Fairy Wand - Non-Kayak

[DanMarino]

All caught from shore, along rip rap and weeds. All caught on the fly rod. Most bass came on the bumble bee popper. First largemouth bass I've ever caught on the fly rod. Had a blast. Gonna focus on the fly rod for the rest of the summer. Now I'm addicted to topwater bass on the fly.

13

[ronaultmtd]

Try a small black rubber spider with white rubber legs- always worked well for me- especially for big perch and bluegills

[Mark]

Now I'm addicted to topwater bass on the fly.

13

I have the same addiction. But be forewarned...It's a gateway affliction. Soon you'll be chasing stripers and other tidal species with a fly rod.

However, it's always fun to return to your freshwater roots.

Yesterday I joined the Free State Fly Fishers on an outing to Trap Pond. I had the Trap Slam -- crappie, bluegill, bass and pickerel. I caught each on top water. None were particularly large but all were fun.

My largest was this pickerel that totally engulfed a foam bass popper:

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If you look closely you can see the blue bucktail from the popper's tail extending from the pickerel's gill plate. Fortunately, I was able to remove the popper without getting bit and without harming the fish.

Good luck to you as you continue your fly rod journey.

[DanMarino]

Mark, we will have to meet up for a fly fishing trip. I don't really know what I'm doing with the fly rod, but am looking forward to catching some potomac smallmouth bass this summer. I can't imagine how much fun it would be to catch a 20 inch striper on one!

[Mark]

Mark, we will have to meet up for a fly fishing trip. I don't really know what I'm doing with the fly rod, but am looking forward to catching some potomac smallmouth bass this summer. I can't imagine how much fun it would be to catch a 20 inch striper on one!

Yes. I would like that. I've waded the Potomac near Brunswick and Shepherdstown in the past and caught many SM bass on flies. Typically I waited until July when the river drops. I'd be game to do that again.

Stripers hit fly rod poppers too.

Here's one I got on a fly rod popper at Hackett Point last fall:

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What you're doing now is great practice for chasing stripers with flies.

[DanMarino]

OK then Mark, we will need to coordinate some trips this summer, both for smallmouth and stripers. Looks like I need to get some foam poppers or learn how to make them. My cork poppers are getting all buggered up.

[Mark]

I like foam. You can buy it pre-formed (like the one in the striper photo I posted above) or in cylinders that you can cut to form with a razor blade like this freshwater bass popper:

A.JPG

It's a very easy material to work with.

[eyedaddy]

That's a Great looking pattern mark might have to steal that one. We did have a Great time at Trap this weekend.

eyedaddy

[Mark]

That's a Great looking pattern mark might have to steal that one. We did have a Great time at Trap this weekend.

eyedaddy

Be my guest. That pattern worked well at Trap. We had a good outing for sure.