Fly Fishing Size Don't Matter

Got up this morning and looked out the bedroom window. Yup, its snowing good in Northern Colorado. Also, supposed to be heavy snow this weekend and cold. Sounds like a perfect time to stay indoors and tie flies, read a good fly fishing book, or watch fly fishing video's if you have nothing else to do and honey-do's can wait. So, I am going to do something here that is sort of out of the normal for me. I came across a video that I liked pertaining to fly fishing warm water and rivers in particular for warm water fish. I thought it was very well done and set the mood for me this morning. Hope you enjoy.
**** A thank you should go to David Frazier for sharing this great video!

The "Bug"

I have been busy with thoughts of fly fishing and a mis-guided trip for Crappie due to weather.  Funny how strong winds and pelting rain seem to come up at the most in-appropriate times for fly fisher folk.  Really, all it did, was stoke me for the next trip on the water.  So, in any event, thought I would tell you about The "Bug".

This is a picture of my Granddaughter, Jozee.  She will be, for the purposes of this post, affectionately referred to as The "Bug".

 Now, this picture of The "Bug" was taken several years ago in a Fly shop and Outfitters store in West Yellowstone.  I think this is about the time Grandpa started calling her The "Bug".  See she followed me around the fly shops of West Yellowstone, bugging me and keeping count of Grandpa's dollars.  She made sure that when I finished purchasing my fly shop goodies that I had enough money left over for an ice cream cone.  She certainly fit right in the shop decor.

One of the great things about The "Bug" is, that as a young girl being around Grandpa and other family members who fished, she took an early interest in fishing.  Now, I don't mean to toot my horn here, but The River Damsel, better be aware that there is another generation of River Damsels on the way.  Here is a fairly recent picture of The "Bug" about to hit the fishing road.

Now, The "Bug", stalks the ponds with Grandpa and other family members these days.  She is still learning the fishing ropes and maybe one day will get after them with a fly rod, too.  She is quite proficient at catching Bluegill, Sunfish, and other Perch type.  Here is a picture from just this weekend of her fish catching skills at a local lake.

Ok, so The "Bug" has caught her fair share of fish lately.  She would like me to post all of her pictures, but, I reminded her I wasn't writing a book here just a blog post.  "Grandpa, she asked, you should be sure and tell them about the fish me and my brother caught at the same time." I told her that I probably shouldn't tell that story, the one where her brother fishing one line and The "Bug" fishing a totally different line both hooked the same fish at the same time.  The one about the fish pulling in different directions and you both finally reeling him in standing side by side.  That one about the dumb look on both of your faces as you looked at that poor trout.  I couldn't tell that story on my fishing blog.  My readers would think that you made that story up.  Even, The "Bug" should know that fly fishing Damsels don't lie........................

As a side note to this post, I wanted to mention that The "Bug" recently graduated from grade school and next fall will be joining her fellow friends in something called Junior High.  As we rode home after picking her up at school, I asked The "Bug" if she wanted an ice cream to celebrate her graduating to Junior High.  She said, surprisingly, "No, I just want you to write about me and put some pictures on your blog".  

Well, The "Bug", consider it done.  What a beautiful young Junior High student and Fishing Damsel you will be.

'Nuff said.

 

2014 Bluegill Blitz Wrap-Up. The Winner Is............................................

Ok, I have been focusing on the fun of the 2014 Bluegill Blitz and haven't posted for a week or so. 
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.

Now, to show everyone that Brandon is a versatile angler, here is winning photo of his fine Bluegill.

I am a brave soul so I won't keep you wandering any longer about the fish I entered.

Trust me, their is a Bluegill somewhere in that picture.  I dropped it in the grass and was so small anyway that it could not be seen with the camera.  Woe is me.............................................................

I think my buddy, Greg McBill, caught it a bit later on.  The benefits of Catch and Release!

Oh, and for those that read my blog regularly and know of Bill Trussell's effort to catch some big Bluegill on his annual quest, well, Bill was a participant in the Blitz and did well for himself.

Here are Bill's fish entry's for the 2014 Bluegill Blitz.

Darn it, Bill, that won't work in a Bluegill Blitz.  That thing eats Bluegills, anyway!

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.

That is almost (10") of a brute Bluegill.  So, Bill knows Bluegill.........................................

I am already looking forward to the 2015 Bluegill Blitz.  Have fun Bluegill anglers.

The 2014 Bluegill Blitz!

One of the really good things that I can say about my time over on Facebook is that I have met and communicated online with a number of really good people.  These folks have shared a love for a number of things we have in common.  For example, Warm Water Fly Fishing Group that I joined has a great group of guys and gals who share their love for warm water fly fishing.  Lots of pictures of successful fishing trips and a flow of good ideas to keep one interested in warm water fly fishing. 

One of the great things the Warm Water Fly Fishing Group has spawned is the 2014 Bluegill Blitz.
Fellow Colorado warm water fly fisherman,  John Doddridge, has came up with a great idea for some online fun combined with fly fishing for the ever popular, Bluegill!  After you have clicked on the links and read about the 2014 Bluegill Blitz then take a minute and consider if you would like to  participate.  Fly Fishing, Fun, Bluegills, Pictures, Good Times, Meet New Online Friends, what do you have to lose.  Hope you check it out!

Ok, there are a few rules.  Yea, rules, but even those are simple and fun.
Official Rules:
1) Bluegills and Sunfish of all types are allowed. Not allowed are LM Bass, SM Bass, Carp, Drum, Catfish, Warmouth, Crappie. You get the point. Cheaters will be MOCKED!
2) You may submit ONE picture of your LONGEST fish. In the picture you must clearly show the length, and your ID number. 
3) All anglers must be signed up by 5pm on April 30th. ID numbers will be issued between 6pm and midnight on April 30th through a PM sent to each anglers competing.
4) Pictures may be submitted on the Warm Water Fly Fishing page anytime on Sunday May 18th.
5) All fish must be caught using a Fly Rod, Fly Reel, and Fly.
This is for The Warm Water Fly Fishing page Bragging Rights Only.

That's it. Send me John Doddridge a personal message if you want in and I will add you to the list. You must be on the list by 5pm April 30th. Otherwise contact me at johndoddridge81@gmail.com

Bluegill fishing time is here!

Maybe Someday My Sunfish Will Grow Up

Do I love fly fishing for Sunfish, Bluegill, Crappie? Of course, I do! That is why I am known as the Pond Stalker.  I mean what a wonderful relaxing way to spend a few hours on the pond catching fish after fish on a good day.  I love it because just as my blog header says, I like to keep it simple because it works!

Now some of my Sunfish are like this one.

Obviously, many of my Sunfish are much smaller.  They border on the "runt" size, to tell the truth.  But, I love them just the same.

Now along comes an angler fishing on Lake Havasu in Arizona that puts into perspective what a really gargantuan size Sunfish is..

Angler Hector Brito pulled a 5.78-pound 17-inch redear sunfish from the waters of Arizona’s Lake Havasu. His catch may have set a new International Game Fish Association world record, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

Congratulations to Hector Brito!  Maybe someday my Sunfish will grow up....................................

Can anyone imagine what it would be like to hook this big Sunfish on a light weight fly rod?