I have never seen a foot of ice disappear so fast. DBY we had ice. Today I went fishing.
Now, I should like you all to line up and collectively kick me in my collective butt. Had a good one on. Between the wind and a really subtle “take” I just really never got a good hook set on her. I still may have made it but she got around about three old dead lily pad stems and just spit it out. Oh well. I was going to let her go anyway.
This was my first open-water fish of 2010. 17" - Not too fancy but a start. Ended up with 6 and this was the biggest. Felt goooood.
I’m pretty lucky in that I have so danged many hobbies I don’t get the “nasties” too badly. (My wife does ). As I said - I was icefishng until last Saturday. Going to try a different place this afternoon.
The bass have yet to wake up on the little slice of heaven that is a small pond near my home (that, as far as I know, I’m the onl yone with permission to fish).
Pulled several gills out from the time there was at least a 20 foot circle of open water until two days ago…but only seen one bass so far.
My goal for that pond, this year, is to land one of the 5-6 carp in there that look to run every bit of 7-8 lbs…on a 3 or 4wt.
What did you catch that one on? Looks like fish entrails from here…
lol… yeah, a Bunny Leech is a lot prettier dry than wet.
Caught 9 yesterday but nothing over about 2 1/2#. Good luck on the carp. I’ve only hooked one and didn’t get it landed. I also plan to fool around with the grassys some this year.
Going to a place this afternoon with potential for a “big” bass bite. Also some big walleye in there. Never caught a marble eye on the fly. But, I can’t catch them from the couch.
HideHunter,
Your killing me with your pics. I haven’t had a chance to get our yet, and seeing you pull in big bass is just rubbing salt in the wounds
A couple of questions for you. How deep are the ponds you are fishing in? How are you fishing the rabbit leech?
With the weather forecast for the weekend not looking too appealing, I am probably going to have to wait till sometime next week before I can dust off the rods. Until then I will keep coming back to the post and keep dreaming.
TF … probably average 12-15 feet. The bulk of my fish have come in 2-6 feet where the wind is blowing in. I count them down (depending on the depth) and 4 to 6 inch strips. “Takes” were much more aggresive yesterday so I sped (?) things up a bit. Looks like today is the last “nice” day to be out for awhile. We’re supposed to get 2-3" of snow here in the next couple days. I’m not sure I’ve ever fly fished in the snow. I’m heading out. May spend a bit more time on the crappies today.
Only put the shiete on people that I like. We’ve talked about your signature line before and how much wisdom is contained therein. Hoped that I would get a smile out of you over the comment. I’m jealous of the nice fish. It’s all cool.
Was down just past you HideHunter to help the family celebrate my mother’s 100th birthday. Friday we got out and the bass were hungry for a beadhead softhackle mallard flank affair I got in a swap. Biggest was about 1 3/4 lb. Didn’t matter. I got in a long half day of fishing in warm sunshine before the snow hit on Saturday. Well worth the trip. JGW
Good for you JG. Ran errands all morning and got out for about an hour this afternoon. Caught another good one but you’ll have to take my word because my pack with my camera (and my bass flies) was sitting on the back porch where I put my boots on. The reason I was only out for an hour? Wait for it… Naturally - got snagged and lost my only fly :tieone: (the one that’s accounted for 3 bass from 19 1/2 to 20 1/2. Aw well - it was getting a little ragged anyway. Someone said it looked like fish guts.
I LIKE the shirt, adds great color to the pics! Yes, I know Rick was just teasing anyway… :o)
Those really are some great bass for Iowa, HideHunter!
After being outta town for 10 days, it sure was nice to see OPEN WATER here when I got back. Now I just gotta find time to FISH.
Get after them Dave… As you well know its a great time to catch “quality” fish.
I’ve had a couple people send me flies on the “squirrel tail” deal (thanks and I really appreciate it). Here’s proof one of Carp’s “Florida” flies will catch an Iowa bass.
Oh well. I was going to let her go anyway. 
