Tuesday, December 22, 2015

A Pair of Big Walleye and a Crazy Bass

My trip to my 'Bell Pond' this evening started out pretty typical. I was throwing a black Woolly Bugger and catching some nice yellow perch. The sink tip got the fly down and the fish couldn't resist.



Then on a good mid length cast I got a powerful tug. I came tight and within a few seconds was certain that it was a nice walleye. After a good battle a gorgeous predator came to hand. That makes it my fourth walleye of the season, and I was still just hoping to hook one back in June!
 
Walleye are truly monstrous animals. They look exactly like a big mean predator fish should. And the teeth, they are even more toothy than pickerel!



I caught a few more perch on that black woolly bugger and I was about to leave, but I decided it couldn't hurt to make a couple more casts with a bigger fly. I tied on an articulated Great Lakes Deceiver and started getting it wet. I shortened the leader down to just straight 15 lb test. I made three good and true casts into the same area I caught the first walleye when a beast plugged it. The hit was bat crap crazy. It slammed the fly and went right at me. By the time it turned I had caught up and made a strong hook set. The water exploded. I couldn't believe it! This was a beast of a walleye! It didn't take long for me to land this monster but It was still clearly a strong fish.



When that fish took off (surprisingly quickly and powerfully) I was still not ready to go. I made one more cast. For a minute I thought I had taken another walleye, then I saw that it was a particularly interesting bass. I have caught a few largemouth with hyperpigmented melanosis before, but this on was striking! IT is not harmful to these fish and clearly this big boy was healthy, so it's pretty much just a cool novelty catch.

Remember, it is almost Christmas. I can't comprehend this fishing. It has been and promises to keep being unbelievable.

11 comments:

  1. "Awesome, just crazy awesome!" Those are toothy catches and the spotted base is unusual. Way-to-go!!!
    Tie, fish, write and photo on...

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    1. Thanks,
      Fish with teeth will always impress me!

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  2. So cool to catch walleye's on the fly. No joke on the teeth on those critters. Amazing evening of fishing for you!
    Will

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    1. Thanks,
      I've caught more catfish on the fly than I have walleye. They are one of my favorite species though!

      Delete

  3. Awesome Rowan!! Congrats on the walleye!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks,
      They are not a common fly rod catch in these parts. Each is a blessing!

      Delete
  4. Fun, fun, fun !
    - G.

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  5. I just wanted to tell you that the white perch are moving into that canal again. They're not that thick yet, just a couple schools of 30 or so small ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for letting me know, I'm on my way to see what's cooking!

      Delete
  6. Very cool! I've never caught a walleye before. Are they strong fighters?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks,
      They aren't particularly powerful, the are beaten by largemouth pound for pound.

      Delete