A quiet evening to reflect

Was on the pond August 23, decided to fish with the light rod old Scientific Anglers System 6 (glass rod). Atlantic Salmon Bomber. The outfit was a joy to use, it was a chance to go back into time. Today rod manufacturers want you to believe that stiff fly rods is what you need. Stiff graphites make you do all the work but it should be the rod that works. In the old days you never heard of people having wrist, shoulder, back problems from casting. Look at the ads of today Glass rods are coming back with high price tags. Save your money look at yard sales and ebay.

About the fish they aren't huge. They did manage to put a deep bend in the rod and a joy in fighting the fish, almost into the grip.

Friday August 19, 2011

We had some heavy downpour of rain, thundering and lightning in the afternoon. The winds were dying down towards evening. I decided to fish the Assabet River in Stow for Largemouth bass. The water level had risen a few inches. I could see submerged weeds. I fished close to the edges, concentrating on lily pads. From 6:40 to 8:30 countinuous activity. Landed ten bass, one pickeral. From 8:30 to 9:30 pm action turned off. I was prepared to fish all night. The weather was cool and no mosquitos. Two beavers worked the water along side me in the canoe. Slapping their tails, I was thinking to slap the water with my paddle - after much thought I decided not too. They might slap the canoe with their tail. Saw this bird that looked like a blue heron but all white - don't know what it was?????

Cayote was howlering in the woods. All in all a great night on glass Shakespeare rod

Fly Tying Invitation

United Fly Tyers starts their 2011-2012 fly tying season on September 8, second Thursday of the month (normally the first Thursday, Sept 8 is one time) at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA

Fly Tying at 6:30 pm, bring your vise and tying equipment, see what is being tied. If interested pull up a chair and join in, don't worry about hooks and materials. Where can you go tie two or three patterns and take them home for free. This is the place.

At 8 pm for September, our presenter is John Mediga, aka Gillbuster. He is the web master for thebasspond.com

Please let me know if interested or more information about the program or United Fly Tyers, will send electronic newsletter as it comes out. Email me at ajflyfish@yahoo.com

The program is a digital slide show on warmwater fishing.

Night patrol

August 10, 2011 I fished a local pond. Wind from the east, suppose to be west, cloudy then moon light. Fished an area where I had taken a four pounder two years ago. Armed with my Orvis Battenkill 8 1/2 ft, Cortland WF-9 line, Young Beaudex reel and Armand's Hair Frog. I was able to fool this largemouth bass. He weighed 5 1/4 pounds on boga grip. The fish was released to fight another day. There are some people who just fish for trout. They don't know what they are missing.

Summer Time

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Yes you can. In 2004, I was diagnosed with Melanoma Skin Cancer on my forehead. The surgeons did a nice job removing the cancer and I have basel cell type. As a kid we would get sunburned intentionally. We thought it was cool to see if you could peel your skin in one piece. Today I wear sunscreen Ocean Portion sfe 50 and a wide brim hat.

In 2008, I hooked a decent size Largemouth bass on my jitterbug (I do fly fish but also fish the dark side). I had no flash light at the time. I took a photo of the bass but dropped him to the floor of the canoe. I reached down, the fish jumped and planted the hook at the bass of my thumb. The fish and I were jumping around. I was planning to fish all night. I took my pliers and yanked the hook out and released the fish. I wrapped my hand with my handerchief but felt my feet sloshing around and realized it was blood - my blood on the floor. I decided time to go home.

Now I carry a first aid kit and a towel. Enough said.

Favorite bug

For serious fishing day or night time. You need a bug with little interference to wind while casting with an effective weedguard. I tie my bug onn a Gamagatsu Stinger hook 2/0, the body is deer hair clipped, legs are tuffs of deer body hair, weedguard is 50 pound mono. In fishing at night I can fish this bugs on land, in the trees, on piers, other people's boats. I fish fast the strikes are furious.

On the pond

Wednesday evening (tonight) I just had to be on the pond. The river was in bad shape due to warm weather. The place was packed with green weed muck, black underwater.I fished hard. Got one small bass. Sure I was disappointed but then I reflected on the surroundings. My 8 1/2ft Orvis (bamboo) Battenkill did a dance - poetry in motion. I saw a pair of swans, a blue heron. The sounds of frogs. A beaver tried to scare me a few times with cannon ball splashes. Wind from the east, barometer dropping. Rain schedule after midnight.