It was a windy one at 4:15 AM when I sat up from my sleeping bag on the camps porch this morning. To head out in the canoe this early I need perfect calm conditions. I took on a little more sleep then finally got up at 6. I packed my Yeti along with my 4-weight and 6-weight Winston’s and paddled to Back Bay to see how many species I could catch before noon.
I say before noon because there was big rain in the afternoon forecast. I could feel it when I left the dock. The skies were deep gray and I could smell the rain. Nonetheless it was a pleasant trip across Wolfeboro Bay amongst the loons that I listen to each night.
I had my 4- and 6-weight rigged and ready. I popped a Ben Byng popper for a half hour hoping for a nice largemouth bass on my 6 to start. The largemouth didn’t happen so eventually I broke the ice with my 4 and landed several of these broad bodied bluegills.
I went back and forth with the big popper on the 6 and a Chernobyl Ant on my 4. Here’s how I made out starting with a 13” smallmouth bass.
The rock bass of Lake Winnipesaukee come way too easy.
He’s small but he counts – largemouth bass.
This is the first black crappie I’ve ever caught in Back Bay.
Time for a chain pickerel. They love the lily pads.
I changed flies to a flash fly streamer for the pickerel. Hiding in the lily’s was another species for the day. The yellow perch.
Finally I nailed a pretty little chain pickerel. (Next week expect a big pike!)
No day to Back Bay is complete without some pumpkinseeds. Seven species this morning. Not too bad!
The rain caught me around 11. No big deal as its around 73°. I took my shirt off and enjoyed the paddle back across the bay to camp. I’ll get one more session in Back Bay next week before leaving New England. Tomorrow its off to Cape Cod for stripers!
Jeff,
Good day of fishing.
Beautiful fish!
Tad