2 Stepping Using the Fish Whip

20110404

Well, there I was taking some time out to get in some casting practice.  As of late I'm having a good time using the 'fish whip' a compact UL fly fishing rig.  Using my own hair jigs the small sunfish are a simple pleasure to catch and release.  The weather forecast for this week is a real mixed bag and this day was supposed to be most stable with very light winds and clear skies.  Hey, I'm always ready to go fishing, so the weather typically is not too much of an issue.
The day is in the mid 70's with some strong blue skies and the sun is strong.  I'm getting a good look at all the fish out there as the water is pretty clear.  I'm able to find a spot where I'm reasonably clear for both the fore and back cast.  Fortunately most of the fish are congregating near the edges where there is structure along with those floating globs of algae.  All my casts are well within 4 meters.  So it is all easy peazy in getting the fly put somewhere where it can be 'loved' on.

Most of the action is right there upon the initial entry into the water.  A pause of a second or two will usually get quite a few to take a closer look.  A quick little series of line strips will produce a commitment by one of them in short order.  Usually after a couple of those quick strips it is time to haul it out to another location or just to re-present it.  I'm convinced the splash is a reaction trigger.

I ended up making casts in a fan pattern as to not over fish any particular location.  As I made a short cast over to a little pocket of clear water.  I see the line shoot off as a small potato chip sized bluegill launches with the fly in the corner of it's mouth.  I lock the line between my fingers and the little BG shutters as it struggles off in a lateral arc.  Within the that same second, there is a large wake that comes from a nearby glob of algae and a dark shape over takes the BG in a flash.  Then that dark shape reveals a silvery side as it rolls with my fly that was in the BG and is now in the LMB!  I really wasn't counting on this as the pole is now loaded to the limit and the line is peeling through my fingers.

I'm somewhat in a state of shock over what just transpired before me less than 3 meters in front of me.  The LMB powers over to small stand of reeds and a partially submerged tree branch.  I tell a friend who is also fishing near by that, 'you are not going to believe this...'.  Apparently he sees the loading on the rod and offers his support and his phone camera.  As we are talking the LMB manages to get both into the snags and is partially lifted on the snag during one of the head shakes.  It is important to know that this is a little number 12 hook in the side of the mouth on this sizeable LMB.  If that wasn't enough my leader material was some really old recycled 4 lb test mono that I was using as I couldn't see wasting it by simply tossing the stuff from a very old spool.  At this point I was concerned how I was going to free this fish from the snags.  As my friend approached I'm guessing the fish wanted to have it's portrait taken.  It gained enough strength to take on another surge at freedom.  That was fortuitous as it cleared the snag and made way toward clear water.  I maintained generous tension and was able to guide it to shore where I was able to clear the hook from it's mouth.

I did take a peek to see if I could see the BG that it attacked, no sign of it not even a fin.  This was a very health LMB that measured out to 16 inches with a nice girth to it.  My friend was kind enough to snap a picture of the fish for a good memory of the moment.  < When I get the picture, I'll work to figure out how to integrate it with this post. >  The big fish was probably quite happy when it could get away from me and get back to digesting that BG.  It was good to see it swim off and head right back to that floating clump of algae.  Again, thanks for playing.

Not bad for my second LMB on the fish whip.  I'm really starting to enjoy this type of fishing.  It is much cheaper than the other methods.  I also get quite a bit more catching rather than just casting.  I like it!

Since I was having such a good time in that location I decided to continue my fan casting pattern.  Several BGs latter, I managed another cast that happened to land right beside another partially submerged plant when the line jumped into action.  I clamped down on the line and lifted the pole only to have it load up in a straight off run, not the typical lateral pull.  Odd, this is not a big fish but it is pulling differently.  Yes, my third LMB on the fish whip.  Ok, it was really fun but quite laughable as the fish was all of 7 inches.  So this method appears to work for fish of all sizes.  Cool! What a way to enjoy some time out at the pond.