Fall Bowfin Expedition 11/6/23

[Ham]

We had that HARD cold spell that really chilled the smaller bodies of water. Larger bodies of water take a lot longer to warm up and cool off. I wasn’t Super excited about diminishing warm water opportunities, but it’s the natural  order of things so you just have to grin and bear it. 
 With the warming trend, I had a lot of possible fishing trips in mind, but I decided to do what is likely my last Bowfin fishing of the year. I had set a goal of 10 Bowfin on fly for the year. Well, I got that done and then some so yesterday I was trying to get my 30 th bowfin on fly and get to 50 Bowfin caught on any method of hook and line (fly + spinning + bait caster + jig pole). 
 My son took off for the Black River backwaters. I debated internally about bringing a canoe, but decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. Of course, later I wish I had brought it. 
 First stop was the OG Bowfin Hole which overall was MUCH less productive this year. However, it was the juice on this trip. 
I started out with fly and in just a few casts, I was hooked up. The fly was a home crafted version on the Bass Master fly. It was noms for the bowfin. Ian drug his feet getting started, but was very effective with a 7 inch Power Worm. It pretty fun to double up and have to wrangle two Bowfin into one net. 
We spent less than 90 minutes at the OG. Ian had 6 and had lost another one. I had 2 and lost a third. We were both dying to get to what has been the better spot. So we bailed and made the 20 minute drive over there.

well, we spent 3 hours over there trying to make it work. It did not. I got one bass. Ian got one Bowfin. I broke off on a hookset (I jerked too hard for the 15 lb fluro) and missed some bites. the second area is much larger and we gave it a full try.

We went back to the OGBH to see if we could pick up another fish or two. And Boy did we. The bowfin had re-set or gotten more active or something. I was rerigging and Ian had three solid chances before I got going. He lost one trying to net it. 
i was using a Power Worm alongside him. I got a couple of colored up males and he got a MASSIVE 27 inch female that was just so stout. That big girl was very strong and it was a lengthy fight that I am glad he won.Here’s one of my leopards. I went back to the fly with the @billethead Saltwater Taffy WB. I was hoping for some of the non bowfin that were hitting my worm, but instead got another Bowfin. 
Ian really wanted a 10 Bowfin day, but lost the last good bite he had and had to settle for his third 9 bowfin day of the year. 

I got 32 Bowfin in the fly for the year and a total of 47 on hook and line.
We ended up catching 14 bowfin on the day. Wonderful day to out and about. Saw lots of birds, but very few mammals. 
I hope the Bowfin over winter great and I look forward to fishing for them next Spring. 

[FishnDave]

27 minutes ago, Ham said:

Wow! Love the markings on this one!  Don't show the scientists...they'll figure out you've got a NEW SPECIES there!  Or...snakehead x bowfin hybrid!  😁

Congratulations on exceeding your Bowfin-on-Fly goal!

[jdmidwest]

I used to work hard to avoid the Grinnel at Duck Creek.  Never knew there are those that target them specifically.

I lost a good set of lip grippers on Pickwick tailwater trying to get one off the hooks of a bait I was using.  It was over 2' long and gave a big flip, wrenched my wrist and I lost the grip on everything.  And off it went with the grippers in his jaws and my bait too.

[Ham]

9 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

I used to work hard to avoid the Grinnel at Duck Creek.  Never knew there are those that target them specifically.

Growing up fishing the swamps of south Louisiana, If we caught two in an area, my Dad would change locations. I always loved the pull, but hated how they destroyed lures and trying to unhook them without getting hurt. 
As the years went by without catching one, I started really missing them.

now that I can reliably target them, I’m all about it especially with a fly rod. They are probably my favorite fly rod target. If Redfish, Tarpon, or snook were closer, it might be different. 

[jdmidwest]

9 minutes ago, Ham said:

Growing up fishing the swamps of south Louisiana, If we caught two in an area, my Dad would change locations. I always loved the pull, but hated how they destroyed lures and trying to unhook them without getting hurt. 
As the years went by without catching one, I started really missing them.

now that I can reliably target them, I’m all about it especially with a fly rod. They are probably my favorite fly rod target. If Redfish, Tarpon, or snook were closer, it might be different. 

Did you ever eat one?

[Ham]

Bowfin are too precious to eat. 😆

Ive never been hungry enough to try one. I do enjoy eating Snakehead though.