Shaky knees...
06-03-2012, 03:32 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 360
Shaky knees...
Went to a local warmwater creek Saturday morning hoping to catch a gar on the fly. Last weekend a guy caught several and landed two. As usual, when I go, all I hear is "you should have been here last weekend." However, the catching wasn't bad. It started slow, and we had a cold front a couple of nights in a row. However, I remember hearing when fishing is slow, try to use a smaller bait. It made all the difference.
I hooked a solid 2lb bass that squirmed of as I was trying to get my camera out. By far the most bass I have ever caught here.
This is what I call my aquarium hole. I have caught or seen about 10 different species in this pool each time I go.
The problem is it is very clear and usually the fish can see you before you get a good shot at them. There is usually a 3lb bass that cruises here. You may be able to see it in this pic: (upper middle)
Another view showing numerous fish: (look just right of middle)
Some water got on the lens in these...
Well after that eventful morning I went home to eat some lunch and rest before I headed to hang out with the girlfriend. I received a text from her saying she might work late, so I figured I would check up on the smallmouth while I wait.
I decided to pack some heat this time for snakes and because the last time I heard lots of coyotes. I admit it's not the ideal snake gun, but better than nothing.
I had plans to fish upstream since I had never waded that section, but as soon as I entered the creek there were some spin fisherman working down. So I headed downstream. They caught up quick and just sloshed right through the water I was fishing as well as further downstream.
I bit my tongue and headed back upstream, after all that's what I wanted to fish. I worked back up to my original intended start.
Didn't take long to get a strike, but not what I wanted...
I kept working upstream and hitting every bit of water I could while trying to be stealthy. Finally, I hooked a fish that had that familiar pull, you know, the one that feels like a small bag of bricks running upstream with your line. He was just a little guy, but he didn't fight like he was.
I kept fishing up, with every cast envisioning that 4lb smallmouth inhaling my popper. I kept catching fish, but not the target species.
This is where it gets interesting (and long-winded)....as I wade upstream, I am having to watch every step as there are some slick shoals with lots of troughs and drop offs. I cast upstream and give the popper a couple of good pops. I look down as I make another step forward and look back up to find my popper missing. I set the hook (like Bill Dance) and I have successfully hooked into the best smallmouth I have ever hooked into. Unfortunately, almost as quickly as I hooked it, I lost it. My 8lb tippet snapped in half like it was 6X. Not at the knot, but in the middle. It was not worn as I had just re-tied. I did catch a glimpse of it and it was at least a 20", 4lb fish. I feel like a 5wt is no longer suitable for this pursuit. That fish felt like a bull red. My knees were shaking and I felt sick to my stomach. It was like winning the lottery and finding out there was a mistake and you didn't win. However, I guess those are the experiences that keep us going back for more. That makes 2 very nice creek smallmouth I have lost after extremely short battles. I am starting to wonder when I will have my day.
Well the girlfriend called again it said it would be about another hour, so I decided I would check on the section I usually fish. After a quick game of "pick the spot that looks the least snaky" I cautiously made my way down the weedy bank.
I made a few casts, more green sunfish and small redbreast. I get up to the more productive water and make a cast close to the bank. That cast moved something, but not a fish.
He started angling toward me and I thought it was a good time to retreat, since my gun was in my car. He was as big around as a baseball and apparently pissed that I disturbed him. This was the second time I had shaky knees and thought that was good for one day.
I caught shellcracker, bluegill, longear, green and redbreast sunfish in the panfish category. Then largemouth and smallmouth bass. I would say that's a good variety.
I hooked a solid 2lb bass that squirmed of as I was trying to get my camera out. By far the most bass I have ever caught here.
This is what I call my aquarium hole. I have caught or seen about 10 different species in this pool each time I go.
The problem is it is very clear and usually the fish can see you before you get a good shot at them. There is usually a 3lb bass that cruises here. You may be able to see it in this pic: (upper middle)
Another view showing numerous fish: (look just right of middle)
Some water got on the lens in these...
Well after that eventful morning I went home to eat some lunch and rest before I headed to hang out with the girlfriend. I received a text from her saying she might work late, so I figured I would check up on the smallmouth while I wait.
I decided to pack some heat this time for snakes and because the last time I heard lots of coyotes. I admit it's not the ideal snake gun, but better than nothing.
I had plans to fish upstream since I had never waded that section, but as soon as I entered the creek there were some spin fisherman working down. So I headed downstream. They caught up quick and just sloshed right through the water I was fishing as well as further downstream.
I bit my tongue and headed back upstream, after all that's what I wanted to fish. I worked back up to my original intended start.
Didn't take long to get a strike, but not what I wanted...
I kept working upstream and hitting every bit of water I could while trying to be stealthy. Finally, I hooked a fish that had that familiar pull, you know, the one that feels like a small bag of bricks running upstream with your line. He was just a little guy, but he didn't fight like he was.
I kept fishing up, with every cast envisioning that 4lb smallmouth inhaling my popper. I kept catching fish, but not the target species.
This is where it gets interesting (and long-winded)....as I wade upstream, I am having to watch every step as there are some slick shoals with lots of troughs and drop offs. I cast upstream and give the popper a couple of good pops. I look down as I make another step forward and look back up to find my popper missing. I set the hook (like Bill Dance) and I have successfully hooked into the best smallmouth I have ever hooked into. Unfortunately, almost as quickly as I hooked it, I lost it. My 8lb tippet snapped in half like it was 6X. Not at the knot, but in the middle. It was not worn as I had just re-tied. I did catch a glimpse of it and it was at least a 20", 4lb fish. I feel like a 5wt is no longer suitable for this pursuit. That fish felt like a bull red. My knees were shaking and I felt sick to my stomach. It was like winning the lottery and finding out there was a mistake and you didn't win. However, I guess those are the experiences that keep us going back for more. That makes 2 very nice creek smallmouth I have lost after extremely short battles. I am starting to wonder when I will have my day.
Well the girlfriend called again it said it would be about another hour, so I decided I would check on the section I usually fish. After a quick game of "pick the spot that looks the least snaky" I cautiously made my way down the weedy bank.
I made a few casts, more green sunfish and small redbreast. I get up to the more productive water and make a cast close to the bank. That cast moved something, but not a fish.
He started angling toward me and I thought it was a good time to retreat, since my gun was in my car. He was as big around as a baseball and apparently pissed that I disturbed him. This was the second time I had shaky knees and thought that was good for one day.
I caught shellcracker, bluegill, longear, green and redbreast sunfish in the panfish category. Then largemouth and smallmouth bass. I would say that's a good variety.
06-04-2012, 09:50 AM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: northeast kingdom in vermont
Posts: 234
Beautiful pics as usual! Thank you for sharing with us.
Kind of strange - that big Smallie breaking your 8 lb. tippet. It seems like a 5 wt. rod would protect that tippet. Back when I still used the long rod, I used a 7 wt. for Smallies and an 8 wt. for Largemouth and used 6 lb . leaders in clear water and when stained or murky, I sometimes used 10 or 12 lb test and never ever had one break a leader in the middle - always at a knot - if at all. It sounds to me like there was a bad spot in your leader. It happens!
You never do forget those knee shakers Mrl. I remember, when I caught my first Striper over 40 inches, I was shaking all over so bad I had to go and anchor and have a coffee and sandwich before I got settled down again.Definitely, a day for you to remember!!!
Kind of strange - that big Smallie breaking your 8 lb. tippet. It seems like a 5 wt. rod would protect that tippet. Back when I still used the long rod, I used a 7 wt. for Smallies and an 8 wt. for Largemouth and used 6 lb . leaders in clear water and when stained or murky, I sometimes used 10 or 12 lb test and never ever had one break a leader in the middle - always at a knot - if at all. It sounds to me like there was a bad spot in your leader. It happens!
You never do forget those knee shakers Mrl. I remember, when I caught my first Striper over 40 inches, I was shaking all over so bad I had to go and anchor and have a coffee and sandwich before I got settled down again.Definitely, a day for you to remember!!!
