I don’t target Bass, but in some of the waters I fish, they are there. Several years ago, I landed a nice 20+" out of Quail Creek…ON A 4 WEIGHT! Accident, but I netted it.
This weekend I was at the Fly Tying Expo in IF. Got done tying around 3:00 so headed over to my Nephew’s. We grabbed our gear and headed to the Power Plant bye Shelly Truck Stop. I tied on Mr. Ugly on a 7 1/2’ leader and an indicator right at the end so a full 7 1/2’ deep. For some reason I had 4 lb tippet on this 6 wt. Windcutter line (I think from last year at Mack’s Inn…wanted to just try the line thing)
Anyway, I remembered that after I had cast it out. Nothing, so I cast again. This time indicator went down. I held fast and got the line to the reel. No head shaking, but it wanted to stay down. I am thinking Carp at this point and realized I have to play it with that dang tippet!. FINALLY it came to the surface and did a tail dance. I yelled at my Nephew across the river, “Is there Bronze Backs in here?” He yelled back, Yes, why?" He then noticed my bend 6 wt. I got it up on the rock in the river I was perched on, and grabbed my tape. 19" Smallie…WAHOO! He yelled to keep it so, I reached to lip it and she threw the hook into the palm of my hand. Without thinking I pulled the hook out and realized the fish was no longer hooked. She didn’t either for a minute…but then smelled the freedom fresh air and took off.
Oh well, still a blast and now I know there are bass in the Snake in Idaho Falls. I knew they were down by American Falls, but looks like they are heading north. Good Stuff, that there
Great report; nice when skill meets luck and preparation.
Joni -
Enjoyed meeting you and watching you tie at the Expo.
Glad you got some time on the water while you were up here - and had a delightful surprise while you were at it.
John
Nice post, glad you got that nice fish. Thanks for sharing that with us. 
John, you made my day stopping by. Did you see me on the news? I was told I was on there. Amazing the attention those #32’s get LOL
Stay in touch, we will be up there much more now that it is getting warmer. Well okay, it is suppose to be getting warmer. What is with this 24 degrees crap!:mad:
Way to go Joni! Yep, there’s bronzebacks in there. They planted them in Gem Lake, below town, several years ago. Most of the locals don’t even know they’re there. They don’t get targeted very much, because most everybody is trout fishing. They planted sturgeon just upstream from there this summer, so you’d better get your 12 weight tuned up, and upsize that piece of lint that you’re calling a fly.
I enjoyed bumming around the Idaho Expo with your husband, while you were basking in the lights of the camera.
It was a great show, with massively talented people demonstrating. I don’t know all the dignitaries that were there, but some of them were Dave and Emily Whitlock, Jim Teeny, Jay Buckner, Mike Lawson, Jack Dennis, and many others I can’t bring to mind. Charles Jardine came all the way from England to be the keynote speaker, which was a treat. I, for one, appreciate the support that is brought to the streams of this area, by the people attending this Expo.
John Scott!! I probably squeezed by you several times, while traversing the aisles, but didn’t connect. Did you see any other FAOL’ers at the show? I know they’re lurking around out there somewhere.
There are no bass in Idaho!
Lew, it was great hooking up with you again. Hubby, enjoyed walking and talking with you. You coming down here for the first weekend of MAY show?
Joni -
Yes, I did see you on the news. Along with several other well-known tiers.
I felt bad that you guys couldn’t get out on the South Fork with me, but felt better after reading about your bass. You really do need to get some time up here before the irrigation season to do some wade fishing in places that rock. ( Just as a teaser, see my report on the South Fork for 4-18 !! )
Lew -
You left out Bruce Staples, Buck Goodrich, Tom Banyas, Gary Barnes, and Bob Jacklin, just to name a few more of the great tyers from this area.** Jim Schollmeyer and some others from out of the area whom I do not know. If I had stayed around longer, I’d have more names to add to the list - but I had to go fishing.
Gary, aka gbflytyer from ririe, was showing off his new bamboo rod from Sweetwater - 8’3" for 4 wt, as I recall. That is one beautiful rod.
John
** I’d add Kelly Glissmeyer to the list, but he’d be embarrassed.
Six weight???
You didn’t fish your pretty new green five weight???
It’s 47 here!!! There is still snow in the yard, but I was just out cleaning out some flower beds!
I drove by a near by lake last night, but there wasn’t any sign of the ice melting. It is supposed to be in the 50s all week so it should start melting before long.
Good job on the 19 incher!
Joni- Looks like I’ll be hung up around home until about the third week-end in May. I hope to chase some bass in Pelican sometime around then, but it remains to be seen. Hope the ice is off by then. Lets cook up a trip!
John- I knew I was leaving out a bunch of the “Renown” when I started naming names. I worked in the same area with Buck Goodrich and Bruce Staples for many years. Both great assets to the sport, and fine individuals. Bruce owes his life to me you know. We played on different teams in a company fast pitch softball league years ago, and when our pitcher didn’t show up, they made me pitch. He’s lucky I hit him in the shins, instead of the head. I was fast and wild. It was a great 15th anniversary of the Expo. and it keeps getting better each year.
No pretty little green, but a pretty RED!