Fiberglass Fun

I am finally joining in on all of the fiberglass fun. With my recent win of an Abel Reel in an F3T photo contest, I needed a rod to go with the satin blue colored reel. I am one for things to look good, and a blue reel wasn't the easiest reel to pair with.

At first, I thought about all the beautifully colored fiberglass rods from Swift Fly Fishing, and Blue Halo...and then I started looking at the price. I just couldn't do it. Then it hit me, duh, how about those yellow Eagle Claw Featherweight fiberglass rods. It's a match!

Now I'm just waiting for the blue line I ordered from Shadow Fly Fishing, and then I can take it out on an outing. Looking forward to it!

Hoo Rag

I won another contest!

3 weeks ago, I entered another contest on Instagram on Hoo Rag's page. This one was simple, because, I was only needed to comment on the photo. They chose 4 people to win, and yours truly was one of them. Hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing. This is borderline ridiculous. The winners got to choose which Hoo Rag they wanted.

I received my Hoo Rag the same day I decided to make another appearance at the warm water discharge to get my fishy fix in.

That guy hates me so much.

Upon arrival at the WWD, I was surprised to see I was the only person there, but that was short lived. The kid/teen in the background showed up, and he is notoriously annoying to all of the fishermen that fish the discharge. I had a few encounters with him last year, but he didn't recognize me with my new Hoo Rag on. My superior skills in annoying certain people proved to be too much for him, once again. I win!

I fished for 15-20 minutes, caught a few bluegill, took a few pictures, and beat a pest at his own game. I'd say that was a successful outing.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is right around the corner, and I am excited! I decided to start cleaning up and organizing my boxes, prepping them to be messed up all over again after the first 2 outings.

I really wish tacky built a fly box for a bass angler. I am starting to really dislike seeing this recurring issue. How about you? What kinds of fly boxes do you recommend for bass flies?

While I was going through all of my flies, I took notice and made a separate pile for flies that I did not tie. Other than most of my trout dry flies, these are the only other flies, that I don't tie, but love to fish. Those Todd's Wiggle Worms drive bass absolutely insane...and the Boogle Eye Poppers...how could you not love those top water flies. Great quality and they have a great popping action for bass and panfish.

Anyone else use those 2 flies, and love them??

Warm Water Discharge

With the temperature in the high 30's, again. I just had to wet a line, so, I went to the only place that I knew would have open water. It's a place we refer to around here as the WWD (Warm Water Discharge). The water never freezes there, and all of the fish congregate to the area....bluegill, crappie, bass, huge shad, carp, goldfish, and musky.

While the fish are clearly visible with a good set of polorized sunglasses, they are not incredibly easy to catch, to me anyway. I have a friend Geo who is an excellent angler and the big fish always seem to find the end of his line. Check him out on Instagram - GEOFISHING 

I did manage to hook up with a bluegill before moving to a part of the WWD that I have never fished before.

Whoa! I caught a heart shaped bluegill, just in time for Valentines Day! My GF is surly going to love this freak of nature. :)

After moving to a part of the discharge I have never fished. I finally got a solid hook up!!!! It was like I was stuck to a log....and it turns out I was. Oh well. I absolutely hate when this happens, and I try my best to retrieve the line and lure. I could care less about the jig, but I don't like leaving line out there, but sometimes you really don't have a choice. It unfortunate.

But if it's line left in a place that reachable, like the ground, I pick it up, and stuff it in a pocket. I hate seeing pictures of birds and other animals caught up by these lines that are just left out there. I mean really, is it that hard to take back with you? Apparently, it is, and I wish I could give them a swift kick in the ass for not picking it up themselves.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Tenkara Fly

It gets boring tying the same thing over and over. So, I decided that it was time I try to tie myself a Tenkara fly. I've been following a few people through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter that post a few things about Tenkara. The person that most inspired me to tie up a Tenkara style fly was a fellow Blogger Mr. Troutrageous!

Size 14 hook, a feather - I didn't look up what type of feather to use, so, I used a small grizzly hackle, hackle clip, and some thread.

While very simple to tie, this fly looks extremely effective for a number of species. The bluegill and small bass at a few of my local ponds and small creeks would kill this fly, especially, in the evening when the mosquito's hatch. I'll just have to toss this with my 3wt until I decide it's time for a Tenkara rod.

Ice Fishing

As I was wandering through Cabela's killing time, and looking at a bunch of hooks, I came across some very small jigs that looked perfect for ice fishing. The hooks were 1/100 oz, and they had a clean hook shank to work with. 

1.  I tie on some marabou for a tail (Do not cut off the excess.)
2. Add some crystal flash for an attractor.
3. Wrap the excess marabou around the rest of the hook shank.
4.  Whip finish.

Done.

I am going to give ice fishing another shot this winter.

Small Fish

I don't always catch big fish. Here are some honorable mentions. You gotta give the little guys some love, so, they can grow up to be big.

Catch and Release.

Streamside Furled leader

Right before winter last year, I purchased a furled leader from Streamside Furled Leaders at the Early Show hosted by the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance.

Having never heard of furled leaders I was intrigued by this. I purchased one for my 3 wt rod, for when I'm fishing for bluegills.

What a great product! I don't really worry about my leader when I'm fishing for panfish or bass, so, this product was perfect.

The leader attaches with the loop to loop connection, then just tie on a 3 foot (or whatever you like) piece of tippet to the small ring at the end, and you're in business.

I haven't taken it off my 3 wt at all this season, and I'm pretty sure I will leave it on until I'll need a replacement. 

Oh, how I've missed you!

Went fishing with 2 of my buddies to a lake that they frequent one evening. They were both tossing frogs and wacky rigged worms. After 15 minutes of casting some medium sized flies to entice some bass, I switched to a small fly that I knew would catch some bluegill. I've been neglecting the panfish as of late, so, the switch was refreshing. I almost forgot how much I enjoyed catching those buggers!

Missed these feisty little fish!

Took advantage of the colors in the sky to capture this badass shot of my buddy FatGordo.

Who doesn't love a nice sunset shot.

Badaxe Design

Stopped by one of my local fly shops - Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters - just to look around and kill some time. Sure enough I walked out with a few items...hooks, forceps (mine were bent out of shape), and a zinger for my Abel nippers.

I also, was surprised to see that they carried a few items from Badaxe Design. Jonathan is a real cool dude, who has some serious artistic talent. I ended up picking up the same hat I bought from him a year ago. It will serve as my back up, in case something happens to my favorite fishing hat.

I've had the first one for over a year now, and it has seen a lot of water. This hat's been through everything, and it's gotten quite a bit of character along the way.

How can you not like the patriot trout design!?!

I don't think I have to tell you which one is which.

Here are some of the outings it has helped me look good.

Small creeks of Illinois

Current River in Missouri

Driftless Area trout streams in Wisconsin

Various lakes of Illinois

Flambeau River in Wisconsin

Gulf of Mexico in Fort Meyers, Florida

Looking forward to bringing it along on many more fishing adventures.

Huge Relief!

I haven't been able to find my 5 wt reel for 3 weeks now, and I have been going absolutely bonkers! I even skipped out on fishing for northern pike this past Saturday to tear apart my truck, and home in search of my beloved reel. (My 5 wt is my goto setup)

It's been found!!!!!

I look a heck of a lot happier than this.

Turns out I left it my mothers truck the one day I borrowed it from her. The one place I never ever would have thought to look. Cannot wait to begin casting medium sized poppers for bass, again! Those bass I missed with the frog lures and big frog flies have no idea what's coming...or maybe they do, because, I caught them last year. Oh, well. HA!

The bluegill

Far too many people over look the bluegill, and think of it as an annoying fish...

I can guarantee when those same people started out fishing, one of their first fish was a bluegill.

Next time you catch a bluegill, take a closer look at it, and you will find an array of colors revealing a beautiful fish. A fish that's always willing to bite, and save the day of a skunk.

Love is in the air

Love is definitely in the air. I floated the lake I have so much hate for, for 6 hours.

The weeds have taken over a very well known popular area for kayaks and boats. Now I know what you're thinking, that has top water written all over it. Indeed it does, but stupid me left all of my top water flies and frog lures at home. D'oh!!!

I chucked a size 6 black/red/silver gotcha fly with my custom FSA 3 wt rod, and was able to hook up with several dink LMB and bluegill in the shallows.

On my spinning set up, I tossed a weightless fluke, and enticed 2 very nice sized bass, but 1 spit the bait before the hook set, and the other...I just flat out lost to a couple head shakes. It's been awhile since I tossed a fluke, and forgot how much I loved the action on it, when weightless.

The carp were all over the middle of the North pool gettin' down and dirty with one another. I floated right past a bunch of them, through the chocolate milk colored water they had made. It was quite humorous.

All in all it was a beautiful day to be on the water. Regardless of the missed fish, I am just loving being on the water, and being able to paddle around.

Party until you're blue in the face!

I stopped by my local honey hole to see if the big bluegill wanted to play. Casted a small boogle popper with my custom FSA 3 wt, and the bluegill did not disappoint. They accepted my blue popping invitation with excitement, jumping out of the water with each delivery. Every cast was greeted with as much excitement as the last. It was a fun 30 minutes.

Taking more than they can handle.

All jacked up on mountain dew, and came at me like a spider monkey, but I was ready. I came in first, and he came in last.

The Fuzz showed up forcing everyone to dip.

I even made a new friend. There's no doubt his kung-fu will grow strong, and he will enjoy plenty of pizza.

Turtle planking...this little dude is on some next level shit. Look at that focus...and the form...perfection.

Yak Bass

Finally - I found a bass at the lake I have a love/hate relationship with.

Got out early to beat the storms that were in the forecast. With some tips I received from my buddy Geo over at Geo Fishing on Facebook, I headed toward an area he had success in the day before. I brought both my fly rod, and spinning rod. I was casting a double willow spinner bait along the edges of the weed beds, and what do ya know...I hook up with my first largemouth bass on the new kayak. It was also my first decent bass of the year. I was stoked!

Not the biggest of bass, but that doesn't matter to me.

I had a few misses later on before calling it a day. On my way back to the boat launch it seemed the fishing was starting to pick up, because, I saw a few guys fishing from shore hook up multiple times with bass tossing spinner baits.

Catch - Photo - Release

Slowly but surly I am starting to figure this lake out.

I am also starting to really need/want an anchor trolley on my kayak, but I need to hold off, because, there is a possibility of me upgrading to a Hobie. Negotiations are in the happening as I type.

I hate it, but not really....

Is there a body of water that you absolutely hate, but can't seem to stay away from?

Well, Busse Lake is that place for me. It's a large body of water that offers a variety of species.  An angler can catch bluegill, crappie, carp, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and musky...and it's only been 10 to 25 minutes from me for the past 15 years, so, what's not to like!

2005

I have yet to hook something huge at Busse, and my visits to the lake have decreased throughout the years. I was proud of myself for only fishing there 5 times last year. It was a challenge, because, every week I would read reports on a local fishing forum of guys consistently killing it over here, catching huge bass, keeper walleye, and musky!

Fast forward to my heavier days a few years later. One of the first fish I caught on the fly.

Now that I have a kayak, I can now fish off the beaten path that is usually crowded. I can get to those places that I could only see from a distance. This is the year that I make Busse Lake my bitch!

After work today, I headed on over to the lake. As I was unloading a guy was just finishing up his day on the water from his kayak. He told me he landed a 30" musky on a night crawler. Awesome - I brought my 9 wt and musky flies :) 

4/0 single.

Beefcake

I floated around and tossed the usual musky meat. I hooked up with a few downed trees, but no fish. Paddled around some more. Saw some activity near some downed trees, so, I slowly and silently made my way to what looked like baitfish trying to get away from something. I casted. Thump. I could feel something with significant size on the other end...could this be?!?! Then as fast as it happened, the line went slack. I felt broken. I made more than a few casts back into the area, but there was nothing. Could that have been a Busski (Musky from Busse)!! I'll never know....

Crotch Shot!

Finished the day skunked for the 3rd time in the past 2 weeks at Busse.

Sunset.

GAR

A late post, but it's all good.

After I left Fort Meyers, I spent the remainder of my Florida vacation in Orlando. The hotel I stayed at had a big lake with kayak and 2 person pontoon rentals, but I only had 1 free day to do what I wanted while I was there. 

I was able to take advantage of the lake, and rented a 2 person pontoon (I should have taken a picture of it, because, it was pretty damn cool). My girlfriend and I just cruised around the lake as I fished. I was able to hook up with some small largemouth bass tossing some bait fish patterns with my 5 wt. I was hoping to find some big Florida bass, but they didn't want to come out and play.

These swamp donkeys loved my bait fish patterns.

After returning the pontoon, I fished from the pier. I was catching some more swamp donkeys, when I noticed something big cruising along the surface in the almost crystal clear water...it was a gar! (A Florida Gar to be exact.) I got excited, and made a perfect cast past the toothy fish....strip...strip...strip...across it's face and I paused...that gar had a face full of fur, and it was GAME ON! It was an awesome fight and definitely pushed my 5 wt beyond what it's used to. My one worry during the battle was my 9 lb tippet....it held. I was ecstatic! My first gar on the fly.

There was no one around to take a picture, and this was the best I could do. *sad face*

10 minutes after releasing the gar, I saw an even bigger one cruising. This one had about 1 foot and a few more pounds than the one I caught. Again, I made a perfect cast...strip...strip...strip...the gar turned and caught the back of the fly...strip...strip...strip...as the gar made a second attempt to demolish my fly, a huge bowfin came out of no where and went at the gar, scaring it off. My knees were shaking...this thing was big. The bowfin then took a look at my I gave it a few strips, and it followed...then it just slowly sank into the depths. Gasp.

That fish would have definitely tested all of the backbone my Orvis Access 5 wt had. 

When I was done fishing I saw the species list for the lake, and there was a fish on there that I would have absolutely loved to have hooked up with....an alligator gar. If I only had more free time.

New toy!

Pulled the trigger on a new (used) toy.

I am no longer anchored to the shore!

It's an Ascend FS12T. It's a 12 foot, sit on top kayak, with 2 flush mount rod holders, a terrible placed forward rod holder.

I took it out this morning an hour after picking it up. It was a very windy day, so, I left my fly rod in the truck, and brought my spinning and bait casting set ups.

No fish were caught, but it was a treat to be out on the water in my own vessel. I am very excited that I now have the capability to explore the places I like to fish, without, the restrictions of the shoreline.

After my first short outing, I have 2 issues...
1. The 2 hatches do not seal water tight, and a little water gets is able to get into the hull. They do not have any lining to them. I have been told marine goop will fix that no problem.

2. Some forgetfulness on both my part, and the guy who sold the yak to me (used)....No scupper plugs. I sat in water the entire time. Didn't even notice until I got up and out of the yak. Anyone have any suggestions on some good scupper plugs?

All advice, tips, tricks, websites, and knowledge are always welcome, and appreciated!
Thank you, all, in advance!!