Another Pond Report

[BilletHead]

Another pond report. This is by far my most favorite pond to fish. A little history about the place. It was a family pond with a shelter house, trees, fire pit and a nice peninsula that ran about 60 feet out from the shelter. A few years back a farmer who started working the ground built up the dam so the pond would catch more water so he use it for irrigation. This more than tripled the size of the place and flooded the shelter and killed the trees. Put approx. two foot of water in the shelter plus put the trees way out in the water. Just some of the tree trunks left and when the lake got low the owner pushed what branches were left out of the water, bummer I think but he was cleaning up things I suppose. The peninsula is still there and another hump I found out in the middle. Not much cover now for fry to hide but I think those that survive grow to nice size especially the bluegill. They have to so the bass can't eat some of them. Since farm ground surrounds the water early run off turned the place to muddy water. Now that grass has grown and the soil is not yet turned because late beans will be planted it finally cleared up. I could see one to one and a half foot deep today. Now to fishing, launched the kayak and paddled out. Early the pond was still and a large popper was tied on. Then the fiasco ensued. Bass after bass hammered the popper. Frisky too as they cleared the water many times before coming to my hand and then released. I caught several from in and around the shelter. Pretty funny getting the hit and then having to work the fish from around the posts with the fly rod. Soon the wind came up and the top water bite slowed. I changed to a streamer, then a sex dungeon to catch a few more. Sun was starting to get pretty intense, shorts and barefoot in the yak. Started to get pretty red so it was time to quit. The bass size was nice with nothing under 14" up to one over 16". I know there are some over 5lbs in there because in the last two years I have released many. I guess they were hiding today?

Some pictures for you all of a few fish, the shelter and todays flys. The flys are a bit fuzzy but you get the idea,

BilletHead

[mic]

Nice. Thanks for the report.

[ollie]

That shelter is now under water all the time? That would suck I would think. Nice bass though.

[ruthead]

Big time fun! Is it tough to balance the kyak while fishing? Never been in one.

[Flysmallie]

Nice report.

[BilletHead]

Ollie I have only seen the shelter dry twice and that was the last two summers when the lake was pumped low for irrigation. Ruthead, depends on the type of kayak you have. We have not fell out of ours yet and I doubt you could flip it but fall out maybe. Flysmallie Ronnie, All I thought was what a dummy I am for not doing the fly swap. What do you think I could of done with your popper? Went back and fought the wind with Mrs. BilletHead on her day off. Most of the bass were up in the moss. You know all the pictures like Al does showing bass coming out of the water for dragon flys? Well we got to see it happen in real life. The bass would come straight up clearing the water chasing dragon flys. IT was awesome to see it up close. More pictures from today. Most of the fish came from top water but a few on buggers. I lost a nice one on a black meat whistle. Came back with curls on the end of my tippet, my bad knot dumb butt kind of curl.

[Flysmallie]

Probably would have got skunked with one of my poppers. I have some more in the works. I'll send you a couple when they are done. It might be snowing by then.

[BilletHead]

That would be nice Ronnie and I would send you something. Would not quite match up though I would bet. It would catch fish I know that for sure

[BilletHead]

You all are most likely getting tired of seeing pond bass? After getting skunked looking for hybrids on the river yesterday I needed a fix. Yes I went back to the "pond" again this morning. Almost didn't go with the north east wind. But after the Mrs. went to work I loaded the yak and headed out. 8:30 as I slid into the water. Went to the shelter and worked it over and caught two out deeper with a slow retrieve. Crap I thought stupid easterly wind, should of known better. This place has a moss that floats and it will pack on one side and ten the other depending on the wind direction. With the crazy south gusts it was all packed on the North side this morning. I kept hearing splashes but could not figure where they were coming from. I paddled to the north side where the stillest water was. The moss flotilla as I call it was breaking up an heading South. Got a bit closer to see small fry jumping from a pursuit of larger fish. I slowly paddled closer as I knew there was only 4 to 8 inches of water where this was going on. Then I seen something I have never witnessed before. I knew what I was seeing but hard to believe. Big green bass backs and tails cruising the moss edge. I mean three to four fish in packs looking for fry and they all the sudden they would attack and run the fry up the bank and even some landed on the moss patches. This is pretty cool and I tied on a baitfish pattern. Stood up slowly and threw the fly. It hit the water, one strip and all I could see was a mouth flare open and fish on! I did this from place to place catching up to three each place until I had to move down the bank to another spot. Clearest I have ever seen this water. In certain places I watched fish chase from five or more feet to intercept the streamer. I will not, or try to not bash and east wind again. Soon the cell phone rang and It was the Mrs. going on lunch break, she says what are you doing? I tell her where I was at and she says YOU SUCK! hahahah Ok a couple of more photos. Hey this 9" bluegill likes fry too,

BilletHead

[mic]

I'm not tired of reading the reports. Keep them coming.