Post by reelteacher on May 11, 2008 19:26:30 GMT -5
Well, good weather can't last forever. Rain showers this past week have put a damper on the fishing for those fair weather folks. As for the die hards like Moi, fishing has been great. Friday, I went to a new pond close to where my wife works in Carmel. When I arrived, the rain was coming down steady with no wind to move the rain cloud away. I sat and pondered a bit, but from past experience, I knew the fish love this type of weather: cool, overcast, rain, perfect! I threw on my rain jacket, pulled up the hood over my hat, and said "This is why they make rain jackets..."
I geared up my 4wt. with a pink and chartruese soft hackle in a size 12. As I approached the pond, I saw fish moving instantly. There were waves from disturbed fish that were sitting right next to the bank. I slowed my pace and walked quietly near a fishing pier. I cast my offering right next to the pier and BANG! I was into a fat bluegill right away!
My father, Ray Tabert, who I believe is the greatest fisherman who lives, says, "You either have good weather or good fishing, you rarely have both!" His words rang true as the rain poured down my face.
Quickly I released the fish and proceeded to hook several more fish in quick succession. As I was bringing in my 5th or 6th fish, near the bank, a nice largemouth bass, probably in the 3 lb. range made a swipe and the bluegill on the end of my line, then the bluegill jumped all the way out of the water and upon entering it again, the bass inhaled the poor thing in one gulp! I only had 5X tippet connected to my fly and knew I was at risk of breaking off quickly. I tried to fight the bass for a few seconds and my 4 wt. rod was bent into a horseshoe. But then, my fly came free of the bluegill and the bass swam off with a violent swirl. I stood there grinning at what I had just witnessed and began to realize that bluegill were not the only fish on the feed. I was temped to go get larger gear and target bass, but I only had another half and hour before I was to meet my wife and friends for dinner.
After landing a few more bluegill and a beautiful redear that was probably 8.5 inches, I hooked a smallish bluegill and stripped it in toward the bank. SMASH!!! Another bass, or maybe the same fish from before engulfed the poor bluegill that was helpless on the end of my line. I tried again to fight the bass, and this time, I was able to tear the bluegill from the bass' jaws and it came flying out of the water, over my head and landed on the sidewalk behind me. The poor fish was completely scaled on one side and its caudal fin was shreaded. I unhooked him, gave it a kiss and threw him back to the wolves. Survival of the fittest...
As I walked back to the car, I recalled what a fabulous hour I just enjoyed, and how my past experience convinced me to take a chance, endure some rain and have great success. These times are more frequent than you realize. When I have the opportunity to either fish in the rain or stay dry and do nothing, I will most often choose the former. But, I do realize that not all of us fisherman are as crazy, dedicated or obsessed as I am.
However, I urge you, just once this season, go fishing in a cool rain, endure the initial pain, and you won't be disappointed. Fish litterally come alive in this type of weather! So... Get out there and Fish!
I geared up my 4wt. with a pink and chartruese soft hackle in a size 12. As I approached the pond, I saw fish moving instantly. There were waves from disturbed fish that were sitting right next to the bank. I slowed my pace and walked quietly near a fishing pier. I cast my offering right next to the pier and BANG! I was into a fat bluegill right away!
My father, Ray Tabert, who I believe is the greatest fisherman who lives, says, "You either have good weather or good fishing, you rarely have both!" His words rang true as the rain poured down my face.
Quickly I released the fish and proceeded to hook several more fish in quick succession. As I was bringing in my 5th or 6th fish, near the bank, a nice largemouth bass, probably in the 3 lb. range made a swipe and the bluegill on the end of my line, then the bluegill jumped all the way out of the water and upon entering it again, the bass inhaled the poor thing in one gulp! I only had 5X tippet connected to my fly and knew I was at risk of breaking off quickly. I tried to fight the bass for a few seconds and my 4 wt. rod was bent into a horseshoe. But then, my fly came free of the bluegill and the bass swam off with a violent swirl. I stood there grinning at what I had just witnessed and began to realize that bluegill were not the only fish on the feed. I was temped to go get larger gear and target bass, but I only had another half and hour before I was to meet my wife and friends for dinner.
After landing a few more bluegill and a beautiful redear that was probably 8.5 inches, I hooked a smallish bluegill and stripped it in toward the bank. SMASH!!! Another bass, or maybe the same fish from before engulfed the poor bluegill that was helpless on the end of my line. I tried again to fight the bass, and this time, I was able to tear the bluegill from the bass' jaws and it came flying out of the water, over my head and landed on the sidewalk behind me. The poor fish was completely scaled on one side and its caudal fin was shreaded. I unhooked him, gave it a kiss and threw him back to the wolves. Survival of the fittest...
As I walked back to the car, I recalled what a fabulous hour I just enjoyed, and how my past experience convinced me to take a chance, endure some rain and have great success. These times are more frequent than you realize. When I have the opportunity to either fish in the rain or stay dry and do nothing, I will most often choose the former. But, I do realize that not all of us fisherman are as crazy, dedicated or obsessed as I am.
However, I urge you, just once this season, go fishing in a cool rain, endure the initial pain, and you won't be disappointed. Fish litterally come alive in this type of weather! So... Get out there and Fish!
