Bass Season is Back
Our first real summer heat wave broke down and Friday dawned much cooler, dead calm and overcast. The plan called for fishing a local lake that we knew held hungry largemouth bass. It was close enough that Bob and I could get in several hours of fishing and be home shortly after noon. While the day held promise for fine fishing, the calm, moist air also meant the hoards of mosquitos were about to have a field day. Moving fast to get set up and on the water was the order of the day. Quick inflation of my over-wintered float tube had been attached but garage mice and/or squirrels. They must have found something interesting in the stripping basket leaving an inconvenient hole. Sigh.
However, must press on before too much blood is lost. Made a game time decision to switch to a clear intermediate line; should have thought this through before leaving home. Done. Flies and camera loaded. Quickly move everything to the waters edge.
Slipped into my flippers, one of the straps breaks. What next? Fortunately Bob gifts me a spare. Finally launched, hopefully away from the bugs!
The lake is calm, beautiful. Apart from the cottage owner next to the launch spot, we seem to be the only ones around - at least at this end of the lake.
Perfect morning for fishing
Because we only have a few hours to fish, we decide to stick fairly close to the launch. The lake is long and narrow. Cottages line one side while the other shore is natural crown land. We’ll work the far shore for a bit and then kick our way across the lake and then fish the cottage side back to the launch.
Another one on the line
My fly of choice to start was a size 8 black marabou leech with a gold bead. Nothing fancy but it generated quick interest from the smallmouth bass. Bob was using a floating line and larger flies which quickly caught the attention of a 24 inch northern pike.
A bit awkward but its to the boat
The bass fishing was steady along the far shore with numerous fish in the 14-16 inch range, along with a few larger and a few smaller.
Typical bass of the day
Eventually we decide to cross back to the cottage side of the lake in search of bass around dock structures. For a Friday morning, I was surprised at the lack of cottage activity. But it worked in our favour. The hook ups weren’t as plentiful but steady, including a few decent sized bass.
Quiet cottage country
Back at the launch/take out spot before lunch to reverse the scramble to load before the bugs realized what was happening, and hope for lunch. A good morning.
