5/22/14


Rule #54:  Treat wait staff with respect and good cheer.  Tip well unless there's a very good reason not to, and in that case, always bring the issue to the manager's attention.


So, my next installment of the White River Experiment was not very productive.  I managed to catch one regular sized river blue-gill:

...but for the most part, the day was bite-free. [Yeah, that fish is only slightly bigger than the lure it its mouth.  So?]

However, this was the first time I had my best gear out--the Pflueger reel and my BPS rod--and I have to say that I got at least ten feet more out of light lures.  I need to have a day when I have more bites to ascertain anything about the rod's sensitivity.

I tried the wacky-worm, a crawfish-style jig, a crankbait, and a spinner.
The day was hot (85 degrees), and humid.  There was a high blue sky, with very little cloud cover.
No real wind to figure into a cast, and the water was very cloudy, but not brown.

I think I had a couple of nibbles on the wacky-worm set, but it's hard to tell (although I can cast that about a quarter of a mile!).

The tiny chartreuse crankbait kept hanging up on it's back treble hook, which was a pain in the ass.  When I caught this bluegill it was a total surprise.

Fishin' Holes

2013

Rule #4:  Always carry a pocket knife--except to school or on a plane.

[I am reposting this for context.  Beyond the fisherman's normal paranoia about others finding their favorite "holes" and "haunts," the folks who own some of these waters don't deserve to be harassed with requests to fish.  I also have the same fear about divulging the names of my fishing friends.]

It occurs to me that although I refer to the places I fish throughout these posts, I haven't described them adequately.  I'm working on a map of the River to show my progress, but I have other sites I enjoy and fish pretty regularly--especially when I fish with Girl I, Girl II, and The Doc.  Of course, I can't divulge locations, for there are still few so well-kept secrets as fishing spots.  If my readers were to figure out, from my description, where these places are, I'd have to kill you.  Both of you.

The next times I visit these places, I'll take some pictures.  For now, this should suffice:

1.    Keep Out Lakes 1 & 2:  In the spring, driving on the interstates around here is extremely dangerous for me, not because everybody other than me is a horrible driver, although that's true--but because my head whips from side to side as I see one interstate pond after another.  When they built the highways, especially the overpasses, the road crews took dirt and stone from beside the road, giving the landowner a new pond.  Some of these have been manicured and maintained in beautiful shape.  If you drove by the Keep Out Lakes, you wouldn't be all that impressed.


2.    Fisher Ponds:  This site isn't really a single pond, it's three connected ponds that used to be small gravel pits.  My great-uncle, owned this property for years. Though he and my great-aunt have passed, the present owners are good friends (isn't Muncie great?!!) and they let me fish their pond often. When The Doc and I were in graduate and medical school, respectively, we fished here all of the time.  We caught many 1-2 pound bass, and an occasional 3 pound.  The amazing thing about "Fisher Ponds" was the size of the bluegills.  I measured fish that were over 13 inches long!  There are still some of those in the ponds--Girl II caught one last year and called it "Franken-Gill"!  When you're lucky enough to hook one of these, they fight harder than any 2-3 pound bass!  One of the most effective lures for these monster bluegills was a #1 Silver Mepps with an Uncle Josh Fly Strip or the leg off of one of the frog lures.


3.    Muncie-Tucky: This is another series of small, abandoned gravel pits.  When The Doc had to greatly decrease the number of patients he saw, he was sure to keep two types of people: those who owned fishing spots, and those who owned bars.  Who would blame him?  One of the best patients he kept was the owner of "Muncie-Tucky."  The Doc and I have caught some truly memorable fish from these connected ponds.  Once, Jeff caught a fish that we couldn't immediately identify.  It was an at least 2 pound, maybe 3 pound crappie!!! Neither of us had ever seen one that large. I hooked a catfish here so big that it pulled our  boat around (of course, it stuck its ugly head up above the water and then broke the line!!!).   Doc and I caught many good-sized bass on crawfish-patterned jig-and-pig combos..


4.  The Rez:  Prairie Creek is a relatively new reservoir that is owned by the Water Company.  When we moved to Indiana from Montana, the back yard of our first home butted up against Water Company land and the Rez was about  1/2 mile from home.  I confess I have caught few fish in the Rez, and 99% of those I have caught have been stunted crappies and mudcats with the occasional bluegill thrown in--and almost all of those were caught somewhere close to the bait shop on the east side of the impoundment.


5.  I've also fished the Mississsinewa, but I don't know it all that well.  I learned to throw very light-weight Rooster Tails on that river, across River Road from an Artesian Well, catching Goggle-Eyes, sunfish, and the occasional river smallmouth that always thinks it's twice the size it really is.


6.  Horse Pasture Pond:  Not technically in the pasture, this pond belongs to good friends who own horses.  The pond is more an ornament than anything else, though it has some little bluegill and bass in it.  I'm sure it probably has mudcats as well.


7.  The Doc's In!:  The Doc always has a new intern with a pond, or a colleague who has either purchased a home with a pond or has recently built a pond on his or her land.  These places constantly change, though.

8.  [2014]  Speaking of "The Doc," last year he finally had a small pond dug on land passed down to him by his grandfather.  He has stocked it with Channel Catfish (they have to be stocked every year to feed the other fish), Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass.  It should be "fishable" in 2015.


>I'll say here so that I don't forget:  I will write a post about Camp Windigo and some of the times the Doc and I had out there as well as other places I probably won't fish again:  

• Summit Lake
• Brookville 
• The Boy Scout pond across river from Camp Munsee
• Phillips Pool
• Lutheran Hills
• Eagle River Fish Camp
• Montana's Madison and Blackfoot Rivers

>Also, I have lost--or in some cases, misplaced--many fishing friends.  

• My Uncle Dave, who though he passed away some time ago, remains the most important man in my life, was a constant companion.  He loved squirrel hunting and took it very seriously.  Fishing, for him, was just fun--the way it should be.

• One of my best friends, Tim-Dog, was (even though he wouldn't necessarily agree!) a better fisherman than a golfer!  TD moved to the Big City, and we have recently reconnected.  Hopefully, that means we can do some fishing again.

• Grandpa B-- who taught me a lot about enjoying fishing, and who could be relied on to throw at least one silly-looking lure ten feet up in a bank-side tree!

• Mr. G--who knew so much about fishing, but was always content to watch the Doc and I catch fish.  "All Right!!!"

• Mr. B--who only fished while wearing a tie!

• Vedas Davis--"King of the Wild Frontier."

• Kirk, who I love like a brother but will never get in a boat with again . . . ever. 

• Barry, who didn't really like fishing that much, but who graced me with two of his father's fishing poles when that good man passed.  I treasure them.

• Some of the Doc's and my friends and Beta buddies.

• Buck and his degenerate friends. (Sounds like a rock band, right?)

8/3/14

Rule #53:  Learn how to keep your shoes/boots appropriately clean and polished.

Tinkering

One of the best things about fishing as a hobby is the opportunity it provides you to tinker.   It is especially fun to alter/improve lures you've purchased.  Every time I buy a package of jigs, especially 1/16 or 1/8 oz., I take a pair of needle-nose pliers and widen the hook gap.  I don't have any data, but I am certain that this alteration increases my catch when using these jigs alone, or when they're attached to a "safety-pin" type of spinner blade.  Speaking of jigs, only a few brands you can purchase come without hardened paint covering the hook eye; it's always best to deal with this at home rather than in the field!

I have whittled down the lips on crank-baits, added small or large red splotches on their sides with fingernail polish, trimmed the nylon weed guards on jigs that makes them not only weedless, but also virtually "fishless," as well!

My first day on the White River reinforced a lesson I'd learned long ago--White River fish, especially bass, key on baits that resemble (sometimes very loosely) crawdads.

So, laying in bed one night recently, I tried to fight off a nightmare I'd had earlier that was threatening to return each time I began to fall back to sleep.  Sometimes I can become sufficiently awake by creating fishing lures in my mind.  In the light of day, these have taken on some bizarre forms, but what the hell, if it beats back another "hospital dream," who am I to complain?

I have been trying to recreate a jig I fished successfully at Muncie-Tucky some years ago.  It was about a 1/4 oz., brown,  jig/twister-tail combination.  Like White River fish, those in the M-T key on crawdads.

As you can imagine, it is unfortunately large.  OK, it's about the size, and sadly, the shape, of a well-cooked bratwurst, but I tried.

Next, I took a stab a realism, and attempted to give my lure the same number of claws real crawfish possess--WO!  REVOLUTIONARY!!!

And the result?  Another bratwurst--but with ARMS!!  (Doesn't that sound like something with which Godzilla should tussle?)

In the enterprising spirit that made this great country what it is, I will throw these into the water a few times the next time I'm at the River.  Of course, a full report will follow, with photos.  Color even. And, in homage to Arlo,  a 4-part harmony sound file.

The Complete Combo

8/28/14

Rules #50:  Guys:  Always open every door for a woman.  If she objects, keep that in mind before asking for a second date.

New Equipment

"Now, I'm cooking with GAS!"  (This post is brought to you by the Indiana American Gas Company).   My mom and her wonderful spouse did me a solid by giving me an early birthday present in the form of a seven-foot Bass Pro Shops Microlite Fishing Pole!

(pic)

As soon as I rescued it from its cardboard mailing tube, I attached the new Pflueger reel, and "viola" -- the best rod/reel combo I've ever had.

(pic)

Prior to putting this combination together, I haven't been in the position to consider how the reel and pole would work together, or what type of outfit I need for the type of fishing I do.  Both of these units are designed to cast light lures and fight relatively small fish with drag and rod action.

Presently, I find myself in a "sans boat" (that's "without boat" for you mono-lingual types).  This means that with the exception of Keep Out Lake, and Muncie-Tucky, where there are boats available, my fishing is largely "banque fishing" ("bank fishing"--duh).

Because of this, I don't have to worry about smacking someone like The Doc in the head with a #1 Mepps.  Instead, I now fish mostly on the White River because I can be ready to go and making my first cast in about ten minutes.  On the River, the challenge is to make long casts with pretty light lures to fish that'll weigh somewhere between "Barely Detectable" and 2 pounds.  (Of course, there's also the challenge of avoiding goose shit with every step.  Yuck.  I hate Canada Geese.)

With those parameters, this is the perfect combination.  Now if I can just keep it away from mini-van doors!

New Gear!

7/14/13


Rule #45:  Intentionally expose yourself to as much beauty as you can -- it will enlarge your soul.

New Toys!

I got my new Pfleuger Reel in the mail yesterday:

This is my 6925, Ultra-Light/Light, reel.  It has 9 ball bearings in the body of the reel and another in the bail.  It is designed for 2#-6# test line.  I put 4# flourocarbon on it today.  It's somewhat smaller than I thought it would be, but the design is very attractive--almost art-deco--and the wind on the reel is so smooth.

I switched the handle over to the right side so that I can reel it with my right hand, and that process was quite easy.

This is the best reel I've ever owned.  The surest way to quickly measure the quality of a spinning reel is to count the ball bearings it uses in the action.  The most ball bearings I've ever had in a reel before now is 4.  The "9 + 1" bearings in this reel provide it with an incredibly smooth and fast retrieve.

I mounted it to an old Mitchell rod--I'm pretty sure it pre-dates carbon, titanium, maybe even fiberglass!  Who knows what it's made of?  Could be "stick."

I have asked for a new rod for my birthday.  The rod my new reel is mounted to is actually, a pretty good rod.  However, it's composition is such that it doesn't really maximize the reel's capabilities.  The Pfleuger President 6925, above, is the one I have chosen for the kind of fishing I do most frequently.  Like I said, I loaded it with 4# flourocarbon, which sets it just right for the kind of fish I catch.

I routinely catch fish under a pound, and I don't mind that at all!  On the river, I might spend a day catching only fish under 1#.  On the other hand, now and then I might hook into a 2--2.5# Smallmouth--and those fight like no other fish!!  Frankly, I think I could catch a 6--8# Bass on this line, depending on circumstances like abrasion, structure, etc.

Equipment: Old and Needed

5/16/13

Rule #41:  Always try to think before you speak and ask yourself, "Is what I'm about to say positive, and does it contribute to the conversation"?  If not, keep your mouth shut.

Old and Needed Gear

When we went to Kelley's Island last summer, two of my rods were closed in a door.  They were trashed, and one of them was also slightly damaged, but I was able to work on it.  One of the reels was similarly broken.  In the end, I have four serviceable rods and four average reels.  I should say that one of the rods Peggy got for me last year through some sort of gift program with her bank.  It is a very nice graphite composite MH rod, meant to toss 1/4--5/8 oz. lures.  It's quite good, but I would never use it on the river because I just don't need that big a pole, and I don't think it would do well flipping 1/16--1/8 oz lures, regardless of the reel.  I have an old Shimano, though, that I'll rig with 12 pound Stren flourescent monofilament. It should match well with that pole.

The Silver Ryobi has 4 lb. Spiderwire flourocarbon spooled onto it.  This is the first time I've used flourocarbon.  So far, I've had no real problem with it.  I chose it for river fishing because I thought it's low visibility and extra distance casting would be appropriate.  I really think the fish on the White River, especially in those areas that are fished the hardest are sort of spooky.  So I want a line that the fish have to look for, and a line that will get me to some of the pools and rills that most fishermen can't reach from the public bank.

The brown "no-name" rod carries Stren 4# flourescent monofilament.  On my first day out, I tied the plastic worm I used on this rod.  When I fish those finesse worms and jigs with no weight, I need to be able to see the slight twitches in the line.  Stren 4# flourescent has been my "go-to" line for years.

The third outfit  is very rough--a MH rod with a battered reel and Stren flourocarbon 12# monofilament.

The pole Peggy got for me is matched with a too small reel with 8# Stren.

This year, for Father's Day and for my birthday, I am going to add to these:

A Pflueger President reel, 6925; 5:2.1; 4/110, 6/140; 9 + 1 Ball Bearings; seated on a Bass Pro Shops MicroLite rod; Fast Action; 2--8 lbs.; 1/16--1/4; 2 pieces; Model ML70LS-2

First Catches of the Season

5/11/2014

Rule #39:  Every now and then, grow something.

First Casts

I started fishing about 10:15 A.M.  I am continuing a project I started last year: I am going to record my fishing trips to the White River, starting across the river from the Water Treatment plant.  My goal is to fish upstream through as much of Muncie as I can, mostly on the north side of the river.  Last year, I made two trips, but then had to go to the hospital for a pretty long time and the project stalled.

So, I picked up where I'd left off--about 100 yards upstream from the spillway.

The day was sunny, it was about 80 degrees, sunny, but the wind was blowing 15 mph.  I forgot to check water temperature.  The clarity was as good as it gets when the river is at a normal level.

I said my prayer for Grandpa Bird, which must be done before making the first cast of the season.

I fished 5 different lures:

1. A "0" Panther Martin in-line spinner, gold blade, body was yellow with orange spots, caught one Rock Bass on it.  The wind was blowing from the W, SW, so this lure and the 1/16 oz. Beetle Spin were challenging to cast.
2. a 1/16th oz. Beetle Spin, silver Colorado blade, pink jig head, and chartreuse body.  I had some nibbles on this, and a few followers, but none caught.
3. A 1/8 oz. Beetle Spin, again, silver Colorado blade, black jig head, and a darker body with some silver flakes.  I chose this one because I thought it might match the crawdads that are the main source of food for the Smallmouth on the river.  No fish on this either.
4. I talked to a guy and his wife who were sitting upstream from where I was fishing, and he was using the damndest combination--a large brown plastic crawdad, hanging about 2 feet down from a big-ass bobber!  He said that his kids had been knocking the smallmouth dead using this the day before, so it got me to thinking--maybe this river gets so much fishing pressure that the fish are getting used to the  "usual" lures: in-line spinners (Rooster Tails, Mepps, Panther Martins), Beetle Spins in almost any color.  So, I thought I'd mix it up a little.  I tied a tiny crankbait: 1", maybe 1 1/2", chartruese with gray stripes and a black top; square bill, and it sunk very slowly, almost a nuetral buoyancy.  I caught three of the Rock Bass on this lure.
5. Continuing my effort to use lures I don't usually use, I tied on a Kelley's Pier Boy pre-rigged, 5" plastic worm, dark purple with a bright pink fire-tail.  For me and my long-time fishing partner, this particular lure has been responsible for catching more Largemouth Bass than any other lure.  However, I have almost NEVER used it as a river lure.  It worked very well.  I caught two more Rock Bass, a baby Smallmouth, and the biggest fish of my day, a really nice Smallmouth.  He was no "lunker," but at 11-12", close to a pound if not over it a little bit, he fought like a fish three times his size.

I was using two of the four combos I have put together from the reels and rods left over from last year (more on that later.)  Both of the light rods are set up to throw 1/8 oz. lures, so with a couple of my lure choices required that I really fling them.  The silver pole is a Ryobi.  It's practically a "noodle" rod.  The tip is so flexible, and there isn't really any backbone the further down the rod you go.  The second rod is a brown, no-name rod.  Pretty much the same as the silver rod, but with a little more strength.

The Ryobi rod is matched with a Quantum reel--lower-end product. I have put 4 lb test Spiderwire flourocarbon on this reel.  I think I got as much as 6-10 feet per cast by using this line.

The brown rod is paired with a little ultra-light Shimano.  Again, this reel probably cost $15--$20 new.  Few bearings, and the rate of retrieval must have been something like 4:1  This still makes a good worm or grub lure because burning a soft plastic isn't a good idea.

I had a good day, but didn't make very much progress, which doesn't really matter. There was, of course, about a metric ton of goose shit up and down the bank.  The birds themselves left me alone for the most part.  As I "shooed" a group of them away, I noticed one that had a pronounced limp.  If I meet up with that gang again, I'm going to come prepared to give him some bread.  I saw a Nuthatch, an Eastern Bluebird, several Mallards, and a baby Painted Turtle.

Here are some pictures of the day and the day's catch:

Rock Bass, or old "Goggle-Eyes"

The water is just a little low.  Notice the green shade of the deeper pools.

Sub-Species:  Upside Down Goggle-Eye

First Fishing of 2013: Getting My License

4/5/12


Rule #31:  Once you've made your point, stop talking.

The Fishing License

I did it.  I went to Walmart today and purchased my fishing license.  Besides the increased price, something else has changed about getting your license.  First, they used to be available only in hardware stores.

My uncle would buy my license for me each year, usually at Simmons Hardware in Albany, IN.  It was the same dark, mysterious store from which my late Grandpa had bought me my first knife: an old Barlow with a long clip blade and a shorter, pen blade.

The salesperson would ask those questions about how tall you were and how much you weighed, whether you wanted a fishing, fishing/hunting, or fishing/hunting/trapping license. My uncle would listen carefully to these questions and my answers, and there would be the usual good-natured teasing about how big I was getting, "too big for his britches," etc.

It's been a while, but I can still remember getting the light blue license that indicated you were "all in," you'd be on the water, in the woods, and in the fields the whole year.  If you got all three seasons, Mr. Simmons would give you a little card stock envelope to keep your license in your wallet.

Getting your license involved looking forward to fish caught; rabbits, squirrels, maybe a quail shot; and muskrats, racoons, even mink trapped.  Everything was ahead of you, and through your imagination, there was no real limit to the success you would have.
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Now, they just take your driver's license, copy down the information, and run your license out on a regular sheet of paper from a printer they keep on the counter.

I miss Simmons Hardware Store.  I miss my uncle.