I hit accotink creek yesterday in light of the steadily declining bass bite. There comes a point where the colder temparatures causes the water to turn over; oxygen sinks to the bottom; bass find deep holes to ride out the winter; and fly-fishing for bass becomes impractical. Trout will now be my primary quarry until early spring. Yesterday morning’s short session was worth three trout: two small ones, and this fat rainbow that demonstrates the ample forage in accotink creek.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Float Tube Adventure
I ignored the beaver that seamed to be circling me as if I was invading his territory; but when one of my flippers popped off and sank I really began to question the rationale of bobbing for bass in ice-cold water. Propelled disproportionately to the left by my remaining fin, I headed for the closest spot to land my tube. I saw a nice drop off that looked like a good point to probe for bass with the Murray’s Strymph I had on. I managed one accurate cast, albeit an anomoly, when a largemouth smashed my fly, bowed my rod, and completely changed my morning. After an extensive fight I landed the 16 ½”pig.
Bass fishing is different from trout fishing (I know this because I do both as much as I can). Trout fishing brings a sense of calm, relaxation, and appreciation for the habitat; bass fishing is pure adrenaline. Landing a 2lb + bass on a fly rod only magnifies the rush.
Bass fishing is different from trout fishing (I know this because I do both as much as I can). Trout fishing brings a sense of calm, relaxation, and appreciation for the habitat; bass fishing is pure adrenaline. Landing a 2lb + bass on a fly rod only magnifies the rush.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Fall Float Tube Bassin'
Bobbing in 50-degree water is more than a hypothermia risk; with the right waders it is also a great way to catch bass on a fly rod. There is a sense of urgency to make a last stand before winter kills bass fishing, football, and many other reasons to live. This morning started strong with continued bream action on my popper wet fly dropper combo. As action slowed I switched to a clauser. No dice. I then went for my trusty wooly bugger and scored a 12” largemouth suspended off a concrete boat ramp. A small, hard fighting bass is a blast on a fly rod.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
More Kudos to the Pop-n-Drop
When you have a short time to get on fish, you can't beat a bass popper with a wet fly dropped off the hook bend. Conventional bass tactics produced zero bites this morning. After trying my trusty white tube and spinner bait, I put down the spinning rod and went exclusively to my 6wt fly rod. In the next hour I got two small bass and about a dozen bream in between. Hunting big bass will have to wait -- this is too much fun!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Accotink
My second morning on Accotink Creek since the fall trout stocking was worth four rainbows. After fishing this creek after several seasonal stockings I note that the rainbows tend to hold in very specific spots. Since this is my home water, I will not elaborate, but the rainbows usually gravitate to cut banks and holes that satisfy the basic trout needs: cover, current, and food supply. Also, the word is out that the trout are in the creek. The pressure is definitely picking up, and not everyone is playing by the rules. Holes with good numbers of rainbows no longer give up easy bites. The party’s over -- back to bass fishing.
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