Panfish pariah?

Those lowly panfish.  Well, that’s how I feel when taking to certain folks or strangers on the stream.  Yesterday, I bumped into a fella on the stream targeting rock bass.  Good to see him releasing those Smallmouth Bass.  Most folks I run into in this watershed are targeting Smallies.  Seemingly, most that I can see are releasing - I’ve got no issues with legal harvest.

A number of fly fisherman I speak to seem to wanna chase trout and smallmouth but don’t really care about specifically targeting panfish.  I think part of it is they haven’t had the right rod for it.  Just the other day, I posted a lovely longear on FB and someone commented “Bait”.  I’ve got thick skin and have seen worse comments but his was typical.  Even on the water, I do see folks calling Panfish, bait fish.  Over a decade ago and the last time I ever fished with my neighbor was when he would throw panfish as far as he could throw them.  He wanted bass and had been skunked all day.  I had caught Crappie and was fine with it.  That guy was a flake.

Growing up where I did, you got trout.  And that was it.  There were a few other lakes further out in the province with Kokanee but nobody wanted those fish.  I was happy to catch them - and throw them back.  But we didn’t get much of a choice to what was going to end up on the line.

For panfish,  I used to use Flies that were found in Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish by Tom Nixon.  Over the past few years, I’ve changed things up a bit.  Now, I’ve got some Predators tied by a buddy.  They are a top water pattern.  Also, he ties up a pattern he calls the Road Runner which I might share in about we post.  It has rubber legs and a rabbit strip tail.  I also use Pat’s Rubber Legs and Bitch Creek Nymphs a lot.

I’ve also had success with the Carp-it Bomb and Rio Gitter flies which has me tying up a few patterns similar to carp patterns influenced by those 2 patterns mentioned above.  Last week, I targeted Longears.  Very frustrating.  They seem to be exhibiting late post spawn activity.  

What patterns do you use for longears?

Hello again, it’s me.

Don’t know where to begin.  I had a great year fly fishing in 2019 for Bass and panfish.  I built several rods too.  Also, I’m trying very hard to transition to trout.  Everything is ready and all I have to do is hop in the truck.

I really wish that posting was current with outings and such but social media is easier to manage.  Plus, folks stay more informed an in touch with me.  However, there are still people scrolling through web pages and searching for something.  Many thanks to those who still follow my blog.

I’ve got a post or two from 2018 and that was a great Fall just as 2019.  This year has had a few bumps.  From a bad knee to an injured foot and lots and lots of rain.  But, I’m catching fish - just not a good start like the past few years.

How about a few photos?

I’ll add more details and photos as they are recalled.  Thanks to those folks who still follow and the people who stumble my not so happening blog.  

 not only do I haves couple of new fly patterns,  I also built and bought a few rods to review.  I guess a few great reviews will be posted - like the first gen Orvis Hydros which is a good tell but glad they updated it.  Just wish it was still available in Cilantro/Lime.

One thing for sure is I hope to help a few folks when it comes to warm water fly fishing because I need to become a little more technical and pick up on some old good habits.

Hello again - Bonjour, mes amis.

Just returned from a week in Quebec. 'Bonjour, mes amis" in French and translated to English means "Hello, my friends". If you think a visit to Quebec means not having to use your high school French, you are wrong. We had a lot of fun visiting a part of Canada that I had never traveled. Before moving to Arkansas, I grew up in British Columbia and never visited the other provinces. I made plenty of trips south of the border though. No, I did not go fishing. BUT, I did climb a cliff face. I may not do it again. The boys loved it. So, there is a slight chance I would scare myself again.

It is so much easier to communicate and post photos on social media than blogging. For me, there is a lot more communication through Instagram than on the blog. Nevertheless, I'm trying my best to pound it out on the keyboard for my followers and those that stumble upon my blog. I was attempting to make posts about last Fall. The creek was very fun. Lots of good fishing and some pretty nice fish were caught. I spent quite a bit of time between Labor Day and about the middle of October on the stream. A number of rods have been built between now and last Fall. As a matter of fact, I am working on a 4 weight and putting together plans for a 5 weight build for which I already have the blanks. At this point, other than doing some upcoming gear reviews, I can't recall too much to draw from in last Fall's excursions. Some coffee and deep thinking will have to come into play.

All I can say right not for sure is that "glass is not dead". I used a number of glass rods last year. I even stripped one of them down and did a rebuild - the old mid 60's Berkley Talisman. I have to dig out the photo from that day but a nice one was landed and a quick and short video was taken of the smallmouth bass.  Hoping to post again very soon.

I did build a couple of Epics.

Moonshine Revival Fly Rod - Review

In the Fall of 2017, I bought myself a Moonshine Revival.  I fiberglass rod and one that I do believe is made in Asia.  But it was a good rod.  WAS?  Yes, I sold it with a about 5 other rods and several reels as to purchase some more rods and reels because that is what I do.  And Moonshine Rod Co does make at least one model here in the US by hand but it's graphite.  I know some local guys that fish Moonshine rods too.

This rod is a medium-fast rod.  Almost a slower moderate feel but loads quicker than a vintage Cortland 619 (if you've ever owned one).  It has a vintage glass look the the blanks and loads and casts and loads well.  I was casting small to large flies - nothing articulated.  And it had a smooth feel to the rod.  A solid feel when "fish-on" but seemed to lack soul.  Like the soul my old Fenwicks.  I did expect a deeper bend with a 13' Smallmouth on in the riffles.  I did cast 5WF and 6WF line.  Such an attractive rod.  The rod seemed as if I had pulled it off the rack at a sporting goods store (instead of handcrafted).  Attractive enough to buy yet good enough to perform - as a "budget" glass rod.  I use that term loosely because fiberglass rods can be astronomically priced -and graphite too.  For $225, I expected something great and I got a "good enough" feel with great looking components.  It's described as classic glass - almost throwback rod.  Classic glass in my opinion, has a slower cast and deeper bend.  You do get an extra tip and it is nicer than those mass produced glass rods from companies like Maxcatch.  And I bought 2 of those Maxcatch rods for the boys but I'll save a review for later.  I only used this rod 2 or 3 times but I obviously didn't fall for it but we all have different tastes.

• Good flex tip - kind of a mid-flex feel to the rod.
• Great components
• Looks great
• 2 tips
• Could possibly pass as a 5/6 rod
• I'm not as sure if this rod is as Slow as described.

Am I trashing this rod or the company that sells it?  Nope. They are fine, hardworking folks that also make smoking pipes.  If I did fish graphite, I would definitely own the Moonshine Drifter or Midnight.

Definitely not an entry level rod.  Quality work with a great warranty.  Definitely a mid-priced rod.  Would I recommend this rod.  Yes, if it fits your budget but you could save up a bit more for something better.  Leave any questions in the Comments or email me.

Echo Bad Ass Glass - Fiberglass Fly Rods and Smallmouth Bass

Last Spring, I injured my knee and my ankle. I was laid up for a month before heading off to Canada for mountain biking, hiking, urban exploring and the likes of physical exertion my ankle wasn't ready for but knee had mostly healed.  I then spent the summer riding my mountain bike to strengthen my knee.  Then I was ready for Fall.  When Labor Day came, I was up for a great amount of wade fishing.  At least 2 days a week.  Sometimes, 3 or 4 outings of about two to four hours.

I haven't been regular in blog posts but there are a lot of outings and photos from last Fall to share.  One of my goals last year was to fish as many fiberglass fly rods that I could.  After all, I had spent time collecting them and rebuilding one of them in the Winter.

The last 2 posts have patterns and photos of fish from the Fall. I will say that it was the most productive year for Smallmouth fishing that I have had since 2013 and possibly EVER.  I did catch a lot of good size creek Smallies.  Lots of good 12"-13" inchers with some 14"-15' and even a good 16".

While there are a lot of really good fly fisherman out there and some folks that know how to hit those fatties, I think that I've really found how to fish local Ozark creeks for bass and panfish.  And that's mainly how I fish.  Creeks and a few streams here and there.

Over the next month, I will do reviews of such rods as old Fenwicks, newer cheap China made, mass produced rods, new glass and the such - and even another rebuild and new builds.  I would say that the Echo BAG surprised me with trout and smallmouth - and yes, even on panfish.  And WOW, do I have an amazing "on stream" photo with the ECHO BAG.

AND, I've got to start throwing in some tomato growing and salsa recipes  . . .  and okra too.  yup, a little gardening. 

Cheers.