On my recent trip to Tennessee, I had to make a stop at the small lake near my parents' place that is my early season hot spot. The stop turned out to be only about 15 minutes, both because I had friends along and because it was downright COLD. Yep, I forgot how bone-chilling the humid air of the southeast can be. The recent cold front had ushered in gusty northwest winds and after catching a fish, I was happy to head back home.
Catherine McGrath Photograph
The crappie are not exactly on fire yet, or were not on that particular day. My educated guess says that the crappie fishing improved drastically this last weekend with the warm temperatures. Hopefully I'll find a good spot or two to chase some panfish nearby soon. Maybe, just maybe, even this afternoon...
Crappie are really fun with a fly rod. They hit so strange. It always feels like the fly is dragging through grass when they hit.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought the same thing, except for once. I had a BIG crappie come out and nail a buzz bait (yep, used to spin fish) just like a bass. One of the craziest things I have ever seen.
DeleteAnother thing that you and I have in common, David. I absolutely love chasing Bluegill and Crappie or Perch for that matter. Like you, I have to adjust my thinking now that I live in Colorado and see if I can find some willing Panfish!
ReplyDeleteMel, I'm going to be trying to find a good spot and am hoping there will be some bass included as well!
DeleteFYI, the two big ones I caught last year were on the Thin Mint.
ReplyDeleteMark, I'm a believer in that fly now. I tied up a bunch for the Smokies but then ended up fishing even larger streamers due to the high water. They will still catch a bunch of fish for me sometime this year though!
DeleteDavid
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video. Was the crappie you were catching stocked in this pond? Sometimes they get brought in ponds in the form of eggs on Cranes legs. For me there is a difference in the feel of a crappie and bluegill on the fly rod, more darting with the bluegill. Thanks for sharing
Bill, I'm not sure if they were originally stocked in there or not but would assume so. I definitely know what you mean about the feel of the fish. I can almost always tell whether I have a bluegill on or a crappie. They feel a lot different for sure!
Delete