The Push for 100 Species in 2021

[Devan S.]

3 hours ago, BilletHead said:

          We have completed the first challenge of the western native trout challenge in one trip. If they had grandfathered what we would of already done we would be done with second challenge. We need to revisit the Apache and Gila to get that done. Do some reshuffling of states and have that senond challenge complete!

Nice. The state shuffling is the slightly concerning part to me. It becomes much clearer I feel like the more you check off but right now there is too many options to narrow things down. 

I don't feel like I need to catch a Rio cutt in a specific stream in NM but feel like I should just in case I need it later on. 

[BilletHead]

8 minutes ago, Devan S. said:

Nice. The state shuffling is the slightly concerning part to me. It becomes much clearer I feel like the more you check off but right now there is too many options to narrow things down. 

I don't feel like I need to catch a Rio cutt in a specific stream in NM but feel like I should just in case I need it later on. 

              Caught our Rio grand cutthroat in a stream in southern Colorado. Actually it was genetic pure we were told. Had to drive through the Sand dunes national monument to get there. Driving our Pickup truck with overhead camper on the back. Did not let air out of tires like recommended to get back to the spot. Let me tell you the pucker factor was off the scale. Isolated primitive campgrounds back there. Spent the night and out again next morning same pucker factor going out. Narrow road with very few pull outs. We had some funny looks from the jeep and buggy drivers on the road. You get fined big time for getting stuck and blocking the road. AAAhhhh the memories! 

[Johnsfolly]

There are some native green fish slam opportunities as well.  I saw a black bass slam in Bassmaster back in 2009. At that time I believe that there were only 8 recognized species. I found that besides the Guadelupe and the Florida bass, nearly all the others at that time could be found in creeks, rivers, lakes in Georgia. with family living in GA, I tried my best to catch at least everyone except the Guadelupe. In 2009, I caught smallmouth in MO, shoal bass, redeye bass (now coosa bass), northern largemouth in GA, but missed landing a suwannee and a Florida. What was even more impressive to me was that I caught those bass all on the same lure, an Excaliber spittin image topwater. then I lost it after I caught my first shoal bass 😒. I had two small suwannee's on and lost them at the boat which still haunts me. I did catch Neosho smallies in MO in 2016.

Since 2009 taxonomists have been busy splitting former species/subspecies complexes for black blass they have added many new species to the mix. Now there are possibly 17 different species/subspecies of black bass. Ten of those reside in GA and the state has a Bass Slam program. Not sure if this will be an active hyperlink, so you can just copy it into your browser to get into that site.

https://georgiawildlife.com/fishing/angler-resources/GeorgiaBassSlam

Like the trout slams, to accomplish the bass slam you will fish different river drainages as well as very different habitats. For those that are not afraid to go into Alabama, the former redeye bass has been split into five species that are found in GA and AL. This is a stream species, so you will need to be able to fish skinny water. Perfect for you flyfishing guys.

I still have relatives in GA and still have a mind to catch all of these bass sometime in my lifetime.

[Johnsfolly]

Found ourselves upstate and close to a spot where I had found goldfish from a tip. Today only saw a few goldfish. The ones around me all had those guardian bluegill. So all I got were chunky bluegill on the corn and no goldies😒. Livie connected on a healthy goldfish.

Livie #91 L Goldfish

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

On 8/27/2021 at 7:51 AM, Johnsfolly said:

What was even more impressive to me was that I caught those bass all on the same lure, an Excaliber spittin image topwater. then I lost it after I caught my first shoal bass 😒. 

....you must not be a proficient caster.   So from what I've read on other forums.   

But, truly, this sounds like a neat accomplishment or goal.  

 

I've yet to catch a goldfish.  I do plan on targeting one in the future.   I knew of a creek that had some but it's been over 15 years since I've looked for them there. 

[Johnsfolly]

23 minutes ago, Daryk Campbell Sr said:

....you must not be a proficient caster.   So from what I've read on other forums. 

Probably right 🙄, since I have lost some TW baits in bank brush where it was too deep to get across to get my bait. I actually have climbed a bluff or two on the upper Current to get back my hand painted Rapalas.

Though I lost this bait due to not checking my line and the bait and my line soon parted 😒. I liked that bait. Vanish line use to fray quickly and sent many baits out on their own. Unlike the cast that lost the bait in discussion (downstream cast and rapids), most were on upstream casts, so I just needed to be patient and they typically would come right past and into my net. Some rocketed into the woods never to be seen by me again even with searching.

[snagged in outlet 3]

48 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

ait. I actually have climbed a bluff or two on the upper Current to get back my hand painted Rapalas.

Any pictures?😁.   The climb not the bait😂

[Johnsfolly]

42 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Any pictures?😁.   The climb not the bait😂

No. Way before I was taking photos. If you are familiar with the Current, it was the first steep bluff hole below Baptist access.

[FishnDave]

On 9/4/2021 at 7:12 PM, Johnsfolly said:

Found ourselves upstate and close to a spot where I had found goldfish from a tip. Today only saw a few goldfish. The ones around me all had those guardian bluegill. So all I got were chunky bluegill on the corn and no goldies😒. Livie connected on a healthy goldfish.

Livie #91 L Goldfish

Sweet!  Nice one!  I caught 4 today flyfishing at the bullhead pond, and had a few misses and another one or two shake loose right away.

[Johnsfolly]

9 minutes ago, FishnDave said:

Sweet!  Nice one!  I caught 4 today flyfishing at the bullhead pond, and had a few misses and another one or two shake loose right away.

Couple of chunks! Congrats!