After a relatively early first freeze and brief cold spell in mid-October, things here in Central Virginia have moderated considerably and we are on our way to an above average November.

Looking for a chance to go wet a line, I took three of my sons fishing on Saturday, Halloween. We went to a local public lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The lilly pads were still green and the bluegill were still hanging out at the edges, just like they do in summer. My oldest son used my tenkara rod and was very excited with his 5 bluegills in about an hour and a half. He was fishing completely unassisted.

The real treat, though, was my two-year old son, who landed a monster bluegill on a nymph suspended from a bobber. I didn't measure it, but I bet it was close to 10". I love how my young son tries to "pet" the fish, like it's a dog or a cat!

2015 two-handed bluegill.jpg