You can tell when Marlon gets tired/hot - he broke out the secret technique he and Noe perfected two years ago - handlining.
There was a bug fuss in the community last fall centered on getting rid of the lily pads. They are definitely pared back this year, but I think to the enjoyment of some residents, there are still some lily pads around.
Fun day fishing!!! Thanks Marlon!
The buttercups were is full bloom - nice diversion from casting.
At the dam, it took a few fanning casts to find my groove but when I did... BAM!!!! I was catching a different crappie nearly every cast for about a good 15 minutes straight. This largemouth got a bit jealous of all the action and took a turn at the tug'o war line. To ensure I am rotating the stock sufficiently, I am making sure to use a different rod each time I head out - this should also help me get my casting dialed in. Switching up the rods, lines and leader length will force me to adapt my stroke. On Thursday, I was using the Scott F2 6533 - it didn't take long for me to remember I really like casting this rod (and I think I will be repeating that statement with each change of rod). I lined up the rod with a RIO Gold WF3. The drill became cast a ostrich herl bead chain nymph out parallel to the dam rocks, strip in slow, watch for the slab flash, gently set the hook and bring in a feisty crappie. AWESOME fishing day!
Marlon and I ended up catching the same bluegill three times over. We knew it was the same one because it was pretty beat up - the bluegill apparently start kicking the crap out of each other this time of year to see which of them gets to make a nest in the 'cool dude' area. It is springtime and love is in the air (and in the lake).
I checked the water temperature today - 54 degrees. We chummed the water with bread to see if the bluegills wanted to come out and wrestle - but no takers. Maybe a few more degrees and they'll jump in the ring! After she shanghai'ed my rod/reel last time, I bought Noe a new reel to go with her current rod. Lined that up with 4# Stren and she is good to go. Now we just need some fish...
A session at 4 Mile Run casting the Eagle Claw Featherlight 6'6" 4/5wt 2 piece (with a WF5F SA GPX) and a Kabuto 7033 (lined with a WF4F SA Mastery Trout). I got a 5 inch bluegill with the Featherlight - the rod casts really well for a $30 piece of kit. This is one of those rods that will live in the back of your truck and everytime you pass a body of water, you will be compelled to stop and cast a line just because. Next I cast the Kabuto. Mind you this is nearly a $700 rod (from Hokkaido) - and it cast very crisply - it actually felt alive. Oh so svelt!!! I truly enjoyed casting this rod (on loan from "The Fiberglass Manifesto" rod loan program) and an 8" bluegill was just icing on top of that casting cake. So - a nice session with representatives from both ends of the spectrum (although bamboo costs way more, there aren't many more fiberglass rods that cost this much - but oh my, it is worth every penny!!!). I think I'll go fishing tomorrow morning with the Kabuto.... Not having cast the two side by side, as good as the Kabuto is, I think the Barclay casts slightly better (although the finish on the Kabuto sheds water better - I have noticed after several casting cycles, the flyline will tend to "stick" on the smoother Barclay surface - nothing a little shake can't take care of).
