Post by reelteacher on Jun 9, 2008 18:44:13 GMT -5
Hey there! It's been a long time, but I just returned home from an unbelievable trip to the Bass Islands area of Lake Erie. Despite a slow start, the fishing really picked up later in the week once we finally located areas holding fish. The problem with a lake that size is, there are just too many areas that look like they should hold fish, but actually do not. I would suggest hiring a guide who is knowledgable rather than waste time searching for fish. Dad and I are too stubborn to hire a guide, and we'd just as soon find the darn fish ourselves. Luckily, we had a whole week to fish, and by Thursday we found the hot spots. But if we would have hired a guide the first day, we may have had more success earlier in the week. But, as with everything in life, there are no guarantees.
So, here is my tip. Try fly-fishing at night at least once this summer. You may have the same misconception about flyfishing that I did, the fish have to "see" the fly in order to eat it. Well, this is true to a point. Fish can see underwater with their eyes, but they also have a highly sensitive lateral line that can detect water vibrations caused by movement from other aquatic animals.
Now it is still a mysery to me how they can do this, but apparently they are very good at this technique. Dad and I went night fishing in Lake Erie and it was sensational! I was using a lead eyed purple bunny leech with rubber legs, something that I knew could move water as I stripped it slowly along the bottom. Nearly every cast produced a strike and we caught 6 different species of fish including: smallmouth bass, rock bass, white bass, channel catfish, drum or sheepshead, and white perch. In fact, we caught about 20 fish in about and hour and finally quit because we were so tired! The fish were still biting like crazy when we left. Never before have I experienced this kind of action at night. Well, I think I'm going to be doing more night fishing this year. Give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.
Try flies that are tied full and push water as they are retreived. Rabbit strip flies, weighted deer hair flies, large clouser deep minnows and half and halfs are good choices. I tend to think dark colors work best, but then again, I haven't really experimented with this type of fishing much. Purple worked really well for me on that night, but I didn't stop and switch colors like a good scientist should. Sorry, I guess you'll have to try this for yourself!
Night fishing is definitely not for the newcomer. It's hard enough keeping track of your flyline during the daytime, at night, it becomes much more difficult. You have to rely on feeling the line pressure on your fingers and in the rod tip. Proper timing is essential for successful casting. Also, make sure you are familiar with the waters you are fishing. Use extra caution while wading if you don't have a boat. One false move, and you could fill your waders faster than you can think.
Good Luck and please let me know how you do and what they are biting on! Now, get out there and fish!
So, here is my tip. Try fly-fishing at night at least once this summer. You may have the same misconception about flyfishing that I did, the fish have to "see" the fly in order to eat it. Well, this is true to a point. Fish can see underwater with their eyes, but they also have a highly sensitive lateral line that can detect water vibrations caused by movement from other aquatic animals.
Now it is still a mysery to me how they can do this, but apparently they are very good at this technique. Dad and I went night fishing in Lake Erie and it was sensational! I was using a lead eyed purple bunny leech with rubber legs, something that I knew could move water as I stripped it slowly along the bottom. Nearly every cast produced a strike and we caught 6 different species of fish including: smallmouth bass, rock bass, white bass, channel catfish, drum or sheepshead, and white perch. In fact, we caught about 20 fish in about and hour and finally quit because we were so tired! The fish were still biting like crazy when we left. Never before have I experienced this kind of action at night. Well, I think I'm going to be doing more night fishing this year. Give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.
Try flies that are tied full and push water as they are retreived. Rabbit strip flies, weighted deer hair flies, large clouser deep minnows and half and halfs are good choices. I tend to think dark colors work best, but then again, I haven't really experimented with this type of fishing much. Purple worked really well for me on that night, but I didn't stop and switch colors like a good scientist should. Sorry, I guess you'll have to try this for yourself!
Night fishing is definitely not for the newcomer. It's hard enough keeping track of your flyline during the daytime, at night, it becomes much more difficult. You have to rely on feeling the line pressure on your fingers and in the rod tip. Proper timing is essential for successful casting. Also, make sure you are familiar with the waters you are fishing. Use extra caution while wading if you don't have a boat. One false move, and you could fill your waders faster than you can think.
Good Luck and please let me know how you do and what they are biting on! Now, get out there and fish!
