We always get up early on the 4th of July. It’s my favorite holiday of the year. Today was no different and before we knew it Granny and I were down to our last sip of coffee. We looked at each other like, what now? There are no events until late afternoon. That’s all it took. I jumped and hooked up the boat to the Exploder and she packed snacks. Before we knew it we were on a nearby lake that’s a mere nine minutes away.
There was nothing hardcore about this spur of the moment fishing excursion. I had a bluegill size Chernobyl Ant on my 4-weight and a largemouth bass popper on my 6-weight. Both were already rigged from a few days ago. I even packed another 6-weight with a chartreuse jig fly. I didn’t bring my tackle bag. Only a couple flies and my pliers.
It was very calm. The sun peeked through thin clouds. It was getting hot fast. We knew our early morning pursuit was smart. Granny hucked that bass popper around the lilies and soon we were admiring a saucer size bluegill. We caught a few more but the bass were not around.
Last year I put on a jig fly for crappie and was surprised to land two pike. I decided to pull out that other 6-wieght with the jig fly. I had my SA Sonar Titan Sink 1/3/5 so I could drag the bottom. On my second cast I landed this pike. No wire. I hooked him in the tip of the snout. He was eating size but because of the easy dislodge of my fly we let him go.
We fished for nearly three hours. We caught our share of bluegills, one more small pike and two of these tiny black crappies. It was a great way to start the 4th of July. Now its time to get ready for the festivities!
I’m offering a special on my Warmwater Fly Fishing book. The book is normally $27 plus shipping. The SALE is $25 including shipping. Send me a check for $25 (P.O. Box 1084, Hayward, WI 54843) and I’ll send you an autographed copy. Be sure to include who to sign it to and your mailing address.