Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I made a blog post earlier today about Life, Lessons and the Perspective of Big. I also got another more practical lesson on the fly rod while I was at it.

The selected spot for todays Angling Adventure was one of my favorites, an intimate place I know very well. Most of the time I have it to myself and today was no different. However, I was pretty a sure a fly rod would be a tough thing to manage there. As it turns out I was right.

I've never been real good at listening to myself, however, even though I do talk to Me an awful lot. Some people would say it's good to stick to a plan. But these people are probably sitting comfortably at a computer somewhere or sipping lattes at Starbucks. They have never been here, I assure you. Regardless, I pushed on. The worst was yet to come.

The spot itself is a hike from the road, about half a miles' trek. So, I set out wrestling one rowdy dog, Katie, two rods and a gimpy foot made worse by the wet weather we've been having. I muttered something about, "... forgot to take my dam*ed Aleve this morning..." and pushed on. I'm not one to quit that easily.

There isn't much open space along the banks around here  - and even less along this particular trail. The branches are right in your face and the dog, well, she has a hard time staying on the trail. I keep her leashed, because she is old and will wander off. But every bush and tree branch is a place to get tangled when you have a big dog on a leash. Clattering and cussing and trekking along, I managed to NOT end up on my face in the mud. Don't laugh - it has happened.

With much fanfare, we finally made it to the Spot:

THE SPOT

Looking at it now, Im amazed at how fly-rod hostile this place is. From a boat or kayak, well, maybe not so much. But from the shore, look out! What in the name of Glory was I thinking. But your view is different when the Hope of Catching* is hot on your mind. Again, I persevered.

*In my mind I had some idyllic vision of pastoral English fields, cut through by clear rills of spring freshened water.

Trout leap and clouds dance across the sky in my dream scape. I will probably never get fully into reality when fishing, I suppose.

Setting to my work, two flies were immediately quickly gobbled up by the Brown Water Gods and an equal number of tippets lost. Good thing I tie bad knots, or my leaders might have gone, too. I may be persistent, but I'm not stupid. I wised up quick. This was no place for a fly rod. The water was more mud than, well, water, and the casting space was, well, non-existent.

Nearby, someone had set up an impromptu "fish camp" that I thought might offer a little precious casting room:

THE FISH CAMP

A half-decent attempt was made to make order out of things with a nice trash can, benches and a now full rain tarp. Sitting under that hing was taking your life in your hands. I guess the previous occupants never heard of a ridge pole. What they got was a rain CATCHER, not a rain cover. But I'm certain they meant well.

You can see Katie The Wonder Dog by the bench, surveying the scene for a dry place to lay down. She didn't find one. In better weather, catfish anglers are probably enjoying themselves here. Fire in the pit, lawn chairs and beer; yessir, this is probably as close to our forefather's as you are going to find in this modern day,

But it is no place for fly rod casting, as you can see. The banks surrounding the area are no better, either. See in the background? More of the same.

The lesson here is simple: Know your enemy.

At least know when to leave the fly rod unstrung. I'm still gonna bring it, until I get tired of toting it for no good reason.

By then it will be winter and I'll be done with it anyway,

Tight lines - Hope You All Got Out!

Views: 226

Comment

You need to be a member of Bluegill - Big Bluegill to add comments!

Join Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by Leo Nguyen on July 16, 2013 at 5:36pm

LOL..sure have been..you've been warned..

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 16, 2013 at 4:32pm

You keep saying that, Leo.... :shock:

Comment by Leo Nguyen on July 16, 2013 at 10:35am

Welcome to the addictive world of fly fishing. Just a warning..be weary of your bank account when immersing yourself in this world ;-)

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 15, 2013 at 7:41pm

Greg, you inspire me!!

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 15, 2013 at 7:40pm

Thanks Ken. I am an inveterate shore man, I admit it. My interest in boats is that they can take me to fish I dont have access to from shore.

Comment by Slip Sinker on July 15, 2013 at 6:19am

David... nice looking spot. I love shore fishing and have quite a few spots...most of them like you said not fly rod friendly" that i would love to cast a fly in but cant.

I now bring a flyrod and spinning rod in the car at all times. you never know.

Comment by Greg McWilliams on July 14, 2013 at 9:14pm

David, YOU are HOOKED no DOUBT!!!! They FLY ROD will be with YOU on ALL OUTINGS!!!!! I was told once I would give up my SPINNING ROD!!! I said MAN YOU ARE CRAZY!!!! BUT alas HE was RIGHT now one of these days YOU will LEARN how to CAST in that SPOT!!!!! ROLL CAST and  some SPEY CASTS can be used there!!!! 

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

An Athletic leaper

"Vacuumed sealed for now ,Jeff. Those Colorado spinners are very effective for Trout and Pan Fish…"
16 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Male Coppernose……5/13/2025

"Thanks wag…..growing up in southeast Louisiana I can remember the spring rains and our…"
17 hours ago
wag commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Male Coppernose……5/13/2025

"Yeap it's beginning in Louisiana but with high muddy water everywhere with all the heavy rain.…"
17 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Between wind and the big slow moving storm, no fishing this week…full moon was Monday so things should take off soon.."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

An Athletic leaper

"Nice rainbow on the Colorado spinner…..on the grill or the smoker?🤓"
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Under Carolina Blue Skies….5/11/2025

Swimming the Popeye jig tipped with a pinhead….
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More Quality Gills on a Tough Environment Day on the Estuary…..5/11/2025

"Thanks Bruce….you gotta love it when the hens are quality like this…."
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_3807

"What a brute!"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"The Bluegills far outnumber the Pumpkinseeds in this Lake. Cupsaw Lake , one of the community lakes…"
Saturday
wag commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Yeap ---- Nice lil fight & excellent eating.  "
Friday
Troy Dorman commented on John Sheehan's photo
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Lower numbers of Perch this Year

"This guy gave in and didn't raise his Dorsal tall for the photo!"
May 8
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Me too, little fightin' sports!"
May 8

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service