What's Catching You Fish?

I like a float too, here with a leech I posted in the vice yesterday,
20230305_rigging.jpg
which found some nice fish after chuch this morning.
20230305_nice1.jpg
Ya know, the problem with restocking before their all gone, the newest ones get used first!
 
Last edited:
After being stuck on the couch for a week and a half, do to a blown out knee from skiing, I finally went fishing for the first time this year. I’ve been watching the WDFW stocking reports, they finally planted my local spot. So… I tried my hand at some balanced leeches, grabbed my spinning rod, bobbers, lawn chair and my crutches then hit the lake.

I’ve seen a lot of you are all about the balanced flys, and for good reasons, it flat out works! I’ve never tied one before. Black seemed to be a good color, so did casting it into the wind and letting it drift back to me. Hooked a pile of fish all around the same size, 14-18”. Didn’t find any donkeys…. It’s amazing what a little fishing and fresh air can do for the attitude after being cooped up😬 The one pic I took.
6FF19DDF-7621-41D8-8717-022C9BACB9A8.jpeg
Try not to laugh, it’s all I had to work with…. The hooks are huge but made it easy to release fish.
10860768-DBAD-4525-BE8A-1BA89A15F3D4.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Bet you think it's another stocker and leech pic. I get it, I'm predictable. But I really needed to feel the moving water around my feet today, so I grabbed a really fun rod to fish and used my favorite hares ear paired with a pat's because the skwalla's were out
20230308_gear.jpg
20230308_skwala.jpg
but as usual nothing beats the hares ear. Excuse the bass grip please, I had my hands full. Needed that 10' 6wt stillwater I've been fishing and my big net.
20230308_fish.jpg
 
Last edited:
After being stuck on the couch for a week and a half, do to a blown out knee from skiing, I finally went fishing for the first time this year. I’ve been watching the WDFW stocking reports, they finally planted my local spot. So… I tried my hand at some balanced leeches, grabbed my spinning rod, bobbers, lawn chair and my crutches then hit the lake.

I’ve seen a lot of you are all about the balanced flys, and for good reasons, it flat out works! I’ve never tied one before. Black seemed to be a good color, so did casting it into the wind and letting it drift back to me. Hooked a pile of fish all around the same size, 14-18”. Didn’t find any donkeys…. It’s amazing what a little fishing and fresh air can do for the attitude after being cooped up😬 The one pic I took.
View attachment 57047
Try not to laugh, it’s all I had to work with…. The hooks are huge but made it easy to release fish.
View attachment 57051

Those look really nice. I really like the olive one with the black head. Do you fish droppers off of the balanced shank? I played with that idea a few years ago but never got around to test it much.
 
Those look really nice. I really like the olive one with the black head. Do you fish droppers off of the balanced shank? I played with that idea a few years ago but never got around to test it much.

Thanks!

Honestly this is the first time I’ve ever fished a balanced leech or tied one for that matter. And I’m ashamed to say I didn’t use a fly rod 😂
 
Bet you think it's another stocker and leech pic. I get it, I'm predictable. But I really needed to feel the moving water around my feet today, so I grabbed a really fun rod to fish and used my favorite hares ear paired with a pat's because the skwalla's were out
View attachment 57086
View attachment 57087
but as usual nothing beats the hares ear. Excuse the bass grip please, I had my hands full. Needed that 10' 6wt stillwater I've been fishing.
View attachment 57088
Yessssssiirrrrrr!!! Bet that woke you up
 
@Tom Butler I really like the #3 10' Carbon XL getting used to mix it up. I use mine in the salt and many other places it was not intended to, it is a killer rod.
I agree. I seem to fish it a lot. It's just fun. AND, importantly, I always find it useful to make the presentations I need it to to catch fish, year 'round.
 
Bet you think it's another stocker and leech pic. I get it, I'm predictable. But I really needed to feel the moving water around my feet today, so I grabbed a really fun rod to fish and used my favorite hares ear paired with a pat's because the skwalla's were out
View attachment 57086
View attachment 57087
but as usual nothing beats the hares ear. Excuse the bass grip please, I had my hands full. Needed that 10' 6wt stillwater I've been fishing and my big net.
View attachment 57088

Nice looking fish. I’ve ahead my eye on that rod for a bit. Just wondering if there is anything you don’t like about the rod?
 
Nice looking fish. I’ve ahead my eye on that rod for a bit. Just wondering if there is anything you don’t like about the rod?
Not to jump Tom, but I own the 9' 5wt carbon and it's a fantastic all around stick. Handles a bit of wind fine, but isnt one for gusts. It doesnt leave my truck
 
Nice looking fish. I’ve ahead my eye on that rod for a bit. Just wondering if there is anything you don’t like about the rod?
No negative comments at all. I run it with the base 4/5 reel. Really happy with the whole setup.
 
Not to jump Tom, but I own the 9' 5wt carbon and it's a fantastic all around stick. Handles a bit of wind fine, but isnt one for gusts. It doesnt leave my truck
Funny thing is I just purchased that very rod a week ago for some summer hiking trips. I also have the 9 ft 4wt and 9 ft 6 wt. I really like rods, obviously.
 
Back
Top