180 degrees

Hi folks, Guided with my boat yesterday morning with spin gear and then in the afternoon I took a large party fly fishing on the highest brook trout pond in the state.  Beautiful conditions yesterday morning for surface fishing with the surface temperature at 73 degrees and overcast skies and no wind.  We pounded a lot of water and kept the boat moving.  With spin gear and a variety of poppers we were able to land 8 smallmouth bass, but no large fish.  We missed another 12 fish with several larger fish not being hooked who came to eat off the top.  No pattern to the fishing yesterday morning as the fish seemed to be fairly dispersed throughout the lake. We tried a a wide variety of tackle including jigs and the surface plugs were the winner.  The most consistent color was fire tiger and a brightly colored perch plug.  Large fish do not always show themselves and when given the opportunity it is important to have your focus and make the connection.  I think a lot of times people do gauge how good the fishing is based on how many fish come to their lure or fly.  I cannot hook the fish for you and 20 opportunities on any given day is good fishing, especially with a surface bite.  Been pretty muggy around here the last couple of days and the hike to the pond in the afternoon was a sweaty affair.  Still nice and calm on top of the mountain and the surface temperature was 58 degrees.  Real tannin colored pond due to the surrounding organic matter.  Dark water, but clear.  We just worked around the perimeter of the pond and cast large terrestrial patterns.  We did find a few rising fish, though I have no idea what they were eating.  We had 6 takes off the top within a few feet of shore.  The Littoral zone is always the place to explore on a pond.  It is where a good percentage of the life lives.  Nice experience and a good change of pace for me.  Off to guide a fly trip today.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy