2012 Central Iowa Fly Fishing Reports

[FishnDave]

Yesterday during lunch, I tried to fly-fish a creek for suckers. I have no idea what kind of "spawning run" of suckers this creek gets, but I did catch some out of this creek years ago, before I started fly-fishing. So...I was hopeful. As it turns out, I didn't see a single fish or get a detectable bite. Bummer.

Interesting spot, though...

[JohnScott]

I landed just the one rainbow, so you did a lot better than I did!

Not so sure about that, Dave. I wandered around the Missouri for something like five hours watching the bugs, trying to get a feel for the system, which is quite different than my normal "habitat", and watched fishies rising close by while I made cast after cast with fly after fly a good part of the time.

John

[FishnDave]

Had some time to kill while in West Des Moines last night, so I fly-fished at Blue Heron Lake. I spent a fair amount of time untangling my line from the abundant sticks along the shoreline at my feet, and from the trees behind me. Pain in the...tuckus!

I ended up catching at least 8 skinny Bluegills, 2 skinny Crappies, and a "fly-rod first" for me...a Yellow Bass.

[ScottP]

Had some time to kill while in West Des Moines last night, so I fly-fished at Blue Heron Lake. I spent a fair amount of time untangling my line from the abundant sticks along the shoreline at my feet, and from the trees behind me.

Dave,

Ever consider a stripping/shooting basket? I made one from a Rubbermaid dishpan with 2 slots cut for a wading belt (I've used bungee cord too). Great for fishing in situations like yours; also does a great job keeping the line from tangling pilings & bulkheads when I'm striper fishing. Congrats on the yellow bass.

Regards,
Scott

[FishnDave]

That would have worked great! Yes, I've considered a stripping basket. Haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.
Most of the places I fish, I don't need one...but it sure would have been helpful that night.

[FishnDave]

Cloudy and cool day today (Saturday). Chased some bass, and caught some bluegills. Blogged the report here:
http://fishndave.blogspot.com/2012/04/dreary-saturday-fly-fishing-4-28-2012.html

[FishnDave]

Caught a ginormous 8.5" Green Sunfish while fly-fishing during lunch today!



Also caught some decent bluegills...this one wasn't the biggest, but it had a REALLY bright, deep orange breast:



Also saw some big bullfrogs, their tadpoles, a muskrat, and this Painted Turtle (its rooting around underwater):

[FishnDave]

Vintage Lake....lunch report for 5-1-2012.
http://fishndave.blogspot.com/2012/05/vintage-lake-5-1-2012.html

[ScottP]

Dave,

Nice fish. I need to take a few hours off from our bathroom re-modeling and hit the local pond.

Regards,
Scott

[FishnDave]

Fly-fished during my lunch hour today. WARM....mid-80's during the noon-hour! The report is here:
http://fishndave.blogspot.com/2012/05/fly-fishing-lunch-report-5-3-2012.html