Two Hundred Pound Bass

I went to Fishing Tackle Unlimited today.  I got the fly that I think works the best.  It's a small grasshopper.  I also splurged and bought a tapered 9.5' leader.  It tapers to a thin 3.5 lb test end.  Since the cold front is coming in tomorrow I wanted to get out.  I had such a great time.  I caught several of those green sunfish - one actually sent my rod zinging.  It's taken a lot of experimenting, but I think that particular *small* yellow/tan grasshopper works better than anything else.  Those perch hit the fly hard.

The bass wait for the perch to hit the fly and then attack them when they strike the fly.  Today, a bass chased my perch as I reeled it in.  Poor thing was hooked in the mouth struggling with that while being attacked on the other end by his arch nemesis who he has to live with day after day after day - that huge submarine just waiting for the right moment.

A boy showed up with a fishing rod.  He told me he had a guide service.  While I was fishing he said he was getting all sorts of bites from bass.  He told me he saw a two hundred pound bass one day.  I changed to a bigger lure.  He liked that.  That kid would have never ever ever stopped fishing or talking had his caretaker not taken him (that sappy feeling just came over me).  I think he guides people from spot to spot in the drainage ditch. (stop the sappy froo froo!)

I really want to buy a #2 or #3 rod for the perch.  Honestly, I get such a kick out of it.  I think the smaller rod would intensify the whole thing.  They really hit hard... and it's not a give away.  They are easily spooked.

I was going to touch on another topic - "language" - and tie it to my meeting with the boy who saw that two hundred pound bass, but I've ran out of time.

"The Rockford Files".  Kaley!