Saturday, May 29, 2010

sight fishing

Hi folks, Guided an all day trip yesterday with my motorboat.  Fly fished up north on a large pond/lake for smallmouth, largemouth, and northern pike.  Fine day to be on the water with water temperatures in the high sixties and air temperatures creeping up to 80 degrees.  Another sunny day with a slight north breeze and extremely clear water.  We found some spawning bass that we left alone.  You could see them on the beds.  Instead we targeted cruising fish that we spotted all day long.  I bet we saw well over a 100 fish if not more.  Most of the fish were moving along the first drop off from the shoreline.  At the edges of weed beds that combined with a hard bottom.  Nice vantage point from boat for sight fishing.  We did change flies but once yesterday and that was to switch from a traditional popper used in the morning to saltwater crease flies for once it got a bit bright out.  We were on the water at 5:30am.  We landed well over 20 bass in the 12" to 17" range and they all ate off the surface.  Also messed with a few northern pike that seemed to materialize out of no where when they wanted to eat.  Long flourocarbon leaders helped and long casting put the flies away from the boat.  If we could see the fish, there were certain times where they could see us.  Great fun watching a big smallmouth smash a surface presentation.  Patience is required in setting the hook.  Will be guiding trout all weekend..  Hopefully we will get some rain and it will cool off.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy