surprise bass

I spent the morning up on the big t in the canyon, but only hooked and lost one fish. Wanting to break my skunk, I headed out to north lake park in loveland, hoping to catch a little stocker bow, but I also was looking for carp as well. After fishing for trout with various nymphs and streamer for 2 hours, I gave up and rigged up the 8wt with a trouser worm. I wandered around the lake trying to spot one but after 3 or 4 laps and only seeing one cruiser out deep, I about gave up. I saw a bit of nervous water out a bit deeper, and I pitched the fly out in front of it. I got a slight twitch in the line, so I set the hook, and the fish took off. It felt like a small carp, but when it surfaced, I got quite a surprise. It was the first bass I had ever seen out of this pond, and it was a big one too! It was only 16in, but it weighed just over 4lbs, and it was truly a football! My buddy took a few pics, and it went back on its way.

Surprise Carp!

I headed up north Saturday morning to go float a lake for some smallies. I headed out around 5:15, and I was at the lake by about 5:50. I was in the drink by about 6, and that’s when the fun began. I fished the first part of the bank with a craw fly called a sparkle dad, but unfortunately, the fish didn’t want to cooperate. I kicked up to one of my favorite spots on the bank a; pipe pumping in water under a tree, and made a cast as far back in there as I could. I let it drift out for about 5 seconds, and then lifted up. There was a bit of weight, so I set the hook. The fish acted like a smallie for a bit, and then out of the blue, shot off out deep. Now not only did this fish double over an 8wt, but it also took me into my backing multiple times while towing my tube around. The whole time, I was debating what it was. First it was a giant smallie. Next it was a huge brown. I kept guessing, until I felt the signature head shake. I eventually hoped out of my tube, took off my fins, and positioned a net in wader belt all while fighting the fish. Finally after a 20 minute fight, I turned his head into the tiny trout net we had, and got him to hand. Now I didn’t weigh this carp, but he had a massive gut and his shoulders were around 4 inches wide. After a quick photo shoot, he was swimming off back into the drink. I didn't land any other fish, but It was still just an absolute blast to get smoked on an 8wt and get towed around a bit in the tube! 

Tight Lines,

Rob