BRFishingclub.blogspot.com

Please take a moment to check out my local fishing club at www.BRFishingclub.blogspot.com

Thanks a lot.

First Few Trips

Early Spring.

The water is still a bit cold to really feel the excitement. Just like everyone else says. It's mostly the larger bodies of water that are staying frigid. My Dad and I went out to Kirby's Mill a couple weeks ago and had a really good time even though the current was stronger then ever and the fish weren't biting.

This weekend was a real joy for me. I didn't catch too many, but the ones I did get provided me with a real confidence boost. I even managed to squeeze in a bit of fly fishing from the kayak.

Obviously, its been months since I've gone out with a realistic intent of doing well. I have been talking about it all week with coworkers, friends, family and grocery clerks or whoever else will listen. The weather was idealic. While the temperatures maxed out around the low 70's, the sun kept me in the 80's and provide a bit of burn. The current was slow on Saturday and even slower on Sunday. The water temp still felt like it was in the low 50's or so but the clarity was better than it has been in a while, maybe too clear.

I have been going out with 4 rods over the past weeks. No, I don't always use all 4, but as Dad says, "the fan's expect it". I rig them from top to bottom, heavy to light. One always wears a weightless Texas rig, on always has a crank of some sort and the other two depend on the conditions. This weekend it was a jig and soft swim bait.

Up at the Barton Run dam, the bass haven't been hanging out there all day as usual. I heard some reports from passers by about catching a few up that way, but haven't cashed in on it myself. Casting into the swells with the senko, I let it drift out into the pools and didn't get anything. I did have a decent strike, tried to set the hook, but just ended up with a lure-less line. I assumed my knot must have been half-assed or the line was worn to the breaking point. I let myself drift away front the dam and down the bank. The swim bait landed right at the shore line in between leaf-less bushes time and again and swam back to me like a champ. I was particularly happy about that simply because it was on one of the bait casting set ups and proved that my casting accuracy is actually improving. It was a good thing I was using that heavier rob, because the strike I got was furious. I moved the rod tip left and right to chase the fish. He was fighting hard and aster I caught a brief glimpse I figured out this was a pretty monstrous pickerel. Once at my side, I was ready to lift the line out of the water and prepared my lippers even though these thin nosed punks typically jump off the hook as soon as you give them a chance. Good thing for me he was hooked in the corner of his mouth and the barb was doing its thing on some strong cartilage. I lifted that big guy out and was happy to see he was well over two feet long. I've never actually landed one this big before. It was a lot of fun. As I was moving him for a quick picture, I noticed something else about him. He was a theif. This big guy had stolen that Senko from me earlier. I could see the tiny tail end of it coming out of his throat. Good thing for him the Yammamoto people make degradeable plastics. I actualy heard that they're even a good source of protien. I've debated eating some.

My other note-worthy catch was a fat bass on Saturday. She wasn't too aweful long, but had a decent buddah belly sticking out that made her feel like real trophy. this was a senko into some flower pedals that had pooled up in a shallow corner.

Apart from a nice 'sunglasses' style tan on my temples, the rest of the weekend was simply a relaxing drift in the kayak. Sunday afternoon I decided to bring the flyrod across the street and try my hand at casting it from the boat. It worked out rather well if I do say so myself. It didn't take too long to becaomoe proficient at undoing the tangles in the line. And my casting wasn't too poor either. I lost only two flys. And broke just one. The big hitters on the fly rod were the crappie that just love playing with the little hooks. I did catch one small bass and was happy to add him to my list of firsts.

All in all a wonderfull Easter weekend. I got some fish, some fun and even some quality time with my family.

Next weekend might not be too much fishing. the garage is in severe need of cleaning and organization.

New years day.

Why go fishing on New Years Day? Because I can. Why go to Kirby's Mill? Because my launch at Barton Run is frozen.

31 degrees at 7:00am. The temperature is going up about one degree every 15 minutes while I get ready and drive. I hope the WaWa I pass will be open. And it is. One more new years wish speant well.

Now if only this haze could burn off in the next hour, I'd be all set. The weather does call for partly sunny with the high in the low 40's.




Kirby's is only a bit frozen. I figure I can skid the boat across this small bit of ice. Then, worse case scenerio, call someone to pull me back across it later. It should be worth it. Right?
Right. Bad idea. The water in this side of the mill is very low. Below the ice is mud. I don't feel like getting stuck in that.
I'm going to the other side. I've never fished there before and don't have the highest of hopes. But I can get to the water easily.

Ok. Screw that. Less than an hour there was enough. The creek was blocked by fallen limbs around the first bend. I couldn't get far enough away from the dam to start fishing and stop white-water kayaking.
Back in the car my coffee is still warm. I'm going to head back to Barton Run and see if there is any chance of getting in there.

I get back to Barton Run and take a few shots at shore fishing from the dam and down by the non-frozen side of the bridge. I didn't catch anything but convinced myself I got a bite or two.
I decide to go home.

After some chores and some family time, it's suggested that I go back out. I decide to attempt getting the kayak into Barton Run near the bridge. There were a few spots that I saw as possible portage earlier. They just include a certain amount of risk that is worth weighing.

I get into the water and fish wherever there isn't ice for an hour or two. As per usual, it's my last effort that gets the only fish of the day. A nice sized pickerel. There wasn't a lot of fight because he hit close to the boat. But he was a big boy.




He's longer than my forarm and just as thick. Luckily for me my arm is not as cold and slimey. I decided to take a picture of his awefull mouth. I don't have many pictures that actual depict the reason for using the lippers.


It's tough to see, but there are quite a few little sharp teeth in there.

He goes home and so do I. With any luck my new fishing gloves will show up soon and the water will be less frozen next weekend.

-- :el

Location:Kirby's Mill