Hit the pond at work again (pic heavy)

[Allen Morgan]

I got out of work a little early today, so I hit up the pond there at work.  CalOkie had given me a couple bead-head nymph flies, so I decided to do a “Pop-and-Drop” presentation, with a popper on the tippet, and a dropper tied to the hook of the popper, and a bead-head nymph on the dropper.

 

Once I got set up, I started false-casting to get some line out, then dropped the line to the water to present the flies.  I got an almost immediate strike from this:

 

[IMG]http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3159/20120613bluegill01.jpg[/IMG]

 

Followed by this chunky Hybrid Sunnie:

 

[IMG]http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/407/20120613hybridsunfish1.jpg[/IMG]

 

I then proceeded to put on a clinic about catching fish.  To bad I was the only one watching:

 

[IMG]http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9642/20120613bluegill02.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4541/20120613bluegill03.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6931/20120613bluegill04.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3337/20120613bluegill05.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3203/20120613bluegill06.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4551/20120613bluegill07.jpg[/IMG]

 

I decided to move to the north about 10 feet, as I had seen some surface hits, and wanted to make contact with those fish to establish their identity.  My first cast got a huge strike and immediately hookup.  I realized this was a much bigger fish than the Hybrid Sunnie, so using my fingers as a drag, I let the fish take the loose line out until I had the fish on the reel.  Then, it decided to run for a bit.  I was able to start gaining line, when the fish jumped.  I realized I had a NICE Bass on.  It came to the bank within seconds.  I guess the long rod tired it out quickly.  It flopped once before posing for a picture, and a gentle release:

 

[IMG]http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/192/20120613lmb.jpg[/IMG]

 

I went back to catching Bluegill, with one more Hybrid Sunnie thrown in for the mix:

 

[IMG]http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/1299/20120613bluegill08.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8286/20120613bluegill09.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6442/20120613hybridsunfish2.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/4370/20120613bluegill10.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7430/20120613bluegill11.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4108/20120613bluegill12.jpg[/IMG]

 

After catching the last fish, I realized I had managed to loose the nymph on the dropper.  I could easily have tied the second nymph on, but, decided it was time to head home and get stuff for dinner.

 

My casting is starting to really get better.  I was getting some good distance, probably 30’ at least, and I was casting into a headwind.

 

Hopefully, this weekend I'll get a fly-rod holder for my kayak. Then, it's on! I've got a couple lakes to hammer.

[Tony Livingston]

VERY nice!! Looks like you had a blast!

[Allen Morgan]

Oh yeah!!!  It was definitely fun!

[Angelo C Mastrando Jr.]

Wasn't able to see all pictures. But the one's I saw, you caught some great looking Gill's. 

[Ronnie M.]

Nice report and catch. Those are nice looking gills, congrats. Looks like you are enjoying fly fishing.
Did you catch more on the popper or tag beadhead.

[Allen Morgan]

I didn't really keep track, but I'd say it was maybe 3 popper : 2 bead-head.

[Jim Gronaw]

Looks like a blast to me!