Stocker Trout Fishing News

Fished the local pond with the TFO 6wt and OPST Commando Head. Started with a Popper Tube Fly and caught a little Bass. Switched to a Damsel Fly Variant and caught Bluegill and another Bass, too! Damsel Fly got beat up but still caught a fish or two despite losing the fishing fly’s tail!

Made a stop on the way home from work Monday. Rain was in the forecast but was able to catch a Bass and Bluegill or two or more before the rain arrived. Use the TFO 6wt Fly Rod; Echo Ion 6/7/ Wt Reel, and OPST Commando to cast Damsel Flies, a variant of one, and Tube Fly Poppers. The Damsel Fly Variant did well catching them… even had fun catch a nice Bluegill that bent the rod well!

Fished Kroger Park in Allen, TX Sunday, March 31, 2019. Struck out but did have a few strike fishing flies; just could not connect. Came back Tuesday, Arpil 2, 2019. Managed to catch a Bass on a Foam Grasshopper; shortly after lost the fishing fly to a snag. After trying different patterns, settled on a Damsel Fly Variant that kinda looks like a Dragonfly. Soon after caught two Bass and a Bluegill before calling it a trip as it got dark. Fun times… liking the 6wt TFO Fly Rod with the Echo Ion Fly Reel and OPST Commando Head!

Having done well at Stoney Hollow Park Pond in Plano, decided to fish another pond that we have not fished since last trout stocking season – Murphy City Complex Park Pond in Murphy… just down the road from South Fork where the filmed the show Dallas way back when. Have caught some nice Catfish and Bass but always on bait – especially live Bluegill in the 3″ size. Was hoping the Purple Damsel Fly would get a Bass or two but as it turned out, it was a Bluegill. Switched to a number of fishing flies as well but mojo was off and kept missing strikes or hooking “tree fish”! Did break the streak when a Bluegill went for a Near Deere, and then started “river fishing” for Bluegill by the water fountain; water current being generated did a pretty good job of simulating the current in some rivers we have fished! Afterwards, fished the pier and caught more Bluegill. Was getting ready to call it a trip but decided to tie on the Damsel Fly Variant we ...

Tested out a new fly pattern – no name for it yet. Caught a Bass and lost a Bass, then switched to damsel flies and caught Bass, Bluegill, and Sunfish.  Will tweak the new fly pattern more, and “test” it out again. Was good to see lots of fish near shore in their beds. Looked like the bigger Bluegill were further out from shore this year. Regardless, makes for some good fly casting practice for distance… Fun stuff!

Been having fun catching fish these past few outings. One pattern in particular seems to be doing well on top water action for Bluegill and Bass. We started using the Simple Foam Damsel Fly pattern we have used for many years. It has done well for us, but always on the lookout for other patterns to “test”, we began a search for other damsel fly patterns. We settled on one that called for mono eyes, a tail made of flexible material, hackle, and closed instead of open wings. Not sure what material was used for the tail, we settled on Sparkle Braid and apply Hard As Nails fingernail polish to shape it We liked the hackle concept and the little bit of foam used for the body but had a hard time with the closed wing made out of a clear material. So, dropping the wing, we created our variant of a Damsel Fly… this one for want of a better name is called “Look Ma No Wings”. Do give it a try when you get a chance – “Fly Tying – Damsel Fly Variant...