Post by reelteacher on Jun 23, 2010 9:04:16 GMT -5
Fortunately, I had the most fantastic opportunity to go up to the boundary waters with my uncle Bill and fly-fish for smallmouth and pike. The two bass pictured below were caught the same day about an hour apart on a frisky frog popper. It was by far the most productive fly up there. I caught more than 20 bass on it this day, and I couldn't tell you how many strikes I had that were missed! I had several big pike smash it, cut my line and then spit it back out again, so we were able to go over and pick it up after it floated back to the surface. Luckily, those pike don't like the taste of paint and cork. All I can say about Canada, is that is certainly God's Country and I give Him the glory for these magnificent fish!
This was the second fish of the morning! I threw my popper next to shore near a few volkswagon sized boulders. When the fly plopped on the water, I could tell something was there, because there was nervous water just to the right of where it landed. I gave it one nice pop, and water went everywhere! I set the hook and this bass jumped all the way out of the water and sounded to the bottom of the lake, where she stayed for several minutes. I couldn't believe the fight of this fish. All I can say is that I'm glad I had a 9 weight rod and 8 lb tippet! My uncle was able to net it after it came up and broke the surface several more times. I was exhausted after this... and let my uncle catch a few fish while I took a breather.
This bass was also 20". I caught him in only about 8 inches of water right next to the bank. He was hiding behind a huge rock, and exploded on my popper just as I gave it a small twitch several seconds after it landed. I saw his wake as he swam out from behind the rock. It was a relatively skinny male, but he jumped out of the water and cartwheeled like a rainbow trout. Incredible!
Here is my uncle Bill, who is also an excellent fly-fisherman, and 81 years young! He caught this bass on the first day of our trip! It grabbed his favorite chartreuse popper and leaped out of the water about 5 times in a row. I was awe struck, but luckily was able to grab the net and help him land this amazing fish! I just can't believe how many big bass live up there! Ummm, I think I live in the wrong state... Anyone else feel that way?
And then I just think of one word that brings me back to reality...
WINTER!!!!
This was the second fish of the morning! I threw my popper next to shore near a few volkswagon sized boulders. When the fly plopped on the water, I could tell something was there, because there was nervous water just to the right of where it landed. I gave it one nice pop, and water went everywhere! I set the hook and this bass jumped all the way out of the water and sounded to the bottom of the lake, where she stayed for several minutes. I couldn't believe the fight of this fish. All I can say is that I'm glad I had a 9 weight rod and 8 lb tippet! My uncle was able to net it after it came up and broke the surface several more times. I was exhausted after this... and let my uncle catch a few fish while I took a breather.
This bass was also 20". I caught him in only about 8 inches of water right next to the bank. He was hiding behind a huge rock, and exploded on my popper just as I gave it a small twitch several seconds after it landed. I saw his wake as he swam out from behind the rock. It was a relatively skinny male, but he jumped out of the water and cartwheeled like a rainbow trout. Incredible!
Here is my uncle Bill, who is also an excellent fly-fisherman, and 81 years young! He caught this bass on the first day of our trip! It grabbed his favorite chartreuse popper and leaped out of the water about 5 times in a row. I was awe struck, but luckily was able to grab the net and help him land this amazing fish! I just can't believe how many big bass live up there! Ummm, I think I live in the wrong state... Anyone else feel that way?
And then I just think of one word that brings me back to reality...
WINTER!!!!