2023 Fishing Thread

[Plebe]

View attachment 84985
And one of several bluegill it caught.

I'm finding that water conditions seem to matter a whole lot more fly fishing compared to everything else I've ever done. The only times I've felt like I'm really doing well have been early morning, late evening, and just before the rain started dropping today.

Also, barbless hooks are the cat's meow for flies. I don't feel like I lose any fish, the fish seem to hook themselves, and releasing them (and occasionally my clothes) is much easier. Definitely buying barbless exclusively for panfish flies just as a quality-of-life thing.

I haven't really been making real flies. Just having fun slapping stuff together during down time. Here's my latest abomination.

View attachment 84986

We'll see if a little contrast and some bright colors help in the stained water here.

I tend to prefer dark colors for dark water. Lighter colors for clear.

Flies look good.

 

[Ckwilli]

I finally got out yesterday with my livescope. Took about two minutes to locate fish. I caught 25 or so crappie but only had three keepers. The keepers were all 12” fish.

 

[7mmremmag]

Small wooly booger.

Where are you sourcing these tiny hooks? I think these #12's are still a bit big for all but the largest creek chubs. Their were some appx 4" chubs I couldn't get to take the hook in last night.

 

[Nutterbuster]

Where are you sourcing these tiny hooks? I think these #12's are still a bit big for all but the largest creek chubs. Their were some appx 4" chubs I couldn't get to take the hook in last night.

The local bass pro actually has then down to size 17, which is what that is. You can order fly hooks down to 30 online, and I have some Japanese tanago hooks that are even smaller.

 

[BTaylor]

The local bass pro actually has then down to size 17, which is what that is. You can order fly hooks down to 30 online, and I have some Japanese tanago hooks that are even smaller.

How can you even see that to tie it on? What are you using for line?

 

[Nutterbuster]

How can you even see that to tie it on? What are you using for line?

The 30 gamakatsus I can see fine and they are marked "big eye." They thread fine on 2lb test.

The tanago hooks are pre-snelled, thank goodness. I'd need a magnifying visor to do it myself.

 

[Nutterbuster]

@BTaylor, look upon what you've wrought.



I tied that with no magnification under the back porch 40 watt glow just now.

Imma go lay down and rest my eyes now...

 

[Ckwilli]

11 keeper crappie, two white bass, and an 18” walleye were brought home by my son and I last night. It was late when we got in so no pictures. I’m frying them up today so I’ll try and take some then.

 

[Ckwilli]

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[kyler1945]

Makin’ groceries

 

[Ckwilli]

View attachment 85108

Makin’ groceries

What’s the silver colored one in the bottom left?

 

[Nutterbuster]

What’s the silver colored one in the bottom left?

I was gonna say gaspergou, but where he caught it I think it's just a freshwater drum.

 

[Ckwilli]

I was gonna say gaspergou, but where he caught it I think it's just a freshwater drum.
[/QUOTE
I’ve caught drum here but they are usually a little darker.

 

[michigandrake]

The last 2 weeks have been some of the best salmon fishing I can remember. Can truly say I am sick of cleaning salmon. Processed over 300lbs and everyone I know, who eats salmon, is sick of it too. 50+ lbs worth from an after work trip on Friday.

 

[kyler1945]

View attachment 85111
The last 2 weeks have been some of the best salmon fishing I can remember. Can truly say I am sick of cleaning salmon. Processed over 300lbs and everyone I know, who eats salmon, is sick of it too. 50+ lbs worth from an after work trip on Friday.

On my list of a La carte foods, raw salmon comes in at number 3:

Fried egg with runny yolk

Peanut butter ice cream

Raw salmon

Ribeye spinalis (the cap)

Wild oyster mushrooms from Mississippi River willow brake




Number 3 and 4 have cost me a lot of money. Maybe I need to come hang out with you for a salmon run and eat 50lbs of it to cure me!

 

[kyler1945]

I was gonna say gaspergou, but where he caught it I think it's just a freshwater drum.

What’s the silver colored one in the bottom left?

Yup - when I talk to my dad, or my fishin buddies down the bayou, that’s a gaspergou.

When I talk to the people here on the lake, it’s a drum.

Man, gaspergou is a fun word to say…

 

[7mmremmag]

Cured my hangover on the river at first light yesterday morning. Couple decent smallies on an old CP Swing #5 (brass).

 

[BTaylor]

@BTaylor, look upon what you've wrought.

View attachment 85090

I tied that with no magnification under the back porch 40 watt glow just now.

Imma go lay down and rest my eyes now...

I bet they eat the crap outta that one.

 

[7mmremmag]

The local bass pro actually has then down to size 17, which is what that is. You can order fly hooks down to 30 online, and I have some Japanese tanago hooks that are even smaller.

Thanks.

Found some tiny gamakatsu's on amazon, I had looked before and must of missed them.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

It was a 1-fish night, but the one was worth it! 2nd best northern for me at 34". So excited I forgot to weigh it before releasing, but she was extra girthy. I'm guessing 10 lbs+. I know they get a lot bigger, but...for me, this rocks!

Best fight I've ever had with a pike as she made several drag stripping runs from the boat. Every time I got her back to the boat I couldn't believe how big she looked in the water.

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