Richmond Mill--World class bluegill fishery.

[Bruce Condello]

Let me start by saying that I could make this blog post go on forever. I just came back from the best bluegill fishing of my life, so I'm a little fired up.

I'll try to keep it short.

Richmond Mill Lake is in North Carolina. It's a private, managed fishery that world-renowned pond and lake manager Bob Lusk has been in charge of.

Jim Morgan is the owner. He recognizes beauty and opportunity when he sees them, and he wanted to turn this lake into the best of it's kind.

So he hired Bob Lusk.

The original goal was to create a world-class largemouth bass fishery, and they're well on their way. The largemouth frequently exceed 5 pounds. The sky's the limit.

But something happened along the way.

Giant bluegill started showing up. Bass anglers were catching them on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

I saw some pictures of them and about lost my mind. I had Bob contact Jim in the hopes that we could feature some of these fish on this website, and they graciously complied. A couple of the photos of RM bluegill were the most popular ever on this site. Lots of eyebrows were raised.

Jim Gronaw, who is a prodigious outdoor writer, and bluegill enthusiast hinted that he might like to know more about this amazing lake. So I contacted Jim Gronaw, Bob Lusk and Jim Morgan and we decided to collaborate on some articles to expose the public to a place where a person could go to have a legitimate shot at two pound bluegills.

This blog will temporarily be open only to Lusk, Gronaw, Morgan, myself and others who have personally enjoyed this lake. We'll take turns commenting on some of our experiences. Keep in mind that many of the best photos and information will be saved for an upcoming article in "In-Fisherman" magazine. There are some pictures that are even more staggering that need to be held back for now. :-)



Stay tuned.

[Greg Clusiau]

Holy smokes!

[Bruce Condello]

This fish was 2-2, and the biggest I caught was 2-6.

[John H. Magurean]

WOW, that is one fine bluegill !!! Tell us what the weight was and what it was caught on. Looking forward to the In-Fisherman article. How about posting more pictures from RM Lake. I am going to reread the article in Pond Boss Magazine about Richmond Mill Lake!

[10.5" RES Sharon]

I don't see anywhere where you posted how much that fish weighed.

[Bruce Condello]

I was thinking of doing a blog on just that question, Jason.

Give me a little time and I'll try to put something together.

[Jason Firkus]

AWSOME POST AND PIC BRUCE! ANY TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE QUALITY PICTURES LIKE MANY OF THE ONES YOU ARE IN?

[Bluegill Chaser]

That is such an amazing fish. Did you by chance weight it? What is the fee for fishing on that private lake?

[Bruce Condello]

Thanks! I'll take 'em any way I can get 'em. :-)

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

WOW, that fish is bigger than your head, did you get a chance to taste any of them?

[Steve Crowder]

What a great story and experience Bruce. Glad you got to enjoy such a beautiful place. Been looking for such a place myself since moving north (North Caolina). I live about an hour and a half from Rockingham. Since Richmond Hill is private, do they allow the fishing public access? Thanks.