun couple days with @Ham on a sweet Arkansas stream that yielded 16 species in one day for me. The late season Hybrid Striped Bass were very fun catches as well. Lifetime on fly, I've surpassed 500 Koi, 400 Goldfish, achieved 300 Grass Carp, and 246 Bowfin. Those are the only species I've tracked, since I only started catching them relatively recently.

Thanks Phil! The shirt has arrived, I've worn it.... It looks great, I love it and I love the color scheme! Kudos to the shirt designer and printer... and the packager and shipper! Thank you!

Lost one, then landed my first-ever Paddlefish (aka Spoonbill). My microjig was right in the very tip of its bill (rostrum?) Bighead Carp (not hooked in the mouth): It's been a number of years since I last caught a Yellow Bass, so I was happy to land this little fella: Also caught a Freshwater Drum or two.

Went looking for Hybrid Striped Bass yesterday. Only managed one. But that's one more than last time. Some other fish were caught. Smallmouth Buffalo: Silver Carp (these did not get hooked in the mouth): White Crappies:

I don't know how much bigger they get... that seems like a MONSTER Banded Sculpin!

Crazy! At this point, might as well see what the weirdest fly you can catch a bass on. #22 Midge?