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Post 29 May 2023, 07:23 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/09/15
Posts: 684
Location: Arkansas
Went out again. Friday was tough but fish were a little easier yesterday.. In speaking with passing kayak anglers, they feel the fish could be more cooperative. Seems we have unseasonably cold nights and water temps aren’t where they should be.

I caught a dozen Smallies all on the same fly. A variant of the Rio Bandito (SLF dubbing instead of Ozzie possum fur). Most panfish were caught on that pattern too. Also, a small jig fly I tied up on 1/125 oz hooks made by a local guy. He sells jig hooks to the local shops. And jig flies on his site.





Yesterday, there were so many folks out in the creek for Memorial Day Weekend that they were making the clear water really dirty and dingy. That little jig pattern I tied did the trick. It was dark enough that the panfish could see it well enough to swim out from cover.

Upstream, I was limited by folks that had taken over a stretch of creek at a campground. Further downstream, more anglers and swimmers. I was surprised at what I caught in about half the water I usually wade. Folks have a right to access the creek too. And I knew what to expect in the way of bathers, anglers and floaters. It was still a good day. Lots of fun on the McFarland 8’ 4 weight.





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Post 29 May 2023, 07:39 • #2 
Guide
Joined: 01/31/18
Posts: 221
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Sounds like a good day, even with all the people out. Pretty fish. The Rio Bandito would have been a great fly on some streams I grew up fishing for smallmouth.


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Post 29 May 2023, 10:03 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 250
Location: Lake Junaluska, NC
Great you got out, even with the crowds. Fun is where you make it, many times. I like the jig flies, looks like those pretty fish did too!


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Post 29 May 2023, 11:13 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/04/15
Posts: 631
Location: US-FL
Those are beautiful fish!!!


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Post 29 May 2023, 12:18 • #5 
Guide
Joined: 03/03/22
Posts: 131
Location: NJ
Those sure are some lookers!


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Post 29 May 2023, 12:54 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 04/18/20
Posts: 169
Location: Far Western 'burbs of Chicago
Looks like a great time, thanks for taking us along.

As much as I love smallies a close second is river panfish (don't encounter them as often as smallmouth in my rivers).
As luck would have it I tangled with a few bluegills yesterday under a bridge on a small nearby river and was shocked at how hard their initial pull was.

Fighting current all day makes one hearty.


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Post 29 May 2023, 14:01 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 09/23/18
Posts: 614
Location: Eastern Wa
Gorgeous fish!


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Post 29 May 2023, 17:18 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/11/13
Posts: 774
Location: US-CA
Looks like good day on the water. Cool flies and stunning fish!!


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Post 30 May 2023, 07:01 • #9 
Guide
Joined: 03/21/22
Posts: 172
Location: US-PA
Beautiful fish! The weather was great for a little holiday weekend fishing. I fished exclusively for panfish all weekend and caught some big post spawn fish. Thanks for sharing.


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Post 30 May 2023, 20:29 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/02/16
Posts: 515
Location: Georgia
Great looking fly, fish, and gear. Those had to be fun on the McFarland 4wt.


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Post 31 May 2023, 16:33 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 1760
Location: SJC
Very pretty fish ! Appreciate your description of the flies and gear, too.


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