The Braden River is a little known stream near my home in Sarasota, Fla. It's lightly fished and offers pretty fair fishing for bass and bluegill. I use 3- and 6-weight rods with floating lines, 7 1/2-foot leaders and light tippet. Catch most of the bass on poppers. I catch the bluegill on poppers, nymphs and Myakka Minnows.

The river is good on windy days since the tree-lined banks buffer the wind.

The water is fairly clear, so a stealth approach is necessary.

Hank battling a big one:



One of Hank's many bass:



Bluegill beds:



Bluegill off the bed:



Warmouth perch: