I decided to grab a fly rod and a few lures on Saturday to go get some casting practice in at a local pond in front of the HS from which my boys graduated. The wind was calm, ahead of the pending rain showers, so off I went. The bluegills were feeding on the surface when I got there, so I just had to find a spot with room for my practice.
I tied on a #8 hook and put a panfish tube on the hook as I was sure my lack of ability would soon prove to be the end of that lure.
After missing a few light bites, my confidence grew despite missing those fish. A light rain started and the surface bite stopped. Stubborn as I was to land the first fish of the year, I took a lap around the pond looking for another spot to try once we got a break in the clouds. After assessing the amount of weed growth, I returned to the original spot as the rain stopped. I tied on a small fly and got an immediate bite on the first cast from a 10 1/2” bluegill. The fly was the ticket. Four more gills on the next 4 casts. I moved over a few yards and caught a crappie, then about a 9” rainbow. It was a great mental break for me after a tough week. I recommend that all try this.
Still lots of practice needed, though 😂