It was a day off and time to go fishing. I went to one of my favorite ponds that has not been visited for a long time. It was nice to see this pond again. I got the canoe off and all the gear loaded into the canoe. I had a 1 weight, two 3 weights and a 5 weight rod with me. I tied on a black fur flailed leech on one rod, a white boa yarn fly on another, a Goldie Jr on another and a popper midge on another one, and I was ready to fish.
Rick:
Thank You, for all the articles you have written…
In a way, everytime I read one of the articles you have written for the Panfish Column, I am there with you, even though you cannot see me!
~Parnelli
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. 
Mighyt be, but I usually don’t have a way to keep the fish alive, to transport.
More important to leave a fish that size in the pond than to have a record.
Rick