The weather’s been bad, the water’s been dirty and the baitfish are nowhere to be found. So, last night, in desperate need for a fish to bend my rod, I decided to break out the 5 wt. and go down to the local creek for a little shad fishing.
After crawling through the brush with the 4-pc rod and not losing any of the pieces, I found myself on a muddy bank with a massive tree leaning over the water. Swirls indicated fish. Carefully, rigging up with a not too tiny red/yellow maribou creation, I gently roll cast under the tree. A follow! Cool! The next 4 casts ended up in the tree, in the weeds, under the bank attached to a stick and back into the tree.
Finally, breaking off the fly and starting to re-rig, I remembered what I hate about freshwater fishing…tiny tippets…that hair that must be threaded through the invisible fly eye and knotted! Errrrgghhhh!
Give me a meaty Clouser minnow on a 1/0 hook fished on a 6 ft. piece of 20 lb. mono! That I can see!
I tried a few places and finally ended up at the other end of the creek with a nice open pool (held no fish) allowed me to practice casting…sans fly. As I departed the creek, I slipped and fell on the rocks and ripped the knees on my jeans as well as me! Haven’t done that for a while!
Total for the evening: 1 foul hooked bull minnow, 1 pair of jeans and 1 bruised and scraped knee. At least I didn’t hook myself!
And some people think that warm water fishing is for sissies. Ha! Good thing you didn’t hook into any of those saltwater bluegills that tuber encounters up in OH. G
Its always good to broaden your horizons and head out for something other than the usual. Next week will be my first time flyfishing the salt should be interesting provided my charter doesnt get boarded by any of the pirates lurking here abouts.
Anglerdave,
When my now 30 year old daughter Molly was 3 years old, we vacationed with friends in MacGregor(spelling?), Ia…then headed “inland” & waded the Little Turkey with spinning gear for some real good smallmouth fishing. I’d LOVE to get back there to pitch some flies for 'em! Have you ever fished it? If so, how is it these days (27 years later)??
Mike
I haven’t been up there fishing in a very long time. Almost as long as you. The reason is because we now have decent smallmouth fishing closer to home. But notheing compares with the scenry up there.
Anglerdave…Perhaps we should schedule a trip there & see what damage we can do!
Micus…How many times must I tell you that the rare, elusive, extraordinary, saltwater bluegill is ONLY to be found in Ohio! In addition, ONLY in waters known to that legendary guide…dah-dah-dah-dah!..the ONE, the ONLY…OHIOTUBER…available to the masses for a mere “90% of your personal net worth”…20% discount for FAOL members!!..Is dat a deal, or WHAT!!
Mike
Loved your story…LOL
Fresh water lesson in humbleness.
All in all, it could have been worse,although I hope it didnt turn ya off.
Freshwater is a different animal for sure, and like the salt requires many hours of being humbled to ahcieve bliss…only to get skunked when ya think ya have it all figured out…
