Yesterday the temp was in the 40’s for the second or third day in a row and the ice was off the pond. So, I figured why not and headed out thinking that, if nothing else I could work the Winter kinks out of my casting stroke. I was fishing a #14 olive soft hackle and a #16 copper john as a tandem rig over a shallow dark bottomed bay in the northeast corner of the pond. It was a text book scenario and after a few minutes of experimenting to find the right depth, was into some feisty bluegill. I kept fishing until I felt my fly snag on something. I pulled a little and it moved. I thought, oh, a stick, at least it doesn’t seem rooted in. However, as soon as I started to pull it in, it started to move sideways. Sure enough, the first Largemouth of the year. He wasn’t a terribly big fellow at about 11", but he was a nice surprise and a surer sign than a groundhog’s shadow that Spring isn’t that far away after all. He was sluggish and not really in the mood for a tussle, but he was at least active enough to eat that copper john, and that’s good enough for me in early February.
Now I can read the posts you southern folk again without getting the twitches :rolleyes:
Bluegill222;
Sounds like a very great day! I don’t believe in the Groundhog either!
You lucky fellow—Im envious. I see by my remote thermometor beside my desk that it is 1 degree outside and goind down. BILL
Nice going and thanks for a “real fishing story”, FINALLY!! ha!! It was near 50, here today at the coast and I alllllllllmooooost, got thinking… “Just MAYBE, I could sneak across the road and do a little bass fishing!?”
But, suddenly,as I rose from my desk, I bumped into “Volume #4” of the 8 volume set of my “Honey Do” lists and that was that.
Glad to hear, SOMEONE got out today, though!
William-- don’t feel too envious. The temp here is back down in the teens and they’re talking possible freezing rain tonight. i was just taking advantage of a quick break in the weather.
Flybinder-- I keep that list on the top shelf where I’m not as likely to bump into it on my way to more important things ;). Luckily the list’s author share’s my aquatic addictions and understands the need to escape now and again for an hour or two. Especially when the Shack Nasties descend like they have this winter.
Jack-- I believe in him, I just don’t trust the furry little bugger. You don’t happen to know any patterns that call for groundhog dubbing do you?
Bluegill;
Groundhog = Woodchuck (Maramota monax).
There is an All Woodchuck Caddis in the archives. If you Google Woodchuck flies you’ll find a lot.
Our temps dipped into the teens with highs only in the 40’s
Glad you took the time and had some success.
My honey do list got smaller when I made one for my better half.
Rick
R-Z. you NEVER cease to amaze me!
Wow. Actual fishing this time of year. Thanks for the story.
Rick,
You made one in your “Dreams?”
Doug 
Don’t feel too bad there, William;
It was around 5 today at lunch and I saw some Gills and a Bass taken out of a tailrace of a warm water lake in town here. It was fun even if I was not the on holding the 1wt!!
Oh man…here comes the snow. This makes it even harder.
Bluegill, I am very jealous. My Saturday was full with previously scheduled activities and I was not able to get away to the water even for a minute. And now the ponds are FROZEN again. grrrrrrr…
Bluegill- I’m not jealous 'cause you got to fish, since I’m down here in Orlando, sweating like a prostitute in a confessional… I AM jealous, though, 'cause you caught a largemouth! Glad you found a break in that weather - hopefully I’ll have my own bucketmouth story to tell, someday…
Now THAT’S an analogy I’ve never heard before. Must really be hot down there. Thanks for the laugh!
Currently in Mentor, Ohio 17d F, Wind from ESE@13mph, Chill factor 3d F, Water condition: HARD, Winter storm warning for 3-5" of the white stuff, followed by sleet & freezing rain as temps rise during the night. Just another day in Paradise. Guess I’ll go back to painting the bedroom.
Joe
how about …sweating like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs?
There are some tyers who prefer the hair off the tail above almost everything for the wings of certain patterns. Woodchuck is a very useful material for fly tying.
If you DO hunt them, beware of fleas, ticks, and other parasites. I think that the worst case of tick infestation that I have ever seen in a wild animal was a woodchuck. Consider wearing rubber gloves when skinning. Also consider confining the skin in close proximity with moth balls (paradichlorobenzine) for a while.
Ed
Tim,
Wish I could feel sorry that you’re getting freezing rain. But, All the warmwater is hardwater here. Just hafta make do with trout and the knowledge that there are steelhead in the tribs waiting for the overhead ice to melt.
I spoke to our mutual friend from your work the other day. He’s planning on coming up to fish the hexagenia hatch in june are ya interested in joining us?
Later,
Don