Now that the Blitz has come and gone, yesterday was show and tell day on this years Blitz, thought I should post a re-cap for all my readers and followers who were interested.
As I understand it, there were over (30) participants from across the United States, who spent a couple of weeks of the month of May plying their local waters for a Bluegill with a fly rod. Simply, the largest fish, length wise would be declared "Master Bluegill Fly Angler" for 2014. All for fun and giggles mostly, but hey, it was the first year of the Blitz. So, perhaps, bigger and better things to come.
Anyway, Brandon Bailes, has been announced as this years winner of the 2014 Bluegill Blitz. Just want to say congratulations to Brandon for his Bluegill. Here is a picture of Brandon catching something other than a Bluegill.
I am a brave soul so I won't keep you wandering any longer about the fish I entered.
I think my buddy, Greg McBill, caught it a bit later on. The benefits of Catch and Release!
Here are Bill's fish entry's for the 2014 Bluegill Blitz.
Ok, Bill, can catch a Bluegill and does on a regular basis. Wish he would share but I would have to travel to Alabama to catch Bluegill like this one. Great Bluegill, Bill, although it wasn't the longest, it was one I will surely remember.
I am already looking forward to the 2015 Bluegill Blitz. Have fun Bluegill anglers.
This was awesome Mel. I can't believe what a success it was. Even with the late winter like spring a lot of us had across the country. Thanks again for all you support.
ReplyDeleteHowdy, John. I absolutely had a blast with all of this activity. Thank you for being insightful enough to be the originator of the first Bluegill Blitz. I think next year's Blitz will be bigger and better than this one. Happy Hook Up's!
DeleteWell done bluegillers! I can't honestly say I've ever even seen a bluegill longer than 6-7 inches. Wow~
ReplyDeleteHoward, those Bluegills that Bill catches are built like defensive linemen in the NFL. I have never had the opportunity to fish for Shell Crackers, but, Brandon Bailes fish was pretty impressive. Did you note the size of my fish? Sure you want to call me a Bluegiller?
DeleteI notice that the winner was a shellcracker/redear sunfish. were they accepting any panfish or am I confused and a shellcracker is also considered a bluegill? Bills bluegill is impressive! I have caught bluegils about the size of that one that greg is holding, lol
ReplyDeleteHi, Juan. As I understand it, the Organizer of the event had ruled that Bluegill, Sunfish, etc were to all be included. No Bass, etc. There are many of these Pan Fish variety's that people call Bluegill when they really are a Sunfish (Shellcracker etc). Bill's Bluegill is an absolute Hoss! For what it is worth, did you notice the size of my Bluegill? I think Greg's fish may have been the big brother to mine!
DeleteToo bad the river is dry and I don't know any bluegill waters near me. Maybe next year I will get something together now that Mark helped take some of the fear out of flyfishing for me.
ReplyDeleteDaniel, great to hear that Mark has made some in-roads into your fly fishing endeavors. He is good at that! I am always willing to help when I can. The only thing to fear in fly fishing are the ramped up prices for everything. Fear not, I am on a mission to fly fish as inexpensively as I can and will be more than happy to share my secrets.
DeleteMEL, That was BIGGER of the 2 FISH I CAUGHT that DAY!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTee Hee, Greg! I think you and I were busy catching and releasing each other's "Monsters". We believe we are Bluegillers!
DeleteI want to join next years contest, very cool idea!!!!
ReplyDeleteRyan, happy to have you come along next year and enjoy all the fun. This is kind of a new little trend I see coming about because of the various Fly Fishing Groups and Fly Fishing Blogs out there on the 'net. I expect that next years Bluegill Blitz will be even more fun and more will participate.
DeleteHow did I miss the Bluegill Blitz! I will have to mark this down for next year. The bluegill aren't really biting, yet. The up and down weather has everything all mixed up. I am also very positive I will not be able to locate such large specimens like those! Holy cow!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Justin. Sure didn't intend to slip this past anyone, Like I said, the Originator of the 2014 Bluegill Blitz "John Doddridge" is a member of the Warm Water Fly Fishing Group over on Facebook. If you have not already, join the group. Lots of great guys over there, and, several you already have contact with. The weather has been my biggest drawback to early season Bluegill fishing. However, that is all about to change. Yes, those folks who posted pictures did catch some impressive Bluegills/Shellcrackers.
DeleteLooks like a Shellcracker not a Bluegill.
ReplyDeleteMel
ReplyDeleteWish you lived closer I would put you on some big bull bluegills that would give your 3/4 weight fly rod a good bend. I hope you get out soon there and land some of those western style bluegills. Congrats to the winner for landing a super size Shellcracker or Redear--thanks for sharing
Bill, really great that you were able to participate in all of this fun. Your Bluegill entry was some sort of brute of Bluegill land. I would love to be able to fish over Bluegill that size. We keep talking and maybe one of these Spring Bluegill seasons we just might have a go at it! It appears we are finally going to get some warmer weather and warm water fishing should be picking up out here. Now to find some bigger western Bluegill.............................................
DeleteThat is a nice shellcracker. Good for Brandon.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kevin, Brandon's fish was a beauty! I, kiddingly asked him, "Did you use pliers to stretch that fish out that far". I have seen some of the other fish he catches. He does a great job, Thanks for commenting.
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