Fall Bass, South Eastern Bluegill

Hey Guys, remember me.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of Cathy and Dave Hiromoto's company for some fall bass fishing. They won one of my trips at the Tracy fly club.
I picked them up at their motel at about 8:30.
We reached Blackhawk lake about 10:00 . We'd just finished unloaded the kayaks and were ready to launch when one of the lakes regulars motored up to the take out. I ask him how he'd done. " It's a full moon, bit's off." was his reply.
I checked out  the shallows, there was no bait fish to be seen, never a good sign.
With that thought in mind. I suggested other waters not too far away. Actually it was a good size pond well stocked with bass and bluegill. Now Dave had mentioned earlier he wanted to see Cathy catch a good bass, as she did not like bass and that she preferred pristine waters and bass food, I mean trout, sorry. CHALLENGE!!!
Once on the water. I had Dave tie on a Panocher and Cathy a Muddler Minnow.
Dave started the day off catching a good bass. I paddled over and netted it for him and took his picture with it. Mean while Cathy was having no luck with the muddler so I switched it for a Panocher.( Panocher's are one of my flies by the way) A few minutes later she hooked her first bass. This was their first time in a kayak I might add.
Cathy moved to another part of the pond , a few casts later and her rods bending. I paddled over and netted it.I think Cathy expected to see another bass, instead of one of the ponds prize residents, a southeastern bluegill. ( the other prize residents are double digit bass)This bluegill was as big as my hand easy. I believe it was a twelve pound Southeastern Bluegill that took the world record.
It was a pretty good day bass wise for everyone. I set up my old Sage three weight with an olive wooly bugger and started catching with bass as well, talk about fun.
I  was in and out of my kayak, walking along the bank scouting for fish.
I was on the bank when Cathy hooked into a big one,I got a look at its head, it was big.
I'd climb into my yak as quickly as I could and was headed towards Cathy to net her fish,
when a paddle stroke lifted my net out of its holder and into the water. I turned around just in time to see it sink. Note: carry extra net. Cathy's bass got off, my bad.
More fish were caught bass and Bluegill. As it started getting dark Cathy connected to a big one. Her 8 wt was bent into the letter U. Once again It came undone.
But the fight lasted long enough to be an experience. Some times that's all you need.
On the drive back to the motel I asked Cathy how she liked Fly-fishing for bass.
"I like them they fight better than trout" Challenge answered, Job done.
Excellent day on the water, thank you Cathy and Dave.
Paddle Safe and Wrap'em tight.
Rickey
 

Great report rickey,
Glad to see new people into Fly Fishing and Kayaking.
Wish we could see some pictures.
See you at the Delta,
Eric

Nice report. Fly fishing ain't all about trout. Chucking flies for bass is all good fun... glad Cathy figured it out too. Do any fly fishing for shad on the American? That would be insane!!

Z

Not yet, Check out Kiene's Forum their logo is on my page, excellent info on the very subject.

Nice stuff there. THanks for the info. We have a good run of shad on the Columbia but have yet to hear many going after them w/ the flyrod. Will have to get after them next season.

Z