Nice Fall Morning for Fishing

[Rex Robinson]

Let the sun come up this morning to knock the chill off before leaving to test the waters.  Took my fishfinder with me since most of my shallow spots that have been holding fish are not producing since the temps have dropped.  Decided to troll a spoon tipped with a curly tail grub as this has produced well in this little lake in the past.  I had paddled into some water that was 15 ft deep and started seeing fish and balls of bait fish on my finder.  The spoon did it's job and instantly found what was down there.Most were this size and I would pick one up when I swam the spoon through the school of bait fish.  Never found any around structure as they seemed to be following the moving schools of bait fish.   Tried a few other of my favorite spots in the lake and caught a few of these on my fly rod.Even this big monster that had me scrambling for the netReally like fishing this lake this time of years as I often have it all to myself.  It is a small lake and  has a lot of shore line structure in various depths and since it is small I seem to take my time and fish every spot more thoroughly.  I have caught some of my largest gills out of here .It has a healthy  balance of bass, gills, red ears, catfish and crappie.  I've had several people tell me that they have fished this lake several times and not caught anything.  But these same people scoff at using light tackle and especially a fly rod.  I use these techniques and have had great success here.  Catfish in this lake will inhale a black leech fly.  Gills will destroy a hopper or willow fly emerger.  Bass smash a popper and small crank baits.  Red ears love the dragon fly patterns  and  crappie take spoons and spinners.  So I guess I'll just have to keep shaking my head in agreement when they tell me there's nothing in here, and just keep this little jewel to myself

[JBplusThuy]

Just looking at that gives me a nice, peaceful feeling on a rainy day in the bay area :-) I know a pond near my house that has a load of those little LMB, too, and they're so aggressive they really interfere with bluegill fishing LOL. The LMB spawn must have been great there this year, I've never seen so many. Loads of bluegill, too, but small. I've never taken caught anything larger than 6" there.

[Vince Fusco]

What a beautiful setting, Rex. I fish this small lake that is very clear, and have had people tell me the fishing there is not very good. This lake calls for very small baits fished on the bottom for the good gills. 

[John Grider]

Being out on the water in a place like that, on a morning like that makes catching fish just a bonus!