Warm water Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bluegills, Smallmouth, Largemouth and more.

Foam smallmouth and bass fly pattern.

2012-02-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

Gurglers for sale! I sold the bejeezus out of flies in 2007 but for some reason, it's a bit slow. Maybe I'm starting too soon (it's still winter . . . right??), lol - warm snap and all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250998810752?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1202

I'm still learning how to adjust the camera on my new phone. I took about 10 photos, arrrgh.

Tying smallmouth fly patterns today.

2012-02-17T12:40:00.001-08:00

My first gurgler in ages.

Foam smallmouth and bluegill fly pattern for sale - ebay.

2012-02-16T13:18:00.001-08:00

I have another set of Los Alamos Ants for sale on ebay. Pretty productive pattern. You can drift it or pop it. I caught several smallmouth and a bunch of bluegills on this pattern last year and the year before. It's new to me. I didn't originate the pattern but have been surprised at it's effectiveness. Especially during the fall.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250997873008#ht_500wt_1202

Tom Nixon Quiz winners.

2012-02-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Crumbs!! I forgot to mail those flies out to you guys that won the quiz. Bill, I did get your flies and they look awesome. Can't wait to use them. Oddly enough, the yellow gnat looks almost just like a fly someone sent me about 7 years ago. I lost it year before last but it was VERY productive.

I've got to make an ebay run to the Post Office and I should have everyones stuff sent out. I am still looking for a box with certain proportions to send out a phone I sold.

I did sell some flies. Those blue and black hoppers that I caught some smallies on last year.

Again, sorry to forget you guys.

Foam bass and panfish fly pattern. Hula Frog.

2012-02-11T06:50:00.001-08:00

This isn't my original fly pattern. I'm tying this in hopes of catching some largemouth bass this spring. Everyone knows to cast this around stumps, logs and lily pads. If gas prices do become too high, I'm gonna have to hit local ponds more often. I love tying with foam and am trying new patterns. This is my fourth attempt at this fly today.

More Los Alamos Ants for sale on ebay

2012-02-11T03:48:00.001-08:00

Not my own pattern but one that is effective.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250993567613?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1202

Tom Nixon's Fly Tying and Fly Fishing for Bass and Panfish is for sale.

2012-02-10T07:28:00.001-08:00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250993022683

A great book from a great pioneer of fly fishing and fly tying for warm water species. Color pictures, tying pictures and recipes.

Smallmouth, LMB, and panfish flies for sale.

2012-02-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

I've got a few more listings on ebay. Nothing fancy. Just some Clousers and bass poppers. I'm gonna list Tom Nixon's Fly Tying and Fly Fishing for Bass and Panfish shortly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250992992804?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_818wt_61

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250993001537?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1202

Trying camera on new phone. Still trying to figure it out.

Smallmouth and Bluegill foam flies for sale on ebay.

2012-02-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

I've got a list of those who answered those questions about Tom Nixon. If you sent me an answer, email me your mailing address. I'll follow up on the back end.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=foam+smallmouth+bluegill+flies&_sacat=0&_odkw=riverwalker74&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

I may even list some Clousers.

Later, Josh.

Testing new droid app. Smallmouth fly pattern.

2012-02-04T04:10:00.001-08:00

Got rid of my Windows phone. Tying up some Clousers. Got about 15 now. I've tied up about 150 flies over the past few weeks.

Just wondering who really likes fly fishing for bass and panfish.

2012-02-03T06:04:00.001-08:00

I get a lot of traffic on this blog. The most important function of this blog is to promote warm water fly fishing.

So, to possibly give someone a little something to learn, I am going to give some flies away. But, you've got to answer a few questions correctly.

I am only going to send a few flies to the first 3 people who do not follow my blog and can answer these questions.

1. Who wrote Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish . . . the author is from Louisiana.

2. Who created the .56er?

3. What does Calcasieu Pigboat mean? The literal meaning.

Send responses to rzrbk804@yahoo.com

Due to high costs, I won't mail internationally unless you pay difference.

I am only sending 3 flies and they are of my choice. You may be surprised or let down but it's all in the name of fun.

Still tying foam flies for bass and bluegills - smallmouth - fly fishing

2012-01-29T06:06:00.000-08:00

I had a look at some of Jay's flies at Fly Fishing Obsessed. It helped me to be creative this morning. I decided to tie up some wasps. I may buy some of that bumble bee foam - maybe Cabela's will have some when it opens. They were supposed to be open by Spring but now the Grand Opening will be this Summer. I can't wait!!! We used to have a Sportsman's Warehouse with $1 flies and some decent fly tying materials. It closed down and an Academy opened down the road from Sportsman's. No fly tying materials but lots of decent flies and fly fishing gear.Anyways, tied up about 8 wasps this morning. I am hoping to refine the pattern a little bit. Maybe if I had some of that bumble bee foam, it could be used at the tail. I don't think the fish will be too picky. Although, those dang bluegills can be pickier than trout. I love the way they come up look at your fly and swim away in disgust to tell the others not to head that way.

As usual, I tried to keep the pattern simple. I've always tried to promote warm water fly fishing and through my efforts, tried to make it simple. A lot of folks are scared away simply by the fly rod and having to learn about insects, drifting, reading a stream, etc. But it doesn't have to be more than just casting into a pond and having a fish slam the fly just as it lands on the surface.

I'm still learning to read streams and locate smallmouth bass. Heck, I'm still trying to draw largemouth bass out from their murky lairs. I still practice drifting and even am learning streams themselves which can differ so much throughout the year.

All I know is that fly fishing keeps my mind busy. As I have always told my superiors or even when interviewing for a position is that I am constantly looking for ways to learn and improve processes and tasks or whatever it is I am doing. Unlocking a stream or part of a stream is awesome. Even if it was just for a season.

Still tying flies. Foam bluegill and foam bass fly.

2012-01-29T03:33:00.001-08:00

I've tied up 100+ foam flies over the past few weeks. Last week, I went out to one of my favorite spots on a stream and it seemed like that even though we are having a warm snap, the fish finally decided to hibernate. The Red Horse, Northern Hog Suckers and bream are still at prey in deep holes but I want me some bass.

I just woke up with my sinuses dried out and my head pounding. And I'm still gonna tie some flies. The family is asleep and I've got to brew some wake-up coffee. It's great to bring MY coffee in to MY man cave, sit down at MY desk and enjoy tying MY flies. I looked at some man cave items at Hobby Loddy to decorate the walls. Yes - I mentioned Hobby Lobby. Lots of cool metal signage and metal dozers, planes and vehicles to place about on shelves and furniture. I've got to find a place to put this electric train my kids no longer play with . . . and it will look good on a mantle or something. The old lady took over my last man cave and made it a guest room. So, this is the last room available. The kids' playroom, lol. Yes, I am sharing space with Legos, Hot Wheels and other toys. Soon, I will be sharing it with a pet bluegill or bass. I've just got to get the aquarium and such stuff.

I tied up this green fly shown above with triangular shaped foam. It's based off the Los Alamos Ant, which you can find in my blog with tying instructions. It's not my own pattern but one I found several years back. I provided the head of the fly with more surface so that it could have a little more pop and gurgle.

I just read Bill Trussel's blog. Nice bass. And it's January, lol. Makes me wanna hit the pond too. I shoulda!!! Oh yeah, I couldn't. The truck is having issues. I did what I could but it's gonna have to go in the shop Monday and have the coils replaced.

Guess I'm stuck tying flies again today. YEAH!!!!!

Foam flies - bass and bluegill - panfish and smallmouth

2012-01-28T04:24:00.000-08:00

I am having the heck of a time with Blogger today. I've lost a few pics on the upload and can't move my pics on the page. Sheesh. I couldn't even upload to Twitpic today.

I love foam flies. This pattern was the first pattern of last year that was quite effective. I remember landing several bass, bluegills and a carp on this fly - all in one hot afternoon. You can drift this fly or pop it. This is a simple pattern and I honestly hate giving instructions. One or two of my pics are gone, so this is what's left.

Email me with any questions. Hopefully, this lame post wont scare folks away. I'm just tired of dealing with lousy devices and sites.

Smallmouth foam flies. Panfish flies. Bluegill flies.

2012-01-24T15:13:00.001-08:00

Tying up a few bass and panfish fly patterns this weekend. I'm gonna post a few pics and may give instructions too.

This is my version of a Catydid. This is obviously good for drifting but the way I designed the head, it should be good to pop and gurgle too.

As much as I love foam flies, I tied up about 50 this weekend.

Creek chub fly fishing

2012-01-07T04:08:00.001-08:00

I was fishing on the headwaters of a stream on which I tried fishing further downstream where the water temps were freezing. USGS water temps noted the headwaters at 50 degrees.

Last year, it was snowing and frigid outside. I didn't care what hit my fly yesterday. I just wanted to get out and land something. I took in some bass, chubs and bream from this spot last week on a spinning rod and popper.

In a way, this trip reminded me of why I started this blog. As a way to help folks new to fly fishing or thinking it was just for trout or salmon - or maybe for the affluent anglers only.

I was reminded because a lady walked by and mentioned it was a good creek to practice fly fishing. I mentioned I was actually pursuing fish and it didn't matter what type. I took in about 15 bream and about 5 creek chubs. Those creek chubs are pretty good fighters. I'll take what I can get in January.

I may even go out for walleye next weekend. A first for me.

Smallmouth Fly Fishing in early Fall. Streamers, bass bugs, etc.

2012-01-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Fish will migrate to deeper water. The smallmouth may be sitting on points. Are they sitting on one spot of the point of the whole stretch? Think about rock, woods and points such as you would on a lake. Look to fish the side with the current. Sometimes, they'll be on the edge or backside of the point.

Smallmouth bass think they are all monsters. Even the small ones.

When fishing smaller streams, look to fish in deep holes and along the edges of grass, weeds, and structure. Same goes for early spring bass. This stuff works for me but I'm far from the best and I don't land giants. I take whatever hits my fly and I am happy with it. I'm always looking for those larger bass and choice wading water.

Smallmouth Fly Fishing in early Spring on the river. Streamers, Popping Bugs, etc.

2012-01-01T10:01:00.001-08:00

Check the water temps in the early Spring. Bass are very temperature oriented. Early Spring smallies and bucketmouths are looking for a place to hang out and hold. So, don't look for riffles and strong currents. Look for them to sit on the edges of the currents - watching for bait fish.

Don't always choose a big profile. Go with something smaller. Slow down your presentation. Setting out, you may have to change different fly patterns and locations.

New Year's Res - Fly fishing for large Bluegills & panfish

2011-12-10T01:40:00.001-08:00

Last year, I challenged myself to land bass regularly. Which did happen every weekend for about 12 consecutive weeks. Sure, every year I go out and target bass but this year took the cake. I went out to find new waters. I drove for hours. I hiked where I may not supposedly should've hiked. I found new locations on Google Earth and even used my phone as a GPS - which couldn't always find a tower.

I enjoyed the outdoors so much this past summer and fall. It was very cathartic just to wet my line and stretch my tight muscles. This big ol' coach potato got a lot of exercise over the past four or so months.

I landed a lot of bass and panfish. Probably about 50 or so bass - small to medium cookie cutter 1 lbs. bass - some large ones too. I took on my fair share of Ozark and Shadow bass with some big ol' bluegills here and there. Some carp and Fall fish hit the foam flies too.

It's not just the fish. Sure, it justifies my manhood and renews my "man-card" every so often. The thing that really motivates my to go outdoors is the water. I don't know what it is about wading streams. I used to live on the edge of Lac La Jeune Provincial Park in British Columbia. I mean, right on the edge. I spent a lot of time hiking on trails and wetting my line for Kamloops Trout. Those are big trout. I shot my fair share of Grouse and Marmots too.

Here in the Ozarks, you've got a fair shot at hitting trails, fishing and hunting. But the one thing that really brings a smile to my face is landing those fat bluegills. Hunting for smallmouth can stress me out but finding and landing panfish comes very easily to me.

In reading Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish by Tom Nixon, I have learned to tie flies specifically designed to target panfish. Should I tell you guys?? Maybe later . . . might keep you coming back for more. Although, you will find some of them with tying instructions on this blog.

So, this next year, I will be wading and taking out the kayak for those tough little fighting bluegill, sunfish, crappie, Ozark bass, Warm Mouth, etc. I may even look for a new 3 wgt. or even a 2 wgt. rod. The ol' 4 wgt. is a good rod but those 3 wgt. rods are exceptional when landing 'gills.

Just throwing this out there before I end this post - I used to become desperate about catching fish and would drift scuds and sowbugs for spotted bass as they basked in the sunny riffles during the afternoon. A slow afternoon requires slow and patient fishing.

Am I going trout fishing this winter? Heck no. I'm gonna tie up some flies for Spring.

Fly fishing for the noobs.

2011-10-19T09:20:00.001-07:00

For those new to fly fishing, it's not as sophisticated as it seems. The magazines promote their wares with great photos of wonderful fish. The truth is, there are anglers that will always out-fish everyone else. There are bait and tackle fisherman that shame me. I have a fishing app that allows folks to post their fish pics. Looking at them, I found that some anglers land fish such as I do. And there are anglers who just kill 'em.

I began this blog because I think that fly fishing has been promoted as a sport for the affluent angler. I believe that for fly shops to survive, they've got to hit that niche of -dare I say- "yuppies".

I buy at fly shops and hit larger chain sporting goods stores too. Don't let it be intimidating. If you can bend your elbow, you can fly fish. Fly fishing isn't just for trout or salmon and it's not A River Runs Through It.

You can fly fish for anything. The best thing to do is keep it simple. Do some research in the web, read some books or wing it at the local pond. I'm a gear minimalist. You don't need all the bells and whistles like the space suit waders. If you need a lanyard, so be it. But starting out, it may be best not to buy all the flies to fill your fly boxes.

Just grab some "all around" flies and get to know a piece of water. I guess it wouldn't hurt to take some basic lessons offered by the local fly shop for casting and tying flies. Joining a local fly fishing club could greatly benefit you too. Let me know if you have any questions about fly fishing.

Smallmouth knowledge . . . well, a little.

2011-10-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

I've been out fly fishing for the past 3 days and haven't caught very many fish. But I still enjoyed going outside and splashing around in the stream. I did locate a few more spots for bass in some pools on the edge of some pretty rough riffles. Water temperatures have been bouncing anywhere from 80 to 55 over the past few weeks. The poor fish even have to deal with a 15 degree warm up in the afternoon. I guess that's October fishing for you.

I rarely fish past May or June. But I will say that this fall has been an absolute treat for me. I have caught between 50 - 80 bass . . . trying to think back and average the count . . . including small bass too. Most were small to medium with a few big ones thrown in here and there. I lost a couple of nice bass too.

This year, I landed most of my bass on Betts Poppers. I took quite a few on my custom foam hoppers. Clousers and crawdads helped to round out those drifting in the current. On the same stream I landed red eye bass, rock bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass and a number of fall fish and panfish. Crappie were taken at a small lake. And I found a budget rod is just as good as a GLoomis fly rod . . . well, almost.

Crawdad, Clousers, hoppers, poppers and various other flies are obvious keys to landing smallmouth. BUT, the most important thing of all is finding a good stream. I used to fish a certain stream near my house throughout the year for about 5 years - for hundreds of times. It was good during the white bass run. From time to time, I landed bass but for the most part, it was panfish. The occassional crappie popped up here and there. The stream ran low in a lot of places. It's mouth wasn't always deep enough for fish to flow easily to and from the lake. It got really hot during the summer too. Some years, it would go through radical changes based on flooding or drought. That creek took it hard from Mother Nature. And I used to get so pissed off at that stream. I even used to question my fly fishing abilities.

I did fish other streams and lakes and did good from time to time. But I never regularly caught bass. One of my fallacies was that I would pull out the small rod and bream flies because I can always land panfish.

So, this year, I found a good stream. One with a healthy population of bass and not too many sunfish. One that did get affected by the drought but not enough to hurt the fish too much. I found that I do have skills to land bass regularly. I also found out that it is an ongoing learning experience.

This reminds me of why I started this blog. It is to help those who are beginning to fly fish. It's meant to try and put things in a tone as to place fly fishing into something folks can relate to instead of looking at it as something from a movie or perhaps a complicated sport.

In a way, I think that warm water fly fishing can help to provide someone with an easy beginning . . . i.e., fishing for bluegills on top. Anyone who can bend his elbow can cast a fly rod.

Learning the riffles. Educated by smallmouth and rain

2011-10-07T04:01:00.001-07:00

I have been fly fishing consistently for about 13 years . . . involved with it for 23 years. I began learning on the lakes of Kamloops, British Columbia. I took tying lessons at a local high school in the evenings and learned how to cast in a hockey rink.

2 decades later and I'm still learning about how to land fish. I have never landed a bass as large as a Kamloops trout but I love smallmouth bass even more. And their awesome fighting cousin the bluegill.

Every year, I bounce around on different streams, lakes and ponds. This year, I hit the same location on the same stream for 10 weeks in a row. One key thing I learned was how important a swift current is for bass fishing on a stream.

I really stumbled on to a good stream. At least a portion that folks don't fish much. I had some success on this stream but things took off after it rained heavily one day. Remember, we had a drought this summer. So, maybe this stream is still not it's usual flow. Obviously, there are other factors to smallmouth fishing but I never was successful at it.

I began fishing this stream after a long day of raining. Well, about a week later. I had a lot of success at first but things have dwindled as the stream has dropped and the riffled slowed. I found a new location with fast running riffles into and through a small pool. It was a pretty successful day. I went out again yesterday, about a week later. The water level had dropped again along with the water temps. Fishing was lousy again.

I tried fishing other spots on the stream without any success. To me, it had to be the water temperatures, the lack of water flow and that it is becoming late fall.

I should have picked up on it. Seeing as how folks would hit streams after it rained. I'm sure there are folks who are good smallmouth fishers throughout the year no matter what.

This was the most successful year I have had catching smallmouth bass, red eye bass, spotted bass and shadow bass. I sure hope that next year this stream will yield the same numbers.

S'more smallmouth and bass.

2011-10-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

Water temps have been steadily dropping. I really didn't figure the smallmouth were going to hit anything on top. Saturday morning it was 41 degrees but it warmed up quickly. Water temps are hovering in the early to mid 50's. I've been using my 9 ft. 8 wgt. for a while now and decided to take out the 7"6' 3 wgt. and try for some panfish. The fish were active for a few hours in the late afternoon. I tied on a Bett's popper and hit the stream running.

I drifted the riffles and let the popper drift a few seconds before stripping the line a bit. I slapped the popping bug on the surface to attract immediate attention. I landed about 10 bass in some swift currents. I did also find a deep hole with a lot of large panfish too.

More specifically, I was casting into the riffles and letting it drift into a pool where the water was still running swiftly. I would pop it once and a bass would hit it or miss it. If the bass missed the fly, it would hit it again - the cork body fly was busted and was drifting a bit under the surface.

I rarely fish in October for smallmouth but I want to figure them out. I have been on those bass like a white on rice. Best year ever.

My father was looking at my Facebook uploads. I guess he wasn't too enthused with a lot of my fish pics. I think he was expecting to find a lot of big bucketmouths. He fishes stocked ponds for largemouth bass. I fish mainly for smallmouth bass. I told him that small to medium streams usually have a lot of small to medium bass with some large ones here and there. It's the big streams that hold good numbers of smallmouth bass.

I'm happy landing 1 pounders and less all day. I enjoy going outside and wading the stream, looking at nature, etc. Mostly, it is the challenge of finding these little buggers. I have fished a lot of new water this year and have been successful. I have gone out fishing for smallmouth 10 out of the last 11 weeks and have landed a good number of bass. Have they been juicy bronzeback smallies?? Well, here and there but I sure have enjoyed topwater action this year.

Nice fall day for smallmouth.

2011-09-23T12:01:00.001-07:00

Went out after we had some torrential rain and a cold snap. I didn't expect to do well. I went out to get some fresh air. Caught a few bass. Nasty currents. Cold water . . . and allergies.

Smallmouth on the Fly. Fly fishing for bass.

2011-09-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

Just sitting here enjoying my coffee with some sort of egg and sausage casserole my wife baked . . . just dwelling on today's highlights. It wasn't a great day. Heck, the water temperature dropped darn near 20 degrees in a week. Fall hit us like that darn drought. Well, I hope it's Fall. I finally strapped on the ol' waders and hit the frigid stream.

Warmed up playing with some sunfish and bream. I crept onto a long stretch of smooth shale with some deep pools, hoping to play some bass with a crawdad I had tied on. I landed a few small bass and lost a decent one too.

As the weather began to warm up and the clouds rolled in from the east, I made my way to the secret spot . . . MY secret spot which nobody will ever find out about . . . ever. For now, he he. With my crawdad pattern, I was using floating line. The leader was short, so I piddled around a deep pool until I lost that darn thing.

So, I tied on a Rainy's Cricket. I got some of these flies from my dad about 4 years ago and have never used them. I landed a few small Ozark bass and a Shadow bass or two. Not much action as the past few weekends on this spot. I decided to make my way back upstream to drift the cricket. But before I left this spot, I slapped it down near the edge of where the deep pool turns shallow and the stream slows down a bit. SLAM! A bass leaped out of the water as it hammered my fly. I pulled back and he jumped back out of the water again. DANG! A beauty. Since I had lost a few big ones recently, I decided to play this fish out. It took about 10 minutes but I think he still wanted to play.

Yup, I was happy. So, I ended up losing that cricket in some rocks across the stream. I decided to put on my sinking line and tie on a chartreuse Clouser. Yep, landed a few more bream and smaller bass.

The wind changed direction and clouds were now coming in from the Northeast. I decided to hike back to the truck, as the wind was getting colder and clouds began to grow and darken.

Trying not to doze off, I sip on my coffee and nibble on my Snackimals . . . just thinking of how much time I have left before Mother Nature brings her chilled reminder of the holidays and it's droll responsibilities.

Flip-Flop Fly comes through again. Bass fly.

2011-09-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

Went out today. The stream was running faster and the bass were moving about in the riffles and backwater. Due to our heat wave, the streams have receded more than usual. The fish were sure enjoying their freedom from the heat and murky waters.

I don't know why but this year has been awesome for me . . . at least in the way of catching bass. One interesting note, I was casting downstream into a swift current and popping my Flip-Flop fly against the flow - back upstream. AND the bass were hitting it. Not only was it a portion of stream that I have never caught bass in but I was using a technique that I figured was odd.

I also hit some backwater on the edge of the stream which was grown up with weeds and grass. Lots of rocks and logs. The water had risen enough for the bass to chase minnows and crawdads into this somewhat shallow retreat. September . . . and I'm still taking lots of bass on top water flies.

Fresh leaders and playing bass.

2011-08-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Nah, I'm not quoting the Goo Goo Dolls. I lost a huge bass today. Either a very large spotted bass or largemouth - at least from what I could see when it leaped out of the water. I cast 3 times in the same spot. A place where cover grew up onto the stream, floating on the edge of the riffles. I just knew something was there. I cast a fourth time onto the weed bed and chugged it into the stream and WHAM!

That bass ran hard with that fly - my Flip-Flop Fly. The same fly I used yesterday catching all those bass . . . and the same line. I didn't put on new line . . . and lost the bass. I tried to wrangle the bass in and didn't put on a fresh leader or line. Two lessons learned. Arrggh. I have got to give some line and play bass. When I get a really big bass on the line, I end up breaking the line - 0X and 1X. Sheesh. Also, I probably need to learn to tie better knots. I lost a nice bass on a deer hair bug . . . I could tell that the knot became untied . . . which has happened several times too.

Though part of the fun is the hunt and the fight. For some reason, it is so disappointing not to land a large bass. Eh, I'll take the smaller ones today.

Flip Flops and Smallmouth Bass

2011-08-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

We had a cold snap last night. The temperature dropped to 58 degrees compared with high 70's to mid 80's. The stream was chilly and I think the fish were a bit sluggish. Action didn't spark up until about noon. Before then I tried hoppers and poppers and crawdads. I had landed only 1 fish. Then I found an area on the stream in which it was a bit rocky with some cover and deep holes. I was casting against the bank and letting my Flip-Flop fly rest for about 5 - 10 seconds and then stripped it once. Those bass were hammering that fly. If the bass missed, it hit it again and again. There wasn't much current . . . not as much as last weekend. The stream had dropped quite a bit. I could see mot of the bass play the fly. It was a nice pool. Cool water and the sun on my back.

I caught about 10 bass and some nice hefty bream. Those fish put up a strong fight. I tried filming some action but it's hard to do with only one hand. I decided to use a foam fly because I was casting against a rocky bank and I had disintegrated a cork popper on a bridge earlier - I tore up my popper on my last trip out too.

Over the years, I've learned that bass fishing can be a game of patience. I used to go out and hammer that water. That's one of the reasons I love bluegills, they are mostly aggressive and active.

One of the ways I catch bass is drifting nymphs to spotted bass. They are smaller and skittish. Sometimes, they school in the riffles or pools and seem smug because they ignore everything you present to them.

Anyways, on to more bass!

Was my fish a "Mean Mouth" bass??

2011-08-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

“Mean-mouth Bass”

Angler interest in the naturally occurring smallmouth bass / spotted bass hybrid has heightened recently due to an article in BASSMASTER magazine concerning the documentation of a new state record in Missouri. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources would like to address this hybrid and its implications to anglers.

A hybrid occurs when one fish species spawns with a different, but closely related species. Hybrids can occur naturally or can also be intentionally produced in a hatchery. Naturally occurring hybrids are common among sunfish species such as bluegill and green sunfish. A common hatchery produced hybrid is the hybrid striped bass (white bass / striped bass). Hybrids of black bass species have been documented in the United States for some time. Early research dealt with hatchery production of a largemouth bass / smallmouth bass hybrid. This was the original “mean-mouth” bass. The largemouth / smallmouth bass hybrid is not common in nature due to differences in both habitat preferences and spawning times. However, smallmouth bass and spotted bass can overlap in habitat use and spawning times. Generally, there are subtle behavioral differences associated with spawning that prevent or minimize hybridization. Although the smallmouth bass / spotted bass hybrid is not the original “mean-mouth” bass, it has acquired this name over time.

The smallmouth / spotted bass hybrid has been found at very low densities in several states including Missouri and Georgia. Kentucky has not documented the presence of this hybrid. This does not mean it doesn’t exist; it just means the Department has not collected any specimens and genetically tested them.
The Department has now begun to examine for the presence of this fish in Kentucky.

A limited number of anglers have been asked to save some fish that they consider to be “mean-mouth” bass. We ask that only these selected anglers provide the fish so that we do not receive more fish than we can process. Collected fish will be sent to a lab for genetic testing.

Most anglers will probably never encounter this hybrid due to its low numbers. An “odd” looking smallmouth or spotted bass may not necessarily be a hybrid. Presently there is no size-limit regulation addressing hybrid black bass; however the six fish creel limit will apply. Wildlife and Boating officers will exercise their discretion when they inspect these fish in angler’s creel. To prevent any problems, anglers should obey the smallmouth bass size limit (the most restrictive) when they catch a “mean-mouth”.

By Jeff Ross Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Bass on the fly!! Wooo Pig Soooie - Hogs on the line!!

2011-08-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna let the pics talk . . . 7 bass today. Some Ozark Bass and bream too. Lots of top water fun.

Smallmouth, Carp on the fly - Ran the gamut.

2011-08-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to go out on a hot day with only one fly, a hopper. But, I figured I'd better take more than one fly, ha. All the fish I landed today were on custom foam flies. The fish were pretty active but it's probably because I was drifting in some swift riffles. The water was pretty comfortable partly because the evenings are cooling off more and recent rains had refreshed the stream.

Surprisingly, I landed a carp on a flip-flop bug. Initially, I went out for bluegills but found a large pool full of carp and suckers. I caught some really small carp too. Flip-flop fly http://purposehere.blogspot.com/2009/06/flip-flop-popping-bug-for-bluegill-and.html

I landed 5 bass but did lose a huge one after pulling a King Kong fly out of his mouth as he headed down into a deep pool after he lunged after it. The Ozark bass were plentiful and gave a good fight. Some bass were clinging to the edge of the shaded stream but some were swimming out into the stream looking for a meal. I was kind of surprised, seeing as it was bright and sunny and the bream were more about looking at my fly than hitting it.

It is definitely hopper time. Snake time too. I saw 5 snakes today. Need to make a snake club.

It's Hopper Time!!! Bass and Bluegill Bonanza.

2011-08-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

Abodonza! Time to feast. There are hundreds of hoppers in my backyard. There weren't very many at all on my last few trips out. Time to tie on a King Kong and slap the water with it! Topwater action is almost as good as pizza and beer . . . or just a nice cold beer after a hot day out fishing.

I am so excited. I keep sticking to ol' reliable, a.k.a. the Clouser. The weather is going to drop to the lower to mid 90's this week. We had a bit of rain Saturday night which make me hope for the best this weekend.

Time to break out the foam patterns, the Chernobyl Ants, the Double Decker Hoppers or whatever sproing-sproing you've got!

I hope these little buggers (lol) stick around for a few more weeks. Once the weather cools down a bit more, I think those dumb ol' bluegills are gonna get hungry.

To me, one of the great highlights of fishing is when that fat bream hits that hopper the instant the fly hits the water - the immediate tug . . . hit after hit after hit.

Time to organize the flies . . . later.

Largies, Smallies and coloring.

2011-08-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

I found this abandoned chair and grill to hide my phone under. I got into some deep holes and got tired of clenching the phone in my mouth. So, I only go a photo of the first of three bass and some nice bream.

What I find interesting is the color of bass you find on a stream. The first bass was dark but it was a Kentucky. The others were bronze. I do believe these are smallmouth . . . though some of the smallmouth I have caught had the typical striping and brownish color. I have caught light colored largemouth, marbled colored largemouth and the typical largemouth with a nice dark striping down the side.

I guess it's the water quality, perhaps breeding . . . heck, I have no idea really but it's interesting to see what you pull out of the water.

I always question myself when it comes to being a fisherman. When scoping out new waters yesterday, I was excited. After waking up, I figured it would be a waste of time to head out up north - so, I hit a local stream. Although, it was a portion of the stream I had never been wading.

I fished three hours and caught 3 bass and several bream. I figure that's pretty darn good. I have to thank Bill Trussell's post on the Rock Wall and fishing during this heat wave. Heck, it never dropped below 85 last night.

I guess you could call me a decent fisherman but when I see folks blogging about all those fish and showing nice photos, it makes me question myself. It hasn't been until recently that I can go out and catch bass almost every trip. I have been fly fishing for a very long time but used to go home frustrated quite often.

After reading, practicing, tying, trying out different patterns, learning how to drift, casting etc., I eventually became more improved and maybe eventually more satisfied.

Bass Fly Pattern - Calcasieu Pigboat - Tom Nixon Fly Pattern

2011-08-04T16:30:00.004-07:00

I do like tying Calcasieu Pigboats but they do take a while longer than the usual bass fly. I guess it's because I am still mastering the placement of the rubber skirt. If you look closely, I used white and chartreuse skirts.

I think a spinner would help with this pattern. Nothing like a spinner bait for the ol' bass. Funny thing - I have never caught a bass on a pigboat.

It is best to use an 8 wgt. rod when casting this fly. However, I have received small Pigboats in a fly swap which could've been cast with a 5 wgt. rod. Now that I think about it, I did catch some 'gils on a small pigboat.

I think this is an 1/0 or size 2 hook?? Can't remember. I gave all my Pigboats away . . . other than the one I kept from a purchase at Sportsman's Warehouse. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a Pigboat for sale.

Lil' Popper. Bass Fly Pattern - Bluegill Fly Pattern

2011-08-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

This fly was tied about 7 years ago. I can't remember how I tied this pattern but it is obviously very simple. The body is made of cylinder foam. I tied it on at the base and used glue to keep it from rotating. This is a small hook. Though, I don't remember the size. And, I do remember using this fly for quite some time.

I like using foam body poppers because they hold up better over time. At least the body will hold up better than those Bett's poppers after hitting a log or rock. Plus, you can tie up a bunch of these things for cheap!!

Bass Fly Pattern - Tom Nixon Fly Pattern

2011-08-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

Materials:

- 6 gauge stainless steel or bright music wire
- #14 brass barrel swivels
- light weight beads 1/8" in diameter in various colors
- #3 or #4 Indiana spinner blade
- size 6 or 8 Mustad #3366 hook or equal
- chartreuse, white, or black yarn for body
- copper wire for ribbing
- calf tail or soft hackle in color coordinated to yarn

Instructions:

1) Cut a section of wire about 3 inches, you need only about half of that, the rest makes it easier to work with.
2) Tie the feather or calf tail on the hook as normal.
3) Fasten the hook to the wire shaft by forming an eye on the wire. Cinch off the eye with three turns of wire, then trim.
4) Tie in thread on the harness wire, tie in the copper wire. Tie in yarn or begin dubbing at the end of the wire near the hook.
5) Bring the yarn or dubbing forward up about an inch, then spiral the copper wire forward to that point. Tie off the yarn and copper wire, and secure with knot.
6) slide 3 beads down the wire, then the spinner, then a single bead.
7) Create an eye on the last segment of the harness wire, by doubling back and wrapping around the shaft 3 times, then trimming. Make sure you leave enough room on the shaft for the beads to slide a little.

I have never used this pattern but I like to promote warmwater fly fishing and Tom Nixon's patterns. I have his book "Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish" which is very informative and has great color photos. I have to thank Mark Delaney, who was a member of Tom's fly fishing club. He and some other folks made Tom and his patterns known to me.

smallmouth fly - Clouser mending

2011-07-31T08:13:00.001-07:00

Call me superstitious but I have the most luck with those Clousers that have stainless steel red eyes. I bought these a few years back and tore up the bass on the Illinois River. I have had the heck of a time finding them because The Sportsman's Warehouse went out of business. Academy has Clousers but with bead chain or painted on lead eyes.

Cabela's is opening soon. Maybe they'll have what I am looking for. I mended this fly. Instead of bucktail, I utilized craft feather from Hobby Lobby. Anything to save a few bucks on flies.

I am looking forward to some more rain and fall weather - already scoped out a couple of new places on the Elk River.

Smallmouth Flies - Bluegill Flies

2011-07-31T08:03:00.001-07:00

This drought is killing all the streams - drying them up or choking them with algae blooms. Some of the local lakes and ponds are fishable but it's just too darn hot and fishing is too dang slow. A few weeks ago, I had to count until 10 or 15 just for a fish to hit my popping bug.

I decided to tie up some flies that I had some success with earlier this spring, Crazy Charlies. I like streamer patterns. I like Clousers but with a little more variation from time to time. Some of the streams I fish are small and I like to use patterns that both bass and panfish will take. Since I am a gear minimalist, I will take only floating line, therefore, I need some sinking flies.

Honestly, I was bored this morning. I wanted to hit the local pond but we had a big rain last night which stirred up the mud and debris. I always like to tie up patterns and try them out. It's neat finding out what may be successful.

Clouser Fun

2011-07-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

Fished 4 hours and landed 7 bass. Good day out. Better than yesterday. Gonna be 100 today. I already got a bit too much sun this morning. I did see a croc with a beer, lol. Hoping to land some largemouth on the ol' bass bug soon. Still searching for those big bass. This year hasn't been too bad for fishing. Gets better every year.

July Crappie on the Fly

2011-07-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

It's July in Arkansas. You know it's hot. I know the water is turning - dirty and developing algae. Yet, I am landing crappie on a popping bug . . . in at least 4 feet of water. Don't know what to think other than it's awesome.

Not much action with bass lately but a lot of bream. I will have to say that the budget fly rod I bought at Bass Pro shops which is a Bugger brand 8 wgt., does have good sensitivity. I cannot wait until August or September for increased top-water bass action.

Does anyone have any strategy suggestions for fishing cat tails? It seems the bass just don't wanna come out and play.

Bass Swirls

2011-06-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

This morning, I was playing to a bass that was making swirls at my fly. I have noticed this before but haven't really thought much of it. I did land the bass but I wondered why he swirled at the fly. Is he sucking and spitting really fast, is he slashing at it??

The bass swirled at my fly once. I then cast to another spot and landed a few bream. I cast back and he swirled at it twice before taking it. He did swirl at it each time I popped the fly. So, I guess it pays to play to the swirl.

One lesson from this to my readers, let your bass bug sit and take your time bringing it in. When I cast a popping bug, I usually wait about 3 to 5 seconds before tugging. It usually pays off by waiting.

Today's highlight, landing a 3 lbs. bass on a yellow Betts' Popper.

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.

2011-06-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a long trip in Texas. I had the opportunity to fish on the Guadalupe River for bass . . . I even scoped out a few spots on the Comal River. Alas, I decided to spend time relaxing and hanging out with the family. I figured that by fishing, I would probably end up dwelling on it and spending the majority of my time trying to fit it in here and there.

The Guadalupe and Comal rivers are absolutely beautiful. It was nice to see bass flies at Gruene River Outfitters. I only bought a few spinners and an 8 wgt. at Bass Pro Shops but I will say that next time I end up in New Braunfels, I will be fishing. Heck, I even scouted a few places in Austin.

I am hoping to make it out to the stream in a day or so. All the flooding this year has really thrown me off my routine.

Lack of motivation, flooding and tornadoes.

2011-05-23T06:28:00.001-07:00

Man, it has been a wet spring here in Arkansas. So much flooding. So much rain. Seems constant. Just about every weekend or just before I think about heading out, the clouds pummel us. All streams and lake are swollen.

I watched the weather radar for 5 hours last night - even stepping outside to watch the sky churn, hoping a twister wouldn't drop out. About an hour north, as most may already know, a tornado hit Joplin. My prayers go out.

More severe weather is expected this evening . . . and the next. At least I can hear the tornado sirens.

Last year, I was targeting bass. I didn't catch a lot of bass but I did pretty good. This year, I planned to target panfish. And I did just that . . . landing a bunch of bream and crappie this spring. So, I am not too motivated to go out. Except to hit a stream before it get July hot. And that is IF the streams start flowing a bit slower.

Ugly Weather.

2011-04-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

I took this photo yesterday on the way to the store. Lots of bad weather lately. Too windy some days, too rainy others . . . severe weather and weekends are friends lately. Hoping to so some fishing soon. Go away tornadoes and low pressure systems.

Fly Fishing for Crappie . . . my stuff

2011-04-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

Manufacturers sell lures that attract fisherman. Sure, you can catch fish with them too. Some folks seem to think color comes into play . . . and it does. However, I am beginning to think that color may be just another advantage to land something that very well may tag your fly at most anytime.

I am sure that structure helps when targeting crappie. I do also believe that those tubes and jigs help attract panfish. BUT, I also believe that . . . and this is obvious, you can catch crappie anytime you want . . . GIVEN THE PROPER SETTING . . . structure, water temps, etc.

Spring time is as good as any to hit these puppies . . . and I always do well on Clousers. Chartruese and white. Pink and chartruese and brown and yellow . . . tied to sinking line. I was landing some today on a Bett's Popper using sinking line - the fly was below water and fish were still hitting it.

I was foul hooking them and catching them as I repositioned my kayak . . . ahhh, today was awesome. If you are looking to be successful when fly fishing for crappie, I would suggest early Spring. Use minnow patterns and strip your line in slow to medium pace. They do tend to soft strike but they can also hammer the heck out of the fly too.

They are a good fight on a 3 wgt. and 5 wgt. And as today, they fought well on an 8 wgt. I hooked my biggest slab ever but did not boat it. I figured it for a large bass. I would say it was at least 3 lbs. YUMMY! It was pretty.

I fished some structure but did better along one side of the bank - picking up singles, not really hitting a school. If it wasn't for the wind picking up, I figure instead of landing 10 crappie, it may have been 20.

One of my best outings for crappie . . . and large bream. Just a thought - here I am tying all these flies and I am still mosty using store bought flies, lol.

Nice slab - will post more pics and stuff later.

2011-04-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Nuff said . . . good day out. Will post info later.

Tom Nixon - Fly Tying and Fly Fishing for Bass and Panfish

2011-03-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Below, you will find a link to the 3rd ed. of "Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish" by Tom Nixon. The ebay seller is listed as Tom Nixon jr., which very well may be the case . . . based on it's a local publisher and I think Tom was pushing these before his death. At least, that's what some of the folks I used to swap flies with were mentioning - as some were members of the same fly club as Tom.

I just want to promote a book that helped me establish some patterns for warm water species. Some of them are Tom's patterns and some are custom/variants. There are detailed diagrams and steps - I have the 1st or 2nd edition . . . color photos and all. I do think he was a pioneer, granted he's not Henschall nor invented the Peckinpaugh Popper.

But he did design the .56%er and Calcasieu Pigboat . . . among others.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260679633311&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

Crappie on the fly . . . again. sac au lait, strawberry bass.

2011-03-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

The genus name Pomoxis derives from the Greek πώμα (cover, plug, operculum) and οξύς (sharp). The common name (also spelled croppie or crappé), derives from the Canadian French crapet, which refers to many different fishes of the family Centrarchidae.

Other names for crappie are papermouths, strawberry bass, speckled bass or specks (especially in Michigan, speckled perch, calico bass (throughout New England),[8] sac-au-lait (in southern Louisiana, lit "bag of milk")[9] and Oswego bass.[citation needed]

Man!!! I have got to find a good school of large crappie!! Need to fry up some slabs, hmmmm.

Crazy Charlie - Panfish on the Fly - Fly Fishing

2011-03-22T05:51:00.000-07:00

I tried to take a picture of the fly several times but this is what you get with a phone. Although, the fish came out great. The Crazy Charlie is a simple pattern but is a killer on white bass if you use chartreuse and red.

Hook - size 8

Eyes - dumbbell/bead chain

Thread - yellow or which ever you choose.

Body - Silver chenille

Wing - Mallard flank

Tail - flashabou

It's way too windy - much more windy than yesterday. I still need to make an anchor for the kayak. I've got a lot on my plate today . . . guess I may not fish today but will probably take the kids out to the pond tomorrow. It's supposed to be 75 today - that water is still a bit chilly - late warm up from having a late winter(s), lol.

I was casting out into about 5 to 6 feet of water and stripping this fly in slowly as to land crappie. They were short striking and tugging a tiny bit. I landed a bunch of undersized crappie. They weren't schooling around any structure - at least, I didn't see any structure. I am used to landing them on Clousers - pink and chartreuse Clousers but the Crazy Charlie fly will do.

Trifecta

2011-03-21T14:17:00.001-07:00

Took out the ol' kayak for a spin. Got blown around and tied off on a fallen branch. Caught badss, bream and crappie. Lots of undersized crappie. All on the Crazy Charlie. I tied it with silver chenille for the body and mallard flank for the wing.

Had a long day running around . . . will post later.

Stinkin' fuel

2011-03-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Waiting for temps to level off before heading out. Water temps still unstable. After all, I just want to maximize $4 gas. I bought a travel container for soap as a new fly box for .50 cents.

Due to high gas prices, I have decided to hit a couple of local ponds on the kayak. I will try my best to learn them - who cares if bass may be scarce.

Besides, I am having too much fun with my new toy phone. Me and the pops may hit the Kings or Illinois for a float trip.

2 groups assisting clean up and maintenance of Illinois River

2011-03-02T16:35:00.000-08:00

Oklahoma - http://www.illinoisriver.org/default.aspx

Arkansas - http://www.irwp.org/projects.html

Illinois River Watershed given some protection.

2011-03-02T05:52:00.001-08:00

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- After nearly six hours of debate, the Fayetteville City Council passed the stream side protection ordinance late Tuesday night.
The measure would create a 50 foot protection zone near streams, and property owners would have to keep things like feed lots, swimming pools and parking lots away from streams. City leaders have said the ordinance would prevent harmful runoff and erosion.
Many property owners said the law oversteps the city's bounds.
The ordinance passed with a vote of 7 to 1. Alderman Bobby Ferrell cast the only vote against the ordinance.

Troubled Waters: The Illinois River

2011-02-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Stream Pollution - Illinois River, Arkansas/Oklahoma

2011-02-21T11:56:00.001-08:00

I do think that Oklahoma is not paying attention to all the urban development and pollution running into the Illinois River - through Clear Creek, Osage Creek, and other local streams . . . streams running out of Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, etc.

An example of water run-off issues is that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is looking to relocate from Centerton, AR - outside of Bentonville. The spring that once gave water to the hatchery cannot provide enough outflow - the water which once seeped into the ground now flows over concrete and pavement - where there was once abundant farm land.

Those streams run off into the Illinois Watershed and into the Elk River through Sugar Creek . . . Northwest Arkansas is on several watersheds; White River, Illinois and some other stuff in Missouri and Oklahoma.

Here is an article from a group trying to get the Illinois River back on it's feet. In my opinion, it's not just the farms, it's urban development . . . the banks are washing away, algae blooms are increasing and folks are littering such as a recent issue with someone dumping port-a-potty chemicals into the Illinois River in the Prairie Grove area.

Why would they put a housing development 50 yards from the Illinois River?? Then again, we've got new golf courses popping up along the Illinois River Watershed and who knows what chemicals are running off into the streams? Not to mention that they are altering the banks and causing more erosion.

CSI: ILLINOIS RIVER

By Ed Brocksmith, STIR, Inc.

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a two-year study of Illinois River water pollution. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study is expected to set limits for pollutants that hurt the river’s water quality, safety, and recreational value. Wisely, EPA will approach the study by looking at the entire watershed, not at the singular interests of Arkansas or Oklahoma. Tenkiller Lake, having an entirely separate, complex ecological dynamic, should benefit from adoption of a TMDL for the Illinois River.

EPA defines a TMDL as: “a calculation of a pollutant load that assures that when implemented, an impaired water will attain and maintain applicable water quality standards.” Phosphorus most certainly will be an object of any TMDLs for the Illinois River watershed. From 2000 – 2004, it’s estimated that between 391,000 to 712,000 pounds of phosphorous entered Tenkiller Lake. Phosphorus does not disappear and is recycled from lake sediments for use over and over by algae.

If you will kindly indulge a comparison to a crime scene investigation on a popular television show, you might think of a TMDL study as CSI: Illinois River. Imagine forensic investigators pouring over DNA evidence and spraying luminol up and down the Illinois River, setting the entire watershed aglow. The tell tale bright green which indicates blood on TV, will instead point to evidence of phosphorus, the nutrient that promotes the growth of algae. In great amounts, algae degrade water clarity; rob fish of oxygen, and cause taste and odor problems. Some algae can even be toxic to humans, pets and livestock.

Complicating this crime scene is the fact that investigators in Arkansas and Oklahoma are not looking in the same box of evidence. Oklahoma water quality agencies conduct tests at normal, base flow, river conditions as well as during storm events called peak flow. Arkansas abandoned this type of testing, opting instead to test only at base flow conditions. This explains why phosphorus levels are several times greater at Watts, Oklahoma on our border than they are just upstream in Arkansas.

According to Dr. Bill Andrews of the USGS Oklahoma Water Science Center, the disparity in water sampling is “like comparing 19^th century and 21^st century medical technology.”

“Oklahoma’s flow-weighted testing is more representative of actual conditions,” Andrews told a Tahlequah meeting sponsored by the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission. “We believe that we have found the right way (for both the river and the lake) to do it.”

Eliminating peak flow testing ignores phosphorus carried from fields, yards, and parking lots by stormwater runoff. Runoff accounts for an estimated 78% of the phosphorus load entering beautiful Lake Tenkiller. This is called nonpoint source pollution since there are no obvious pipes or channels. The bulk of phosphorus in runoff is from animal feeding operations and in our region, this means chicken and cattle manure spread on pastures surrounding poultry farms. When only base flow conditions are sampled, phosphorus from sewage treatment plants, estimated to be about 35 percent of watershed phosphorous, is unfairly emphasized. This has placed Oklahoma water quality agencies at a stalemate, forcing the EPA to conduct the TMDL study.

Water quality regulations themselves are different in Arkansas. While Oklahoma has what’s called a numeric water quality standard for phosphorus in the Illinois River, Arkansas has only words to describe impairment. This is called a narrative water quality standard which can be alright if supported by scientific data. But the lack of a numeric standard permits Arkansas to conveniently ignore water quality impairments in reports it has to make to the EPA. Calling Arkansas’ hand, EPA usually amends Arkansas’ list of impaired state waters, naming some streams in the Illinois River watershed as impaired.

Oklahoma’s numeric standard for phosphorus is .037 parts per million (mg/L). It has been compared to an ounce of phosphorus in an Olympic-size swimming pool. The limit has been roundly criticized by farming interests and by Arkansas authorities who are lobbying the EPA to relax standards for sewage treatment plants. The .037 standard for the six Oklahoma Scenic Rivers, all originating in Arkansas, must be achieved by 2012. The limit was driven by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling after Oklahoma and Save the Illinois River, Inc. (STIR) sued EPA over discharge of Fayetteville, Arkansas’ sewage to the Illinois River watershed. Since the high court’s ruling, and to their credit, northwest Arkansas cities have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce phosphorus from sewage treatment plants. Tahlequah and Westville, the only Oklahoma cities with sewage plants in the watershed, face major upgrades to reduce phosphorus. Reduction in phosphorus from cities is believed to have greatly benefited Tenkiller Lake which, sadly, is by no means free of degradation. In the future, Tahlequah just might have to discharge its waste outside the Illinois River watershed further relieving the pressure on Tenkiller Lake.

Ahead of the pending EPA TMDL, the mood of many of our neighbors to the East is one of great anxiety because Oklahoma pledged to reevaluate the .037 limit before 2012. Recent studies by the USGS seem to show that Oklahoma .037 phosphorus limit still is viable despite claims by Arkansas leaders that it’s unachievable and would curtail northwest Arkansas’ economy. Dr. Dave Mueller, USGS Central Region water quality specialist, said recently that Oklahoma’s .037 phosphorus standard appears viable. He said that recent work at sites in Oklahoma’s EPA Nutrient Region show results “similar” to the Clark Report, the basis for the .037 standard.

Oklahoma has attempted to get at nonpoint pollution sources which, unlike municipalities, are unregulated by federal law. A verdict in a U.S. District Court lawsuit filed by Oklahoma against Arkansas poultry companies is being awaited. Poultry industry giants including Tyson and Simmons Foods defended their activities and blamed others including the cities for the huge amount of phosphorus in the Illinois River watershed.

The comparison of an Illinois River watershed TMDL study to a crime scene investigation may not be far-fetched. What’s missing are the long, fluttering barriers of bright yellow crime scene tape and detectives armed with bottles of magic fluid used to find blood traces. The cops on the beat, EPA, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, all have allowed the Illinois River to slide into decay by not establishing TMDLs which are required by the federal Clean Water Act passed more than 30 years ago. What has happened to the once clear Illinois River and to Tenkiller Lake certainly is a crime and it’s time we get to the bottom of it.

In Md., felt boots blamed for invasive 'rock snot'

2011-02-20T17:36:00.000-08:00

By DAVID DISHNEAU, Associated Press – Sun Feb 20, 12:58 pm ET

MONKTON, Md. – As an algae with a gross nickname invades pristine trout streams across the U.S., Maryland is about to become the first state to enforce a ban on a type of footgear the organism uses to hitchhike from stream to stream: felt-soled fishing boots.

The state Department of Natural Resources plans to prohibit wading with felt soles starting March 21 to curb the spread of invasive organisms that can get trapped in the damp fibers and carried from one body of water to another.

Similar bans will take effect April 1 in Vermont and next year in Alaska, aimed especially at didymo, a type of algae that coats riverbeds with thick mats of yellow-brown vegetation commonly called "rock snot."

Maryland fishery regulators say didymo, short for Didymosphenia geminata, can smother aquatic insect larvae such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies that are favored food for trout.

"We've got to keep it from spreading," said Jonathan McKnight, associate director of the state Wildlife and Heritage Service in Maryland, where didymo was found in 2008 in the Gunpowder Falls north of Baltimore. A western Maryland stream, the Savage River, also has tested positive for the organism but hasn't had a rock snot bloom.

Didymo, pronounced DID-ee-moh, isn't a stream-killer like acid mine drainage. Fish have adapted in the northern rivers where it first appeared, but biologists can't say for sure how it will affect the ecology of Maryland waterways.

"I think the cautionary approach to that would be to assume it's going to have some adverse impacts and respond accordingly," said Ron Klauda, a Maryland freshwater fisheries biologist.

Maryland officials are taking public comments through Feb. 28 on their proposed ban. They say 2011 will be an "education year," with violators getting warnings and information cards instead of tickets. Fines and penalties haven't yet been determined and won't be effective until 2012.

A U.S. Agriculture Department map shows didymo in at least 18 states as of 2008. New Zealand has banned felt soles to protect its trout fishery.

Some anglers and policymakers, however, aren't sold on the felt-sole ban. Many anglers prefer felt to rubber — even newer, supposedly stickier rubber compounds — because they believe felt gives better traction on slippery, rock-strewn riverbeds where losing one's footing can be disastrous.

"We're going to have injuries. We're going to have people messing up their knees," said Mark Mayer, who traveled from Chattanooga, Tenn., to fly-fish the Gunpowder Falls in June.

A proposed felt ban introduced this year in the Oregon legislature is almost certainly doomed after a state Department of Fish and Wildlife official testified that the agency's own employees prefer felt soles.

"Certainly, going to no (felt) soles would reduce one vector of the spread of invasive species, but only one vector," said Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Rick Hargrave. Didymo and other organisms also cling to waders, shoelaces and boat hulls, experts say.

Hargrave said what's needed is "a very holistic, rigorous program" to address the bigger issue of invasive aquatic species.

Oregon state Rep. Brian Clem, Democratic co-chairman of a committee that held a hearing on felt soles in early February, said the cost of replacement gear is another problem. Simms Fishing Products, which voluntarily discontinued felt-soled wading boots last year, offers rubber-soled boots priced from about $100 to $220.

"We don't want to price out and potentially take safety risks on a huge number of people who love this sport, many of whom come to this state to enjoy it," Clem said.

The conservation group Trout Unlimited asked manufacturers in 2008 to stop producing felt-soled footwear by 2011 to curb the spread of didymo and other aquatic nuisances. Not all have complied, but most are working on alternate materials and designing boots that clean up easier and dry faster, making them less hospitable to microbes, said David Kumlien, who heads Trout Unlimited's Aquatic Invasive Species Program.

Kumlien testified in support of the Vermont felt ban but he said Trout Unlimited isn't lobbying for prohibition, partly because felt soles aren't the only culprits. Instead of seeking felt bans, Trout Unlimited is encouraging everyone who works or plays on the water to "inspect, clean and dry" their gear after use. Montana is promoting that approach with public service ads urging people to "Stop aquatic hitchhikers!"

Still, the felt-ban debate has been helpful, Kumlien said.

"While a ban on felt soles doesn't solve the invasive species problems, it's something that will reduce the risk of anglers moving invasive species," Kumlien said. "And quite clearly, it's gotten people's attention."

Dear Fly Fishing Diary,

2011-02-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Fly Fishing Diary,

Why can't we stock these so called "fragile" streams with some bass? Lord knows some of those fish swim out of the lakes anyways. If I have another day like today, I just may sell all my stuff and get out of it. Our Ozark streams are falling apart. Progress is polluting . . . that and last year's drought dried up so many lakes and streams.

Note to self - GET A LIFE.

Warden's Worry - Bass Fly Tying Pattern

2011-02-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

I have tied this fly a few times. Don't think I've ever fished it. Hoping to try this one out soon . . . if we can get rid of this snow. Looks to be at least 15 inches thus far today. This is a Tom Nixon pattern. Not very fancy. I substituted a few materials.

Tail - Red goose wing feathers fibers.

Body - Rear half, silver embossed tinsel. Front half, yellow chenille with yellow saddle hackle wound over it.

Wing - Natural brown buck tail topped with yellow buck tail.

Shoulder - Jungle cock.

Head - Black with red and white eyes.

Hook - #2, #4, #6, 4X long.

I've tied up about 80 flies over the past 8 days. Lots of snow in the forecast today. Got my truck stuck in the driveway and street this morning. Four wheel drive is not functioning. At least it drives.

The Beaux - Bass Fly Tying Pattern

2011-02-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

I listed a red and white fly on a couple of other posts and called it the Beaux. That fly is actually the Belle. I confused them. This fly is the Beaux. They are identical except in colors. The Beaux is another Tom Nixon pattern from "Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish". I changed a few materials. I have only tied this fly one other time and lost it fishing somewhere.

I hope to land a bass on this great looking fly. One that is supposedly an effective pattern. I did notice that Tom Nixon utilized a lot of yellow in his flies. I like yellow on bass flies.

Tail - Two strands yellow wool yarn and two black about 1/2 inch long.

Body - Described from back to front.

1. Yellow chenille ruff at the tail.

2. One-third hook black floss ribbed with gold tinsel.

3. Yellow chenille ruff.

4. Rest of hook black chenille with yellow hackle round around it.

Wing - Calf tail or bucktail: small bunch of yellow then black then yellow tied on with definition of a black stripe.

Head - Black with yellow and red eyes painted on.

Hook - #1, #2, 4X long.

I hope Tom Nixon's flies stick around. His most popular is the Calcasieu Pigboat. Anyone know this pattern?? I like tying this pattern but never had caught any fish with it. I have some pics listed somewhere in my blog. I just might show the photo again . . . trying to tempt my readers back . . .

cheers - hated that line but am starting to like it.

Moss Bluff Special - Bass Fly Tying Pattern

2011-02-07T06:08:00.001-08:00

The Moss Bluff Special was a fly that was either created by Tom Nixon or a possible variant of another pattern. I received this fly (not the one pictured) in a Tom Nixon fly swap. The tyer had used black and white bucktail. Whereas, I used mallard flank. The tail was wood duck side bar flank but I used some Green Wing Teal duck on some of them . . . this one has a tail of mallard flank. I have had success with this pattern landing white bass and crappie.

Tail - Barred black and white wood duck side feathers.

Body - Orange ruff with the rest of body as silver tinsel chenille.

Wing - Calf or buck tail. White then black then white - making definition of black stripe.

Throat - Small bit of orange calf tail.

Hook - #1/0, #1, #2

I purchased a copy of "Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish" by Tom Nixon many years ago. It is awesome. I am going to look through it and tie up some patterns. I forgot about the Phideaux and Yallered flies.

I will try to post those patterns. Another goal is to list some of my angling books too.

Lake bass fly patterns.

2011-02-01T20:33:00.001-08:00

I just tied this streamer up to target lake bass. I'll probably go to the store and stock up on a few more streamers. I am wondering, other than bass bugs, what patterns are you using for lake bass?? Leave a comment, I am interested.

I am hoping to diversify my fly box a little more

White Bass / Sand Bass Fly Pattern

2011-02-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Every Spring, I like to hit the White Bass/Sand Bass Run. I like the term Sandies but I guess we call them White Bass in Arkansas for some reason. One reason the white bass run is such a craze for anglers is the obvious, they are great fighters and willing to smash a bait or crawdad pattern.

I do think that Beaver Lake is an awesome place for catching white bass. There are several great locations around the lake or on local streams. No limit on white bass at Beaver Lake!! The obvious "go-to" pattern is a chartreuse Clouser. The Crazydad is another good pattern. I use the Clouser with sinking line. A 5 wgt. rod will provide for an excellent fight. Although, I did use my 8 wgt. last year and still had a good fight - partially due to the current.

The fly pattern shown above is obviously a Woolly Bugger. I generally tie this with a silver bead head but did not have the proper size. For white bass, I generally stick with a size 8 hook. This is a larger size for black bass but will probably suffice for Sandies.

The body is of silver chenille, chartruese hackle and marabou with a red head - tied with red thread instead of black. I usually build up the red thread behind the bead head for a nice blood or gill effect. I have also caught bream and crappie on this pattern. This is a quick, easy and inexpensive pattern to tie.

Bored today.

2011-02-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

Bored today. Can't leave the house. Nothing but ice and snow outside. Tied up 27 flies.

Flip-Flop Fly

2011-02-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is a lousy photo - took it with my phone. I posted an image a few days ago of wedges I was cutting from a flip-flop. I'm not giving instructions . . . want ya'll to figure this one out on your own.

2011 First Day Out

2011-01-31T09:41:00.000-08:00

Crummy weather is moving in. It's supposed to snow anywhere between 2 to 10 inches between tonight and tomorrow. Hello, I'm in the South . . . gimme a break Mother Nature!!!

The fog moved in on the stream and choked me up. I couldn't breath without choking and didn't want to risk getting sick from too much moisture. The water temp was pretty chilly - Not unbearable but the water had to be less than 40 degrees.

Started out with my "Yellow Stream Fly" and landed a few bass fingerlings. Hung out on the stream for about 2 hours before cursing the late winter. Not a bad day out. I did better than expected.

Wish I took my camera - caught a large crawdad on the butt of my rod - BIG pinchers. He did not want to let go of my rod - I had kicked him up out of somewhere and was booting him downstream as I walked. Poor guy. I finally put him on a nice shallow shoal.

I got rained on too. Twice. At one point, I stood under the bridge and tried to wait it out. Time to tie up some wooly buggers.

Later.

Note to self.

2011-01-31T03:20:00.000-08:00

Diversify fly box more for lake bass. Not just poppers and Clousers and a few other streamers but also wooly buggers too. Most of my lake bass have been taken on woolies.

Need more brown and yellow Clousers too. Time to tie up a few more. Need to make trip to fly shop. Maybe Academy too.

"Popping Bugs" - Custom Bass and Panfish foam bodies

2011-01-30T20:32:00.001-08:00

Pictured above, you will see a flip-flop which is being cut into smaller pieces. Pieces that will eventually end up in a fishes mouth. Yes, something that had a foot in it will tempt a fish to put himself onto a hook.

I have made bugs from flip-flops before. Some of those flies were created in a large cylindrical form for bass. But these foam bodies will be mainly for bluegill and probably the occasional bass. Last year, I did fairly well catching bass. I hit a couple of new locations and am happy with the results. It doesn't matter if it's a pond, a stream, or the local creek running through town, I am going to hammer those bluegills hard this year.

Stay tuned and I will show you how these foam wedges will turn into seemingly tasty morsels.

More Bluegill Flies

2011-01-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

Most every fly fisherman knows that you can chuck just about anything at a bluegill and it'll take it . . . more than most other species anyway. I have tied a lot of custom flies, bought 'em, and collected them from fly swaps.

So, you could say that my list of bluegill flies is pretty long. But I will share a short list with you anyway. At least those currently with me now.

Serendipity - light green
Renegade
Elk Hair Caddis
Bitch Creek Nymph
Green Humpy
white stillborn midge
flashback pheasant tail nymph
brown CDC emerger midge
red brassie
Copper bead olive zebra midge
P.T choronomid
black parachute caddis emerger

I will end up losing about half of those the first day out. Most of these will also be used to drift for bass. Out of these, I think the Elk Hair Caddis has been most successful for me. I take small bass on those midges. Large Pumpkin Seed usually pummel my Bitch Creek.

I like to tied up a bunch of Jeremiah Nymph Two's for landing 'gills. It's a Tom Nixon pattern. I just might share it with ya'.

Tying up a few fly patterns today.

2011-01-24T06:42:00.001-08:00

This fly pattern was sent to me by a friend who chases Whitefish. I am going to throw this ugly thing at a few fish this year. I pulled most of my fly tying materials out of the attic and scattered it about the living room. I have got to clean this mess up before the wife comes in.
This fly pattern is a take on a fly I came up with while trying different patterns for stream bass. You know, smaller Kentucky type bass . . . anyway, unlike the original pattern, this is tied with regular yellow chenille instead of FLAT YELLOW chenille. I added pheasant tippet and a red throat. This is a size 6 bait hook. Yes, a bait hook.
This pattern is a evolution of that same small stream bass fly except that it has hackle. I have landed a lot of bass and bream on this fly. This is on a size 8 bait hook. Flat yellow chenille.
This is the original pattern for small stream bass. I have landed some decent size bass on this fly. This pattern excites me because bass have left their cover to dart out even to the mid part of a stream to take it. I landed two nice bass on this pattern in less than 3 minutes on a small pond.
I forget the hook size but it is a larger nymph hook - probably an 8. This is my copy of a fly I purchased at the local fly shop called the Crappie Killer - except that I forgot to tie in the bead chain eyes. I have indeed landed crappie and rock bass on this pattern . . . along with what is close to my largest smallmouth ever.

Getting revved up for this spring. I may tie up some bug patterns from flip flops today. So exciting!

Scouted some new water today.

2011-01-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

I tied this popping bug about 5 years ago. The fly got hung on a log and lost on a stream. I went out with the kids and scouted out a few streams in the area. For the most part, these streams aren't thoroughly deep. They do shrink up quit a bit during a heat wave. You probably won't pull

out any lunkers either.

However, I do think these streams are a perfect fit for me. I enjoy fishing warm shallow streams - clear, beautiful streams. A stream without anybody else on it. These creeks will definitely be filled with bream and bass. And from what I can surmise, crappie too. Won't go into detail about the crappie because I don't want to give away the location.

I do prefer fishing remote locations. I prefer fishing without anyone or others on the same stream. It may sound selfish but it's more relaxing for me. I like to enjoy a serene location to it's fullest. I like clear and quiet streams where I can focus and gather my thoughts. I leave my issues on the stream and go back to life in a relaxed state.

I just might post a pic . . . maybe. But I best not see you.

Cheers.

email update

2011-01-18T03:13:00.001-08:00

updated my email address. seems some folks have tried to email me.

Fishing habits/superstitions

2011-01-18T01:12:00.000-08:00

When I go fishing, there are certain things I do, not only because I enjoy them but also because it's a bit of a routine and possibly superstition. Back in the day, as a kid I had to have a Coke and a Snickers bar.

Now, I have to stop and buy a cup of coffee and sunflower seeds. GOTTA HAVE MY SEEDS. And I know this is going to be odd to some folks. Especially because most people either haven't heard of The Pixies or think they are odd. But I have to listen to The Pixies to get worked up about slodging the stream.

Maybe it's just me but I have got to be a gear minimalist. I take just enough - water, a case of flies and an extra leader. And a phone.

Searching for warm water fly fishing patterns.

2011-01-18T00:00:00.001-08:00

If you are searching for warm water patterns, please use the search feature on my blog to locate patterns. There are a lot for panfish but also some for bass too - not just pics but tying instructions too.

I caught one of my biggest bass on this fly at Lake Swepco in Gentry, AR. A power station uses a local creek to cool something within the facility, so the outflow is very warm. The lake stays warm all year round. The bass usually spawn in January. This lake is stocked with Florida strain bass and was at one point and may still be off limits to keep any bass.

Parmacheene Bass

Originator: Tom Nixon

Hook: #2 - 1/0, 4X long
Tail: Two red and two white hackle tips
Body: Red chenille ruff at bend of hook, rest of body white chenille
Hackle: One white and one red saddle hackle plamered together over white chenille portion of body
Wing: White topped with red topped with white bucktail. This example substitutes white mylar and red mylar fibers from mylar dusters

Tyer: Mark Delaney, Lake Charles, LA

Some more flies.

2011-01-11T08:10:00.000-08:00

Bluegill flies. Just a little something to help tide us over until Spring.

Fav Bass Bug

2011-01-10T10:36:00.001-08:00

I only have two of these - held onto 'em for about 6 years. Tied them from cylinder foam. Had a few nice bass on this baby!

Catchin' the fever.

Bass Bugs, etc.

2011-01-10T10:27:00.001-08:00

Snowy and boring today. I thought why not show a pic of flies I tied up for bass and bream. Simple patterns. Nothing fancy but you know these are effective.

Just watched a show on Versus, "Fly Fish TV". The host was fly fishing for bass on Beaver Lake, ar with top water patterns. It made me go nuts!!!!!! I cannot wait for spring - shoot, the white bass run will be first!!!!!!!!!!

2010-12-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

Fly Tying and Fly Fishing for Bass and Panfish by Tom Nixon is a great book. One that can help you see the progression of fly tying for warm water species. I became friends with some folks that knew Tom Nixon and were members of the same fly fishing club.

After Tom's death, I participated in a couple of memorial fly swaps. Just thought I would throw out a few links that show a few of Tom's patterns from a fly swaps.

http://chemprof.tripod.com/tnswap2.htm

http://cbfc0.tripod.com/tnix3.htm

http://cbfc0.tripod.com/2tnswap.htm

Hockey and Smallmouth Bass

2010-12-28T05:44:00.000-08:00

Who knew the Arkansas Razorbacks had a hockey team? A team that is pretty darn good too. Brings back memories of street hockey and ice skating. Been watching hockey lately but I sure am looking forwards to warm weather.

I do have some goals for next year, stay under a certain weight, be more successful at fly fishing for bass and watch the Razorbacks play hockey. I wasn't good at ice hockey but I was good at skating. So, I played road hockey. It made me think of how I am a decent fisherman but not awesome all the way around.

I guess fly fishing will be something that will always challenge and frustrate me. Even though I want to go fishing, I am hung up on whether I am worthy of holding a fly rod. I really don't tie flies anymore. I have pushed the limit for tying up bluegill flies . . . moving more towards smallie flies only.

In a way, I am like the Razorbacks. People wonder how they can field a hockey team and they also wonder at how people can fly fish for something other than trout. At least the uneducated and newbies think that about me.

Just a little bored.

Searching for bass and bluegill fly patterns?

2010-11-01T11:44:00.001-07:00

After viewing my blog, most traffic disappears within just a few seconds. I do believe most are looking for fly fishing patterns. Search my blog for fly patterns. There are more than a few with tying instructions and photos.

I may not have fancy pictures of fishing in mangroves for red fish or holding up huge smallmouth but there is a chance to pick up on a few effective patterns. After all, don't you want to diversify your fly selection?

Streams have dried up and fishing habitats aren't the same, so I have put fishing off until I decide to head to the lake. Hopefully, this warm fall will stick around a bit longer.

Hoping to post something interesting soon.

Is it wrong for me to brag?

2010-09-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

Sure, it's not a huge bass. Fly fishing 'round here ain't exactly King Salmon fishing but I'll take it. Especially when I pull this smallmouth bass out of a puddle.

Guess I need to put more text into my blog for Google spiders to crawl - need more relevancy for traffic. The past two years, I have used the Clouser for the better part of my outings. And it has paid off. Chartreuse and white Clousers and Chartreuse and pink Clousers are productive for me. In the past, I have used yellow and brown Clousers too. White Clousers are OK but since I have been fishing dirty water quite a bit the past few years, the chartreuse is obviously more visible.

I still have yet to master landing smallmouth bass on crawdad patterns. I do believe that only bluegills have taken my crawdad patterns.

I finally mastered a creek that once seemed to be distant. For some reason, it was one that I always wanted to hold off on. It was the closest to home. Guess I didn't want to disappoint myself on a stream that seemed popular and seemingly easy.

It is time to pull out the kayak again. The lake should be more comfortable for bass to come out of the cool depths. Got some deer hair popping bugs ready to go. This year, my top fly fishing goal is to catch largemouth bass on popping bugs.

Anyway, glad this year is turning out to not be such a bad year for bass.

Urban Fly Fishing

2010-09-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

Urban fly fishing - yep . . . fly fishing in a most inconspicuous spot . . . gotta love those places close to home. Where did all the panfish go??? Water temp dropped big time a few days ago . . . rain . . . muddy water. I hope this stream doesn't become polluted . . . too polluted . . . . already a bit dirty.

You know what sucks, smelling restaurant food while you fish.

Carp on the fly!

2010-09-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

After losing both yellow hoppers, I tied on the Los Alamos Ant. I was making my way back to the truck. Utterly dissappointed and disgusted with the stream. Why was I here??

Ahhh, finally - a bass. Then a large Ozark bass and then . . . a carp! Man, it has been ages since I landed a carp - and on the Los Alamos Ant. Tried to take a picture but that carp was crazy and fell back in the creek. What a fight! Awesome. Man, makes me feel good. I am still excited about that one.

I do measure myself against other fly fisherman. I do think I am getting better as a flyfisherman. It has been a rough year with lots of heat and no rain. A lot of people think carp are nasty but I think it topped my list of fish this year.

What a nasty creek. I'd forgotten. I also remember that I wanted to get away from local creeks. I wanted better waters. Well, I hit the river yesterday and it was muddy, swift and had risen about a foot or so - couldn't even see my fly - no action.

So, I will continue to take what I can get - even if it is a nasty fish that made my day. Heck, it may have even validated my feelings as a fisherman, ha ha ha.

What it may all be about.

2010-08-31T03:25:00.000-07:00

I began this blog for folks who are learning to fly fish. Watching Anthony Bourdain right now. It reminds me of making trips out to new locations and trying new fly patterns. When I moved to the South from Canada, I was intrigued by bass bugs. Even more interesting were those little panfish.

The local fly shops only offered trout flies - with the occasional white bass and panfish selection. Eventually one of them moved into bass flies. I went to the internet to find my flies - grass roots research. I became involved in fly swaps. It was interesting to find out what types of custom fly patterns anglers were tying for their favorite warm water species.

I hit the message board and online groups to learn the techniques folks were using to land fish. I do consider myself untraditional. There are a lot of books out there about fly fishing for trout, salmon,etc.

Sure, there titles on warm water species but you won't find most of them at the Barnes & Nobles. Especially when your looking for panfish flies - even crappie flies; you just won't find but a couple of titles - heck, maybe just one specifically.

I seem to find myself to be of a rare sort of fly fisherman. Sure, I see the occasional fly angler, mostly during the white bass run. There are a few of us that hit local water such as streams behind grocery stores or those good locations wedged between two highways and a local golf course.

I never saw anyone doing what I was, fly fishing from a boat - except on Lake Swepco. Maybe it's just not common in Arkansas or the Ozarks. I am sure the Kings River and Clear Creek are fished quite often by fly fisherman. Heck, even the Elk River too.

But, I don't float these streams with groups nor network to find the best locations. I hunt. I go out and figure things out on my own. Most of the time.

I've kinda fallen of the intellectual and instructional aspects of this blog. I am trying to keep it simple and offer up patterns that I use. I'm one of these guys that will fish just about anywhere but that means having a diverse selection of flies - and I like to have custom flies - bluegill flies - flies for dirty water and tight, slippery, nasty places to fish.

After all, isn't part of the adventure just figuring out where to go and what to use??

Smallmouth Outing - Illinois River #2, 2010

2010-08-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

Landed several smallmouth bass on a chartreuse and pink Clouser fly pattern. I only had two of those colored Clousers and lost them both. Landed a few more on chartreuse and white Clousers too. After the overcast skies disappeared, fishing died down. STOPPED.

Academy Sporting Goods had it's grand opening. I went and bought some new leaders and tippet. Excellent selection of flies - panfish and bass flies. I will be making a trip there soon. I lost 8 out of 10 Clousers today.

I drifted in swifter water than usual. I wanted larger fish - figured the bigger ones would be in a faster current or would chase food into a faster current. Didn't land anything very large but had fun anyway.

I began drifting along a fallen tree - a deep hole about 4 feet deep ran alongside. The fish were hitting the Clouser on the swing through - as I drifted the fly, I tried for a longer "tail out".

Fishing is still kinda slow - waiting for temps to drop. About 100 degrees again!!

I also fish a pool which spills into a strainer on the side and also continues to flow west. There are some stumps, logs, etc. in the bottom of this pool. I usually land bass just about anywhere in this pool - except the most swift portion at the top of the pool.

8 wgt. sinking line.

Sponge Pop - Bass Fly Pattern

2010-08-17T04:08:00.000-07:00

I made this bass bug to displace water and make noise. I actually haven't landed anything with nit but have used it a few times. It's OK. Not as loud as I figured it would be but it's a frog pattern and I bet something will hit it one day.

Just joined Warm Water group on Facebook

2010-08-17T02:27:00.000-07:00

This group seems to like bass, bluegills, crappie, etc. Seems like it could be fun and educational. Let's get this thing goin'! Seems like posts are really slow but it could be a great way to congregate and share info and photos.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22422503286&ref=search#!/group.php?gid=66253750555&ref=ts

Ozark Bass and strange bream findings.

2010-08-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

Pictured is a Rock Bass. Very similar to an Ozark Bass. I have fished in many Ozark streams. The West Fork, Middle Fork, White River, Richland Creek, War Eagle, just to mention a few - was that a few?? Heck, I even fished that creek which flows under the I-540 bridge near the Target store and next to restaurant row. If that's not urban fishing, I don't know what is.

I have seen many different species of sunfish. I have also seen many different cross breeds. Cream colored bream with "Red-Eye" Stump Knocker markings. Or Pumpkinseed mixed with Warm Mouth. I guess you could name them; Redeye, Goggle-eye, Red-eyed Bream, Stump Knocker, Mudgapper, Mo-mouth, Morgan, Molly, Rock Bass, Open Mouth, Weed Bass, Wood Bass, Strawberry perch, Mud Bass, and Warmouth Bass.

Whatever - just as long as they fit in the pan. The most beautiful sunfish of all, is what I truly consider to be the Ozark Bass. Cream colored body with black gills with red tips. A large mouths and belly. Heftier than most sunfish.

I caught a few this year and last. The most consisting day I had was when my father and I went out to Lake Elmdale. We landed many of these wonderful cream colored creatures. Some had mouths large enough to take deer hair flies. The Middle Fork of the White River (below Lake Sequoyah) is a pretty good place to find them. I used to drift Elk Hair Caddis to land these puppies on a 3 wgt. rod. I took my father to the stream and blew him away. lol. Large Pumpkin Seed "gills were prevalent under rock ledges when using a Montana Nymph.

I have landed so many sunfish that I think of myself as a Panfish Pro. If I could only be a Bass Pro. Sniff, Sniff.

Oh bass bug, oh bass bug. Where art thou bass bug?

2010-08-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

Somewhere out in Crystal Lake, a bass has my deer hair bass bug. My only bass of the day got away. Tough fishing. Although, I ran into a school of Ozark Bass http://www.agfc.com/species/Pages/SpeciesWildlifeDetails2.aspx?Title=Ozark%20Bass .

I want to be like these guys you know - those guys that go out and catch bass. I can find bream just about anytime I go out. Why? I'm good at it. If I can just hone my bass fishing skills, then maybe I can land more bass.

I used to say fly fishing for panfish was fun. And . . . it kind of is . . . or used to be. I've got my eye on the prize. It's time to start landing more bass. I love the big tugs on my fly rod. Especially when a big bass jumps out of the water. It's gonna take time out on the water again. Time to learn certain waters again. Time to find new waters too.

It's been a few years since I had a boat. Time to start picking up on things again. I do believe it's the dog days of summer. Fishing should pick up again in a bit.

Time to pull out my bass books again. Maybe it's time to hit my old haunts . . . .

First Black Bass of the year!

2010-07-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

Landed on Los Alamos Ant fly pattern - largemouth bass on the fly - took 6 months but I finally landed my first official bass of the year - white bass not included. Today I went the portion of a stream that I never attempted before. I was surprised. Lots of good fish activity.

I spent about 4 hours on the stream. I landed a good number of bream and small bass on the FLEA FLY, LOS ALAMOS ANT, and CRAPPIE KILLER.

I lost the tip guide to my 4 wgt. rod. I lost a spool of tippet and somehow got line tangled tightly around my ankle underwater.

I spotted bass right away. But as it would be my luck and almost always is, small bass hit my Flea Fly. Eventually, I got tired of landed small fish, tried a Clouser to no success and then tied on a size 6 Los Alamos Ant (tied by myself).

I decided to move up to a larger and longer hook to cull out the stupid, small sunfish. I smacked that fly down on the water. Hooked some decent sized bluegills and Ozark Bass too. He had a big mouth on that little body.

I landed my largest fish of the day on a Los Alamos Ant. What an explosion! Kablamo!

Sun burned with sore shoulders (from casting) and finally settled down into fly fishing for the year, ahhhh.

Whackers? No . . . BLUEGILLS.

2010-07-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Fun day out catching bluegills. Darn bluegills. Dog days of summer!! Tons of them out and none of them biting. My kids call them "whackers" because the fish whack their bodies on the kids' hands.

Foam hopper. Kids love to catch them. Ordered some deer hair bugs yesterday. Gotta clean my line - real dirty water at that pond.

Couldn't find my oar. Odd. Ordered a new one. Hoping to get kayak out soon.

Bass or Panfish Fly Pattern - Foam Damsel

2010-07-24T02:15:00.000-07:00

I couldn't tell you how I tied this bluegill fly one. It's been a long time. Swiss straw for wings, foam body. Pretty simple.

Bluegill Fly Pattern - Yellow and Black.

2010-07-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this pic. This is Tom Nixon's Yellow and Black. Great for Bluegills.

Tail: Black hackle fibers
Body: Yellow chenille or yellow floss ribbed with gold tinsel
Wing: Black hackle fibers
Hackle: Black hackle fiber throat hackle (although in the example for the image Tom used yellow hackle fibers)
Head: Black thread
Hook: #10 down to #18

Bass Fly Pattern - Minnow Streamer

2010-07-24T02:03:00.001-07:00

Great bass fly or crappie fly pattern.

Material List: White chenille, red chenille, silver tinsel, duck feathers, #2 hook.

Tying Instructions: Tie on mallard flank or other duck feathers for tail. Tie on white chenille and tinsel. Then tie on a bit of red chenille. Tie on flank feathers for wing. Use 15 wraps or .10 lead for weight.

Presentation Tips: This is a good pattern for white bass and crappie. A sinking tip line is recommended.

Bluegill Fly Pattern - Frog Popping Bug

2010-07-24T02:00:00.001-07:00

This is one of the first popping bugs I ever tied. I formed the body from a cork with a razor blade.

Material List: Formed cork, paints, feathers, #8 hook

Tying Instructions: Fashion cork with razor blade or Dremmel tool. Paint and apply lacquer. Tied on feathers.

Bass Fly Pattern - Crazydad crawdad

2010-07-24T01:57:00.001-07:00

This is a pattern I learned to tie at a white bass seminar which was held at a local fly shop.

Material List: Lead eyes, brown bucktail, orange rubber legs, brown dubbing.

Tying Instructions: Tie on lead eyes such as you would for a Clouser. Then tie on legs (claws). Use a dubbing spinner to dub body. Tie on brown bucktail to extend past barb.

Bass Fly Pattern - Calcasieu Pigboat

2010-07-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

This bass fly pattern is one of my first attempts at tying a Calcasieu Pigboat. And following the instructions of Tom Nixon, I added a spinning blade. I have used this pattern but never landed anything on it. Although, my father landed some bass on the one I gave him . . . until it came off. He told me, "I almost cried."

Material List: Rubber legs
Chenille
lead wire
marabou
hackle
spinner blade

Tying Instructions: Tie in marabou tail or rubber legs for tail. If using rubber legs tie up on hook about 1/2 way up. Tie in chenille and hackle wrapping both to about 3/4 up the hook. Tie on rubber hackle or legs for the skirt. About 8 on each side. about 60 in all. have them extend to match about the lenght of the tail. the length of the pigboat should extend about 1/2 inch or so from bend of hook. Tied in head paint eyes and cement. This can be tied weedless.

Presentation Tips: Strip in fast.

Bass Fly Pattern - Frog Popping Bug

2010-07-24T01:49:00.000-07:00

This bass fly was a very effective fly pattern. As with most flies, they disappear. I had a few of these. Tying flies had sort of become a past time. Used to tied them out in the shed.

Material List: 1/4 inch foam cylinder, rubber legs, feathers, stick on eyes, #8 hook

Tying Instructions: Use bodkin to place hole in center of foam cylinder. Push hook through cylinder. Use Zap-a-Gap if required. You can also tie on back of cylinder with thread but not required. Tie on four rubber legs behind body. Then tie on feathers. Then push legs through body with bobbin threader or needle. Apply eyes.

Bass Fly Pattern - Midnight Popping Bug

2010-07-24T01:45:00.000-07:00

Tied this bass fly a while back. Lost this popping bug on the far side of a stream. I always cover my hard body poppers with spray lacquer.

Material List: Black paint, balsa body, 25 lbs. test line, black feathers and marabou. Painted on or stick on eyes.

Tying Instructions: Paint body black with eyes. Spray with lacquer. Tie on marabou and feathers. Tie this weedless.

Bass Fly Pattern - Minnow Popping Bug

2010-07-24T01:42:00.000-07:00

Tied this crease fly in 2002. Love popping bugs.

Target Species: Freshwater Bass,
Recommended Region: Central US,
Imitation: General Baitfish,
Material List: Foam, 0/1 hook, shad colored marabou
Tying Instructions: Paint silver body, then apply light coat of white paint on the bottom and apply or paint eyes. Mouth is red. Can be tied weedless. Tie on marabou.

Bass Fly Pattern - Deer Hair Popping Bug

2010-07-24T01:38:00.000-07:00

What can I say, if you don't know how to tie a deer hair bass bug, watch a video. That's what I did. So, my instructions are weak.

Material List: Deer hair and saddle hackle
Tying Instructions: Pack on hair. Trim so placement of the hook is exactly in the middle of the hair.