Pre-Bass season checklist !!

[David Lee]

That's right !!

I've had some VERY good Pond and Lake fishing starting in Feb . , so it might be time for you to get the checklist out ......

New tippet spools ?? Don't break off a piggy due to old mono .....

Wash and dress your floating lines ?? I use Ivory soap and a washrag to scrub , and Zipcast to dress my dry lines . Make sure the line is rinsed clean and dried BEFORE dressing .

Spruce up those Bass Bugs - you can wash a Deerhair bug in warm (not hot) water w/ Ivory , pat or press it dry , and STEAM it to restore the shape . Subsurface flies covered in dried Moss from last season can use a cleaning , also .

Check your kit - Carry spare Hemo's (ever drop a pair in the drink ?? Hmmmmmm ....) , a good hook-hone (EZ-Lap for me) , spare clippers (one in the kit , the other on a cord around your neck) , and Dave's Bug Floatant . A few foam indicators and a sack of splitshot could come in useful . Always carry a clean rag or bandana for dirty glasses/fish-slime removal .

Reels cleaned and lubed ? Try FluidFilm for the lube-job .

Wash the Bug Rod in the shower , dry it , and spray some furniture polish on it . Bass Rods can be filthy after a trip or 10 .....

Tie-up new leaders . You are using fresh mono , of course .

Check the flyline/backing connection .

Check the flyline/leader connection .

Current licence w/ whatever tags/stamps you need ??

The correct flies for top-to-bottom fishing - if the March water is 53 degrees .... it doesn't make much sense to carry only topwater stuff .... include your Buggers/Craws/Leeches/Etc. ..... Carry MORE than you will need .

A small box of non-Bass flies ?? Some nymphs for Sunnies/Trout could be handy .

Small first aid kit - Tick removal device (fingernails work well , don't use your teeth) , fabric Band-Aids , Tweezers , etc. .

Clean water bottle/Camelback ??

Sunblock and Lip balm ????


That should get ya started !

David

[k.hanley]

The above public message was made for your viewing (and fishing) pleasure.

Nice job David. Good solid suggestions. Too early? Never. It's always the right time to check your tackle.
Cheers, Ken

[David Lee]

Thanks Ken !!

A few years back .... Ed Wahl and I found some VERY willing Bass in mid-Feb. . It was a welcome change from the slow Steelhead/Striper fishing of late Winter .

What do you carry in your early-season box , Ken ?

D. -

[Hairstacker]

Great post David! Re-filled the leader wallet last week and will check on fly lines next. Even though I completed my swap flies, I'm still tying sculpins, as I don't want to run out like we did last year. :D

[David Lee]

....... I'm still tying sculpins, as I don't want to run out like we did last year. :D

That was a crazy day !

Remember the really HOT day we went out ?

I can still see you tyin' on that friggity HUGE Chart/White Clouser - I thought "What the......" ??!? Then , getting BANGED three times on the first cast !! Fun stuff !

I also recall going thru my box ...... tying-on whatever I thought they WOULDN'T eat and being wrong every time .......

D. -

[Hairstacker]

Was that the day you pulled all those big smallies out of that one deep hole? I'll never forget how those fish tried to turn your 4 wt. rod into a pretzel. I seem to recall you got those on your little mohair leech pattern. I have a box full of those leeches now. :lol:

[David Lee]

That would have been the same day .

I think that's the first time I ever felt serious PANIC while fishing a creek - horrible ol' Smallie trying to drag me in and drown me ...... ! Remember the Smallmouth off the bridge on the Bugskin Craw ?? That was a pretty funny moment .

They sure are cool lil' fishes .

D. -

[k.hanley]

Say hey David,
Early season I like using the following patterns most of the time:
1. Whitlock Hair Grub
2. Whitlock Near Nuff Sculpin
3. Kaufmann Dragonfly Nymph
4. my own Mayan Warrior (olive/brown version as a dragonfly nymph)
5. my own Thunder Worm (articulating style pattern)

Of course there is always other stuff in the collection. Top-to-Bottom options are with me on every outing.

Go with whatever patterns you fully believe in. Fish with a purpose. Fish with confidence. I think the most important thing in anyone’s collection is “confidence.” Enjoy!
Cheers, Ken

[David Lee]

Early season I like using the following patterns most of the time:
1. Whitlock Hair Grub
2. Whitlock Near Nuff Sculpin
3. Kaufmann Dragonfly Nymph
4. my own Mayan Warrior (olive/brown version as a dragonfly nymph)
5. my own Thunder Worm (articulating style pattern)



I've yet to see the Thunder-Worm , got any photos ??

I'm curious as to how you feel about Kaufmann's Dragon VS. Dragonbugger . I use both and much prefer the Dragonbugger .

D. -

[Hairstacker]

Must say, I sure enjoy catching those spotties too. Really cool markings on some of those, like this one you caught:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Sachlil/100_1590.jpg

One of these days, we're going to have to chase down some of those legendary blue-phased smallies you told me about. :D

[k.hanley]

Wellllllllll. The best way to answer your question is first to remind you that you asked me about my “early season selection.” The Kaufmann Dragonfly Nymph offers a bigger meatier profile. Perhaps this provides a better reason for the bass to eat it during cold water months (low energy months).

You know I love Andy’s Dragonbugger (didn’t I introduce it to you or something like that many moons ago???). Andy’s fly offers a much leaner profile which I prefer to use later in Spring and Summer when the bass feed more aggressively. The extra element in the design provided by the marabou is a terrific movement trigger.

I carry them both. I believe in them both. I catch with them both. Dragonfly nymphs (and adults) are a big part of my game for bass (I know -- you already know that).

David what are your thoughts on the two designs and field applications?

Hairstacker that’s a nice shot. There’s certainly a beautiful color scheme and striking markings on that smallie.

Here's a pretty basic pic of the Thunder Worm. The back half is tied onto a long shank hook with the bend clipped. The long shank helps keep the fly from fouling.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/pacificextremes/ThunderWormQuickPic.jpg

Cheers, K

[Goblin]

What type of rod, reel and line set-ups do folks use for bass fishing? I am planning on focusing more of my fishing time on warm water species, including smallmouth bass in the Russian. I have cleared out some trout gear and now have some funds for a bass set-up. I have been eyeing the Sage Largemouth package. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[David Lee]

Ken -
Yes , indeed .... you did introduce me to Dragonbugger from your great write-up in Fly Tier (or some such mag. ....) years ago . Thanks , BTW ....

The K.Dragon is a fine fly , as is the Dragonbugger . I also have used both to great effect . I prefer the K.D. fished hi-stick , dead drift in water with good current . I find that it fouls less than the D.B. (K.Dragon also works very well in stillwater) . The only mod I've made to it is a flaired Wool body and Bugskin leather wingcase , instead of dubbing and turkey .

Dragonbugger fishes VERY well , no matter the type of water . I have found that , strangely ..... Dragonbugger seems to get hit a LOT harder than other Dragons I've used , and I'm not at all sure exactly why . It does foul on ocassion . It is one of my 10 go-to bugs for pretty much anything I fish for in freshwater .

Like you , I'm happy to carry both of them .

Thunder Worm looks pretty neat !! Furrled Antron , no doubt .... You come up w/ some really cool flies .

Thanks for your opinions , Ken - great information !!!!!!

Goblin (what a handle !!) -

Your 5 and 6 wt. gear will work fine on the russian . The Sage Largemouth would be serious overkill on those little coastal Bass . Get ahold of Gene Fassi (He works at Western Sport shop over your way) and Lee S. (well-known Flyfisher from your area) , they will let you know where/what/how for the area .

David

[Goblin]

Goblin (what a handle !!) -

Your 5 and 6 wt. gear will work fine on the russian . The Sage Largemouth would be serious overkill on those little coastal Bass . Get ahold of Gene Fassi (He works at Western Sport shop over your way) and Lee S. (well-known Flyfisher from your area) , they will let you know where/what/how for the area .

David

Thanks for the tip. I might just hang onto one of my faster action 5-weight rods for smallmouth fishing. I have been meaning to head up to Western Sport Shop in Santa Rosa to check their inventory and get some recommendations on a largemouth rod.

The Goblin...one of my favorite flies. I think its a great fly, so I figured it would make a good forum name.

Thanks, Steve

[Hairstacker]

Steve, as a general approach for smallies, I think your idea of hanging on to one of your faster action 5-weight rods is a good one. In fact, I plan to pursue smallies this spring with just such a rod.

As far as largemouths, I spend the vast majority of my time pursuing these in the Delta, where you will find me using a heavier rod. Your faster action 5 wt. can handle most of the largemouths you will hook into on the Delta no problem and it will often be very sporting, but you will also run into a fish now and then that will make you wish you had brought something heavier, especially with all of the cover you will find on the Delta (weeds, tules, etc.). Thus, for Delta largemouth fishing, my go-to rod is a 7 wt. rod.

I’ve never fished the Sage Largemouth rod package, but I understand there are folks who do enjoy using them for Delta largemouths. I’ve even toyed with the idea of getting one myself for this purpose.

As far as reels, just about anything will do. You’ll usually find me using one of my standard Orvis Battenkill reels matched to the rod I’m using.

I use a 6 wt. bass bug tapered weight forward floating fly line on my 5 wt. rod and an 8wt. bass bug tapered weight forward floating fly line on my 7 wt. rod.

[Goblin]

Mike,

Thanks for the vote of confidence on the 5-weight. I was actually thinking about selling one before posting my question. I have a Galvan OB-4 that I can reduce the amount of backing and make room for a bass tapered 6-wt. line. Do I dare ask how well a bass tapered line roll casts?

Thanks.

[lee s.]

Well Goblin,
You are in for a treat doing smallies on the Russian. Your 5 sound grand. I have done well enough with either a small surf-candie or a dark woolybugger to be entertained for a day.
I sure do want to get David over here for a "float trip" on said waters.
Oh yeah, Russian River Fly Fishers, in Santa Rosa, has some access to some GREAT smallie water on the river too.
.....lee s.

[Hairstacker]

Do I dare ask how well a bass tapered line roll casts?

I don't recall the last time I roll-casted one of these but I suspect you'll find it roll casts no differently than any other line out to about 50', after which point all weight forward lines fail as you run into the thinner running line.

[David Lee]

One of these days, we're going to have to chase down some of those legendary blue-phased smallies you told me about. :D


Mike -

I have a feeling that I mis-identified those Bass . After catching several and doing the A/B w/ Smallmouth ...... I THINK they might be Redeye Bass , not Smallies .

It's kind of difficult to really tell , as I am not a biologist (wish I knew somebody who could examine some scale samples ) . Since there are four species in some of my creeks , the Bass could very well be hybrids ??

I need to get in gear and actually get some GOOD photos of the comming season's spoils ....

D. -

[Hairstacker]

I need to get in gear and actually get some GOOD photos of the comming season's spoils ....

That would be great! I've always found the variations in colors/markings interesting. Remember this spot you caught -- love the vivid markings it had:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Sachlil/100_1591.jpg

Photos of Redeye Bass with blue cheeks would be cool to see too. :unibrow:

[mike borba]

Make sure to bring a thermometer, (or your fish finder with fresh batteries). Water temperature is key in early spring bass fishing.

[Hairstacker]

Excellent point. I check water temps quite a bit in the Spring-time to get a sense of when I think the topwater season has arrived. 8)

[Darrin.Deel]

http://store.theflyshop.com/catalog/images/346Fa.gif

[Hairstacker]

That'll work. I can't wait! :D

[Darrin.Deel]

that is by far the deadliest bass bug i've ever fished. bass crackers are sweet too

[Hairstacker]

bass crackers are sweet too

??? What's a "bass cracker"?

[Darrin.Deel]

the bass cracker was developed by hogan brown. he has some other sick bass patterns that are pretty deadly around my neck of the woods.

http://www.idylwilde.com/flygallery.html

click on the bass flies tab

[Darian]

After picking one of those up I decided I could cast one on a heavy spin outfit. :neutral: If you hit yourself in the head with one of those, it sure would be a shock. :eek: :eek:

[Hairstacker]

Thanks! No doubt those will work too, especially in early spring before water temps come up. :D

[Scott V]

the bass cracker was developed by hogan brown. he has some other sick bass patterns that are pretty deadly around my neck of the woods.

http://www.idylwilde.com/flygallery.html

click on the bass flies tab

Hogan gave me a couple of those when I went to one of his steelhead seminars, they are heavy so be careful.

[Darrin.Deel]

yeah. the first time i was fishing one was in xxx xxxxx creek fishing for smallies and hogan walked up and told me that he invented the fly. he was the only other person i've seen fishing that water all year.