Great Times at the Retreat Lake for Gills

[Jim Gronaw]

Just wanted to ad a quick blog here for how wonderful bluegill fishing continues to be for beginners and pros alike. This past Saturday, April 13, my son Matt and I instructed a basic fishing class for 10 students at a local retreat facility that has a 4 acre lake on the premises. We had a breezy 60 degree day with bright sunshine and set up the students with 10 ft telescoping poles and bobbers/jig/bait combos for some easy bluegill action. Most of the gang had never caught a fish before, but before the two-hour session was over everyone had caught some fish! Here are a few picks...

Grace is thrilled with her first fish ever!

It was photo time for all the students as the digital cameras were out in force!

Group leader Eric totaled the most gills...12 for the rookie!

Our bigger gills pushed nine inches.

Tomie swings his first fish ever and out come the cameras!

Great day all around, with the group totaling 42 gills and Matt and I getting another 15 after the class for a 57 count. Most fish were just shy of 8 inches, but a few of the bigger fish pushed 9 in this spring-fed lake that reportedly holds huge bass. Just a great bunch and a great time! Can't wait till the next class!

[Patricia Ramirez]

just great! Congrats.

[Mark Stine]

looks like some great memories were made!

[Greg McWilliams]

Jim, Where do I go to sign up for this class???? Do I get the BBG DISCOUNT???? GREAT JOB!!!!!!

[Leo Nguyen]

Great outing for everyone. First fish ever and it's a BG? There will be tall tales ahead.

[Bill Wisch]

Looks like everyone had a great time. Teaming up with your son to teach people to fish and finishing the day fishing with your son I'm sure was a special time for you.  Congrats and thankyou for getting more people hooked on fishing.

[JBplusThuy]

What a great day!

9-inch 'gills in a 4-acre pond. You're not in California, are you? ;-)

[LedHed]

WTG Jim 

[Jim Gronaw]

Yes guys...it was a very enjoyable gig for all of us! Linda and I 'pre-fished' the lake the day before and found the gills around the docks, so we set up fishing right there. Interestingly, emergent weeds right around the docks kept co-operative gills in easy reach all afternoon...a great set-up!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Nice going Jim....sounds like you enjoyed the teaching as much as they enjoyed the experience......

[dick tabbert]

Jim looks like everyone had a good time great looking fellowship I know that makes you feel good inside.