To complete the Lepomis sunfish list above, on fly, I still needed Northern Sunfish. That was a goal for this year. With some help, I was able to find a location near Chicago that was a 4 hour drive away from Saint Louis. I made it a day trip…there and back. I was successful! I caught around a dozen of the little beauties! They really look like sort of an intermediary between Longear Sunfish and Pumpkinseed Sunfish. Very cool
While there, I also caught Green Sunfish, Striped Shiners, Creek Chubs, and a Yellow Bullhead.
I saw this Doe and her fawns in the creek. The doe didn’t like me there. She was stomping and blowing at me. I told her she was safe from me. She wasn’t convinced. So I made a blowing noise back at her, and then she took off up the bank after her fawns.[
](https://gifyu.com/image/SDqs5)
That got me to Flyrod species #79 for the year, 140 on the Fly Lifelist (120 Freshwater).The next day after that 8 hr drive, I slept in, then decided to go chase some bigger fish. Why not Grass Carp?I had a good day at that… I caught 10 Grass Carp! I haven’t caught double-digit numbers of Grass Carp in one day since 2021! There was one stretch in the afternoon that I caught 6 Grass Carp in a span of just 43 minutes! That kind of action is awesome!I also caught 3 Largemouth Bass, 2 White Bass, 3 Freshwater Drum, a Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, and Green Sunfish. A couple Shortnose Gar shook free.
Great job of fishing David! Very nice pix…
Thanks, Dale! How’s your fishing been this year? My buddy says the local ponds there were pretty weed/algae choked earlier this year. Dunno if they still are?
Nice catching Dave. Cool photos. A deer snorter, who would have thought. 
Dennis
I’m sure I’ve been called worse things. Probably by fish! ha!
There are few still fairly clear. Weather has been the big problem. Fishing getting better this fall.
Right on! As it cools, crappies and bass seem more willing to play. Usually caught more big bass in the Fall… all the way until ice-up. A bit larger microjig and indicator for the win!