Post by reelteacher on Mar 15, 2008 15:33:36 GMT -5
This weather is looking better all the time! I managed to go to a new spot last night and had a great evening, as compared to the night before at a different location in which I caught nothing.
The main difference was the average depth of the pond I fished last night was probably about 4 ft. with lots of vegetation and moss already starting to grow vigorously. The water is clear and plenty of light penetration allows for major plant growth in this eutrophic body of water. The fish were there, in the shallows feeding on aquatic insects which feed on this moss and algae. I was using a size #14 green and pink scud. It was the ticket! Casting down along the bank and working my creation back very, very slowly the fish would just barely inhale the fly as I weaved it between the submerged clumps of moss. It was a totally visual procedure as any cast too far from my view, usually ended with a pile of moss on the end of my line. This brings me to my next main tip.
Early in the year, on small ponds like this, you don't generally have to cast very far to get the best action. On warm sunny days, the fish will be in close to shore sunning themselves, much like snakes on a country road. Fish are hearing that call from mother nature as each day gets slightly longer and the sun gets higher and higher in the southern sky. These shallow areas are the first to warm and most life in the pond will be seeking the warmest areas. I've seen fish with their backs completely out of the water this time of year. Carp, Bluegill and Bass all want a piece of the warmth and will generally find it where they can. However, with that said, you can only imagine how spooky these fish are! Your approach should be dead quiet once you locate fish. In fact, the best way I know to locate these prime areas is to see the fish fleeing toward deeper water as I circle the pond. Once fish are located, get in a good position and wait quietly, gear up slowly and deliberately and be patient. Don't fling the fly out there and rip it off the water if you have a bad cast. Slowly bring it in and try again. Remember, you are now in their territory and you are a predator! Be still and quiet and relax.
Once you hook one, the next few are taken easier for some reason. I've always found that if I can catch one, others will follow suit. I think their curiosity is so great that they just can't resist eating something that just hauled their brother or sister toward shore. It's really fascinating.
Most of all, Get out there and fish! It's the only way to learn.
See you on the water.
Tight Lines and best regards,
Dustin Tabert
The main difference was the average depth of the pond I fished last night was probably about 4 ft. with lots of vegetation and moss already starting to grow vigorously. The water is clear and plenty of light penetration allows for major plant growth in this eutrophic body of water. The fish were there, in the shallows feeding on aquatic insects which feed on this moss and algae. I was using a size #14 green and pink scud. It was the ticket! Casting down along the bank and working my creation back very, very slowly the fish would just barely inhale the fly as I weaved it between the submerged clumps of moss. It was a totally visual procedure as any cast too far from my view, usually ended with a pile of moss on the end of my line. This brings me to my next main tip.
Early in the year, on small ponds like this, you don't generally have to cast very far to get the best action. On warm sunny days, the fish will be in close to shore sunning themselves, much like snakes on a country road. Fish are hearing that call from mother nature as each day gets slightly longer and the sun gets higher and higher in the southern sky. These shallow areas are the first to warm and most life in the pond will be seeking the warmest areas. I've seen fish with their backs completely out of the water this time of year. Carp, Bluegill and Bass all want a piece of the warmth and will generally find it where they can. However, with that said, you can only imagine how spooky these fish are! Your approach should be dead quiet once you locate fish. In fact, the best way I know to locate these prime areas is to see the fish fleeing toward deeper water as I circle the pond. Once fish are located, get in a good position and wait quietly, gear up slowly and deliberately and be patient. Don't fling the fly out there and rip it off the water if you have a bad cast. Slowly bring it in and try again. Remember, you are now in their territory and you are a predator! Be still and quiet and relax.
Once you hook one, the next few are taken easier for some reason. I've always found that if I can catch one, others will follow suit. I think their curiosity is so great that they just can't resist eating something that just hauled their brother or sister toward shore. It's really fascinating.
Most of all, Get out there and fish! It's the only way to learn.
See you on the water.
Tight Lines and best regards,
Dustin Tabert