There was zero wind when I launched and even by 1p when I started the paddle back, it was barely a breeze. So, perfect temp, no wind, no clouds. Clear-ish water, zero surface chop. Just had to find fish. I've got the Troutsupport shallowater reds video and it always helps me to get my thinking straight about what's going on given the conditions. I also started off scouting with some of Tobin's lures and got a couple hookups on trout that I failed to land. I gotta say I didn't have to clear the grass once, and there was a TON of it. Action and castability is as advertised.
But pretty soon I found reds actively feeding in shallow water and it was all flyrod from then on. I made legitimate shots at upwards of 20 sighted fish, with most chasing down the fly, and over half taking. Nine hooked, seven landed, ranging from 19"-26.5". One tailer that was easily pushing 30" that allowed me to place a fly within a foot of its body no less than 10 times before it got fed up and wheeled around on it... then bolted. Dammit. Turns out the water was about twice as deep in that spot and I wasn't getting it down. Using a spoon fly but the good ole crack fly produced best. No flash.
I considered it a good day and I should've caught double digits. So was it worth the 7hr round trip in the same day? Probably. Definitely.
Just shy of 20
Around 19
Still flat around 10a
26.5" wouldn't fit in the net
Should I assume there's an obvious reason there was not one fishy inhabitant of this particular small lake?
