I've also had days when I couldn't find fish...until I cast almost up onto shore. I would've sworn the water wasn't deep enough for the fish to be where they were without their backs sticking out of the water....and yet THERE they were!

Now...about that 25+" Largemouth Bass. THAT is HUGE HUGE HUGE for Iowa!! Last I checked, our Iowa state record bass measured 23.5". I caught one that measured 24", but didn't weigh more than the record. I would have to think your 25+" bass could have been a serious contender for BEATING the record! That would be AWESOME to have a State Record caught on a FLY ROD.