October 9, 2022

I caught 2 (yes...TWO!) big Giant Floater mussels today. One was just just the shells. The other was still alive, and I swear it was taking line out BEFORE I set the hook!
https://s4.gifyu.com/images/97ECD7AC...6E89FF8319.jpg

This is my first year of catching Bowfin. I caught 46 of them this year! I read that Bowfin are an uncommon common fish...meaning they are somewhat widespread, but not in high concentrations anywhere. So I'm pretty pleased with my past 6 weeks of catching them. My best day was 15!
https://s7.gifyu.com/images/32CC62D6...F0E0856CC6.jpg

I also caught some largemouth bass, a bluegill, green sunfish..and a Black Crappie and a feral Goldfish:
https://s7.gifyu.com/images/BAD84778...4BDCE44CB9.jpg

And a couple Common Carp as well... one gold, one silver.
https://s7.gifyu.com/images/18101364...0BE21BB8EE.jpg

I saw snakes, frogs, turtles, a bald eagle, white herons, and a pileated woodpecker.

Some nice fish there.
Rick

Nice fishing David!

Dave,
You should post a video demonstrating your technique for catching those Giant Floater Mussels and the fly pattern(s) used to catch them. Are the live or dead mussels attracted to the same patterns? ( ;) ) Great photos by the way.

Dennis

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BadBug

Dave,
You should post a video demonstrating your technique for catching those Giant Floater Mussels and the fly pattern(s) used to catch them. Are the live or dead mussels attracted to the same patterns? ( ;) ) Great photos by the way.

Dennis

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Thanks Rick & Dale!
Great idea, Dennis! Color hasn't seemed to be a factor, but #2 or #4 conehead Woolly Bugger or conehead Zuddler seem to be the patterns they are keying one. The dead mussels seem to prefer a slower retrieve near the bottom. The living mussels...it really seems like a reaction strike, so keep the fly moving fast! :rolleyes:
A couple other pro-tips...They'll often bulldog, fight deep...but catch one in the right mood (a.k.a. a "flexing" mussel), and they will jump, headshake, and tailwalk like a tarpon! So be sure to "bow to the king" exactly like you would a jumping tarpon. :p You won't find this kind of experienced-based advice anywhere else...guaranteed!
The still-alive ones are slimy/gamey. Turn those loose. The long-dead ones you can eat, though. I hear they are chock-full of calcium.