Friday 22 April 2011

Bass.

Walked down to the bigger of the two dams at about 11:30 this morning. Didn't think that I would have much luck due to the fact that a cold front had passed through during the night. But the dogs ands I needed the exercises. Started with a sinking line first, and tied a streamer on a short leader. Thought that with the bad weather the fish would be holding deep.

After about a half hour I noticed bass jumping in the shallows trying to catch dragonflies, changed to floating line and a foam beetle pattern  and fished the open patches of water among the reeds and water weeds, close to the bank, no luck. Put on a no 6 Mrs Simpson which I cast into deep water and let it sink well on the end of a long leader and used a slow retrieve with long pauses in between. Just when I was about to give up I had a heavy strike and a large bass was on, but it managed to shake the fly. Amazing how your enthusiasm returns after having a fish take your fly. My patience was rewarded and ten minutes later I had another strike, this time there was no mistake and I soon had a nice fish on the bank. After a couple of quick photos the fish was returned to the water.

Two photos of the bass I caught today. This fish was only about 14 inches long but it made my day.

Just after I caught this bass I disturbed a small mouse, which plunged in to the water and swam about 50 meters into the dam, made a u turn and swam straight back to arrive at the bank virtually at my feet. I was captivated watching this tiny mouse swim, while the theme music from Jaws played in my head, I forgot to take a photo of it swimming. I kept expecting it to become a meal for a bass.

While walking to the dam I saw this tiny flower growing in the grass, a delicate purple in the centre and no bigger than my thumb nail.

From tiny to big. A large thorn tree in the veld.

8 comments:

Desiree said...

This was a lovely post, Phillip, on all levels :)

Joyful said...

Enjoyed your fishing trip.

dead fisher said...

A 14" bass on a fly would make my day too, Phillip. Funny how half a world away, reading of the little mouse, I had the same song in my head.

Kay L. Davies said...

I was imagining the same thing, Phillip, that a big fish would eat the mouse.
Catch-and-release fishing was something my father used to advocate. He never killed any fish he and Mom didn't intend to eat, but often caught fish he photographed and released.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Phillip said...

Hi Kay,

If every angler killed all the fish he caught there would soon be none left. I read somewhere that there are more than 70 million recreational anglers in the US. Imagine if they all killed every fish they caught.

The Ninety Percenter said...

Phillip--nice catch! Your bass looks exactly like the ones we fish for over here in Oregon. Amazing how we are a world apart, yet connected by the same fish we catch. Sounds like a great day.

Jo said...

Hi Phil, even I understood the procedure of different fishing methods with Grant standing behind me saying, Wow, lovely size bass! I could imagine watching that little mouse mesmerised as well and forgetting to take photos! Have a lovely weekend and safe journey to Durban tomorrow. Love and blessings. Jo xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Phil - loved your post today! Will show Luke what you caught!
love
Rose xox