Pond Bassin'

[matt johnson]

I was introduced to a gem of a little pond north of Red Bluff by board-member "Notch" this afternoon. This pond is on public land but requires about a mile hike and a float tube to fish it effectively so fishing pressure is light 8).

We stuck with topwater because topwater bassin' is the only way to go on a pond!

I think we are still a couple weeks out for the topwater bite to really light up in the North Valley, but we recieved more than enough attention to our swimming frogs to make it interesting. However, most of the bass were just looking at or "sipping" at the tail-feathers of our bugs and not really in the "crush it" program so hook-ups were inconsistent.

This pond has been around a long time and is full of neat old dead trees, tule coves, and wonderful bird life. I will be back for another visit soon!

ready to effectively access the pond!
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1010.jpg
the only bass bug I ever use!
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/bug.jpg
neat old snag
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/scenic3.jpg
I think I'll make a few casts in here!
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/scenic1.jpg
a few topwater bass
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/bass1.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/bass2.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/bass3.jpg

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Matt is my friend........yahoo!

Maybe he will take me there?

Looks like the ponds have started in Nor Cal?

[Ed Wahl]

Well done guys. Matt, that's the best sort of fishing report, lots of pics of big bass. A 2 hour drive helps keep the pressure down also. See any quail running around? Ed

[Hairstacker]

Man, what a great looking pond -- has bass just written all over it. Great fish too, good for you! :D

[matt johnson]

Yeah, that place was total pond "eye candy". It has so many nooks and pockets and tule coves to target...very FUN and engaging fly fishing!

I might just forget about everything else and fish topwater on bass ponds for the next month and a half?!?

Ed, did not see any quail but I bet they are around that place somewhere. Matt.

[Hairstacker]

I might just forget about everything else and fish topwater on bass ponds for the next month and a half?!?

I dont' think any of us would blame you if you did just that. :lol:

By the way, that's a GREAT-looking fly too -- did you tie that one up? No question, that thing would be killer on the Delta as well.

[Adam Grace]

Hey Bill, Matt is my friend too, maybe we can all go bass fishing together! :D

[matt johnson]

Hairstacker,

No, I did not tie that swimming frog, the fine tiers at Umqua Feather Merchants did! I do not have time lately to tweak out on such a multi-step pattern.

I did however recently discover these Rainy's "diver heads" at The Fly Shop in Redding:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1029.jpg

Pretty easy to whip up a decent looking and un-sinkable frog diver with these:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1030.jpg

[Scott V]

I like those frog heads. I am going to have to find some for myself.

[Adam Grace]

Great find Matt, I LOVE foam bugs, they're faster and floatier lol

We gotta get out and fish, maybe for some bass. I'll be giving you a call sometime soon.