I'm taking suggestions for Bass Flies.

I went out and had a great time at my first fishing tournament.  Even though I was the only fly fisherman there, everyone was welcoming and we had a good time talking about what we enjoy most - fishing.  Although I didn't land any fish, it was an amazing day.  The lake was glass smooth, light rain and clouds kept the day overcast.  I did see fish but they had lock jaw.  I began with a popper but the fish did nothing but slash at it or stare at it.  Streamers attracted attention but were not tempting enough.  Three was the largest count caught.  Other folks mentioned it was a lousy outing.

I used sinking line, floating line, weighted flies, poppers and articulated meaty bugs.  A bass followed my fly with his mouth right on the tail end!  Even the panfish followed the flies about a foot behind.  Small bass were soft striking streamers as they slowly sank.  I haven't been to this lake in ages but perhaps it was some sort of post-spawn activity??

Anyways, I'm taking input on flies folks use for largemouth bass.  I do fairly well on impoundments but maybe I'm just missing that little something.  One of my faults yesterday was that I didn't cover much water.  I also stuck with a certain fly way too long.  Only 10 fly patterns were used in 6 hours of fishing.

Leave a comment with a bass pattern that is productive for you.

On a good note, another fly fisherman (Freshly) took a smallmouth bass on my Shucker fly pattern.

Prepping for my first bass fishing tournament - fly fishing for largemouth bass.

In preparing for my first fishing tournament, I found out that a measuring instrument had to be purchased.  This is a Catch-and-Release tournament.  Once your bass has been landed, a photo must be taken of the fish laying upon your measuring stick.  At the end of the tournament, your SD card is then given to the judges/coordinators.  Obviously, points are given on length.  All sizes of bass count.

My anchoring is going to be a challenge.  Twine may have to be used at different tie-in points on my kayak for the anchor.  When I have been out and the wind picks up a bit, I may be facing the wind at different angles.  I have had to cut the twine and move the tie-in points as to face my target.  Since I am afraid that twine may not be strong enough and that Beaver Lake will definitely be deeper than other places I used to fishing, rope may have to be used but difficult to cut and tie quickly as to maintain my position on the water.

Due to all our late spring storms, the lake is a lot higher and fishing reports state that fishing is good around flooded timber on the banks.  I was out on War Eagle Creek which was flowing slowly into Beaver Lake.  Since the lake level is pretty high, the creek is backed up and also dirty.  I was fishing chartruese and white flies to little success.  In the dirty water at lakes Bella Vista and Bentonville where there is the beginning of algae blooms and stained water, I had success with black streamers.

Those that read my blog are probably aware that I am burned out on fishing - at least on streams.  I am surprised that at this point, I am still relaxed going into this event.  Chasing fish as I have has come to the point that I have certain expectations.  Well, my expectation for this tournament is to show up and it I catch as fish, great.  I plan on entering several more fishing tournaments and maybe, I might place in the top 3.  At this point, I am glad to join something where I can interact and enjoy the company of people.  Being a stay-at-home parent does become monotonous and challenging.  Especially, when your friends are busy with their families and work.

I've been tying up patterns to fill the box with flies other than panfish and smallmouth flies.  With the decision to close my blog, I almost gave up on fishing for the year.  After a few friends pushed me to stay on my horse, I decided to take my fishing a different direction.  I mean, how many years can you keep chasing smallmouth bass without it becoming tiring.

This is Rouse's Poodle, a trout fly used to chase browns on the White River.  I'm gonna chuck it at bass.

This is also Rouse's Poodle.  I want something that's big and has movement and is weighted.  I will take my full sink line but prefer floating line.

I still need backing and leaders . . . the tournament begins at 7 am and ends at 2 pm.  2 hours have prime  morning fishing are gone by then and the bright sun may be poking it's head out.  There will be scattered showers which means there will be gusts.  This will be a challenging and exciting outing.

Lake BV - Fly Fishing for Bass

I went fishing on Lake Bella Vista.  A bit disappointing.  The lake is about 5 or 6 feet lower than usual. The lake has a dam, spillway and what appear to be a levy.  My understanding is that on of those features needs repair and Bentonville is trying to decide how to repair the lake properly which means deciding on how to acquire funding.  I think they were looking at state money or assistance from Bella Vista.  The lake sits at the north end of Bentonville of which it is part of the city - not Bella Vista - although, I think it was part of Bella Vista at one time.  There used to be a bait shop or two at the lake when it was a part of Bella Vista.  But now, this poor lake has yearly algae blooms and was pretty dirty and stinky.  Unless you fish the east side where the creek flows in and pushes the water northwards.  There is a lot of timber and what seems to be sorts of farm equipment to provide cover for fish.  Most folks fish from the banks and the feeder creek to the south.  My buddy has done well in the creek.  There are sizable spotted bass and warmouth in the channel.

I went to War Eagle Creek and was practically forced off by swarms of families floating in tubes and kayaks.  The lake is full and the creek is backed up and with not much flow, folks were paddling up and down the stream - even watching videos on their phones with the volume turned up loudly.  After a frustrating outing with a few small spotted bass, I decided to find somewhere else to relax.  Yes, relax. I don't do that much on the water these days.

So, I changed into some dry clothes and loaded up the kayak.  One the way home from the creek, I kept thinking of fishing that tournament next weekend and if I could hang with guys tossing chatter baits and flukes.  It's been over a year since I had the kayak out much less fish for largemouth bass.  I figured it was time to practice and prepare for the tournament.

In fishing just a few hours, I caught several bass and crappie.  It was tough going.  I had to fish a protected cove which receives a lot of shade from the bank and a jetty.  The creek channel flows on the far side of the lake and a lot of fallen timber provided just what I needed.  This area rarely sees bank fisherman much less anyone kayak fishing.  Canoes and kayaks are only allowed on the lake.

I fished the creek channel and the mouth of the creek.  It was pretty clear and I tried to sight fish.   I saw no fish - not even those little sunfish.  I worked the timber with purple and brown crawdad patterns.  Foamies presented in an attention grabbing plop brought no response.

Pistol Petes brought a few strikes but nothing solid.  I weighed anchor and worked the edge of the creek channel.  Then I floated down the bank with no success.  It wasn't until I made my way to the west side of the lake did things turn out better.  I actually lost more than I caught.  I tried several flies but the only thing that worked was the Shucker.  I had quite a few strikes from crappie and lost a number of bass.  Partly due to the fact my Shucker only had a size 8 hook.  I tried the size olive Shucker with no luck.

It was fun to fish new water instead of wading the same streams.  I may hit a different lake this evening but that depends on what plans of my wife.  The Shucker has been a pretty good pattern this year.  I need to make some more of the black ones but may have a hard time finding the glow-in-the-dark XL lead eyes.  The past few days of fishing have yielded no bluegills, goggleye or warmouth.  I am a bit disappointed but if at all possible, I may hit a lake stocked with red ear and bluegills today.  With the kids being at home and the summer heat drawing upon us, I hope to hit the water as much as possible until we have 100 degree days.

Tight lines.

Bass Tournament - Matt's Llano Critter - bass fly

In recent weeks, I have thought about getting back to basics.  The purpose is to put myself in a positive frame of mind.  Honesty, I think that by continuously chasing smallmouth bass on the same water year after year has made me tiresome of fly fishing.  My blog used to get several hundred hits per day.  I think that was due in part to the panfish flies and photos.  Once those started decreasing, my site traffic slowed.

Well, those panfish are what I used to love most about fly fishing.  I even sold my beloved Tom Nixon book which contained wonderful panfish fly tying instructions.  All because I wanted to participate in a bit of "Basscar" with some local fellows.  I became burned out on chasing smallmouth.  I didn't enjoy it because I was gritting my teeth and squeezing my rod.  I was hitting the water every Friday and sometimes followed up with a Saturday and Sunday outing.  I was fishing in the heat and making myself sick just to show my friends that I was landing smallies.

Yesterday evening, I went to the city lake.  It's mainly a catfish lake and man where the folks lined up along the banks.  I worked what stretch of the banks as was possible and landed a number of crappie on a black articulated Circus Peanut.  After dark, I took several small crappie on a Bett's popper.

I really enjoyed being out there on a lake and doing something different than wading a stream.  I had one or two solid strikes from something large.  I talked to some folks who wondered why I let fish go and why would I fly fish at a lake.  I rarely ever run into people when I fish.  So, it was a treat to talk about fishing with folks who think it's neat for a fly fisherman to come and fish where they chuck chicken livers for catfish.

Bass tournament?  Yup.  I'm going to try and get up the gumption to fish alongside some bait casters or folks that toss terminal tackle, lol.  I may just pay the fee to fish the Big Bass just to see what it's all about.  I have to get back to basics which for me is lake and pond fishing - chasing panfish and treating a bass strike as something special.  Year of the Bluegill was supposed to take me to my happy place this year but chasing smallmouth bass got in the way.

After the first relaxing outing on the water I've had in such a long time, I tied up a few large flies including Matt's Llano Critter (pictured above).  I am preparing some tournament flies for next Sunday in the hopes that I can land at least one bass.  I have a lot to learn about bass fishing on impoundments.  I've done OK but I haven't spent nearly the time chasing largemouth as I have smallmouth.

Hoping to post some bass tournament info soon.  Tight lines.

Reader input requested.

I'm not sure which direction to take my blog.  In the continual quest for smallmouth bass, I have put panfishing on the back burner.  Hence, part of the reason I am burnt out.  Looking at old photos today, I was reminded of all the things I have accomplished.  It's not like I have to be a fly fisherman.  I've been a bird hunter, coon hunter, deer hunter and a general outdoor enthusiast.  I've bait fished for catfish and thrown lures at bass too.

I've thrown flies at carp but with not much success.  Not sure if I have the patience yet.  Still developing the skill.  But I am thinking of maybe just doing a panfish blog.  So, to you readers out there, what would you guys like to read about on my blog??  More panfish flies?  Smallmouth bass flies?  Maybe a more in-depth look at how I hunt smallies?  I was hoping to post quite a few entries about bluegills.

Any feedback will be appreciated.

Great video from CTD about NFOW - The other White River.

I've been following the guys at Chasing the Dream for a short while and these guys know their fly tying and fly fishing.  Joseph introduced me to articulated flies for smallmouth bass.  I wasn't a fan of them but figured if he was taking those fat smallmouth bass, it was time for me to make some changes.  In the hopes of influencing a few folks to toss a few flies to panfish and bass, I started blogging to promote warm water fly fishing and fly tying.  I'd say these guys have rubbed off on me.

One of the guys at CTD started https://www.facebook.com/SmalliesOnTheFly.

Check out this awesome video.  http://okietroutbum.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-other-white-river.html

Also, I'm doing a give away at https://www.facebook.com/PanfishOnTheFly

Tying the Shucker - warm water fly tying - smallmouth & panfish

There are a few other folks that caught some fish on my pattern that they tied up themselves - including "pjhire" who had a productive evening catching fish such as the one in this photo. thx - pjhire

Southeastfly from Instagram tied up some Shuckers and landed this smallmouth bass.  Makes me proud to share a fly that seems to do well for folks.

Look at the photo below.  Yup, you see that picture correctly.  I have to cut back on my spending from time to time.  It doesn't take high dollar material or a high dollar combo to land fish.  These hooks are about 1/2 or less than your high dollar and high quality hooks.  But they work the same and are sturdy but when you tie up this fly, use whatever brand you desire.  I was using a size 8 but it was suggested to go bigger.  I figured that panfish wouldn't take it as much but  with a large hook.  And they did.  I took some nice rock bass and goggle-eye.  I'm not the best at blogging much less giving tying instructions.  Email me if you need more information.

I've had several people on Instagram tie up this pattern and even catch some fish on this pattern.  The tricky thing for me was trying to find the picture in a format to save an Instagram photo of those who made my Shucker.

This was tied by Phire who I follow on Instagram.  He had a pretty productive day with the Shucker.

Tie on the eyes and the rabbit strip.  Note how the leather rides down when the fly will be floating in the water.  Which mean, fur side down when tied in.  Make sure to use an adhesive to secure the eyes.

Tie in long-shuck estaz.  Sometimes, I will use schlappen but it's up to you.

Tie the legs in front of the eyes.  They will be bent back over the top as you wind the estaz forward.

When wrapping the estaz forward, split the rubber legs - 2 on each side and make sure the legs are riding upwards back towards to hook point.

I have landed a lot of fish on this pattern.  Especially, this year and on the olive Shucker.

Here is the version of the fly I modified into the Shucker.  I received this pattern in a fly swap.  I moved the legs to the front of the eyes and substituted rabbit strip for marabou.  I tied this fly but ther tyer who made the original pattern had a lot of rubber and marabou for the tail.  The current Shucker pattern is the most productive.  It has a longer tail which provides better movement and the legs which having been placed over the eyes will also have more movement rather than being stuck along the body.   Schlappen will give it more motion and a bigger profile that those big fat smallmouth and bass will hit.

I have tied this in root beer, black, olive and chartreuse but some other buys are switching it up with other colors.  I think that movement along with the ability to get deep where the fat fish are make this fly a "must-have" for the fly box.