Near Deere give away continues but did get a round of fishing in this past weekend and yesterday and a quick trip today; still editing video... Here is Saturday's fun...Did some scouting at Bethany Lakes in Allen to see if the Bass were on their beds this past Saturday. Sure enough they were... Caught a couple, then later went back to the Mouse Tail and caught as well as lost some. No worries... great time fishing Saturday!
Fishing Bethany Lakes - Bass in Their Beds

Not a fishing related question, but I know you have quite a few Echo reels.

Do you know of any local stores that stock Ion reels?

I have this "friend" who recently purchased some new rods and would like to get some quality low cost reels for them.

The problem is this "friend" has a wife that is a little angry with him for an already exorbitant amount of online purchases for rods, reels, and more flies that he can use in his lifetime.

My "friend" wishes to pay cash for these reels as his wife has been checking his credit card statement recently which makes it impossible to purchase online without tipping off his shrew like acolyte of Satan wife.

Once again, just asking for a "friend". I personally think his behavior is despicable and would never try to pull this over on my angelic wife.

Out an about Sunday, March 24... stopped at Bethany Lakes in Allen for a try at the bass on their beds with a fishing fly we made for trout but modified it some to go for bass.Change of plans though... bass did not want to strike anything on their beds. Instead, a hatch started and they started feeding on them... some little bug, so we went with a Griffith's Gnat and caught one, lost others, and then on to another pond later in the day. Struck out at the other pond, plus had to call it early do to a passing storm. Looked like it was going to miss us, so started grilling along and chilling with a Margarita or two! It did not... storm arrived and hailed on us too! Bummer... at least we got the grilling done! Plus caught a Bass!
Out and About Sunday, A Bass, A Strike Out, and then Hail!

Great question... will have an answer that we think your "friend" can use for his next purchase(s)!

Alrighty, here is our answer to your question... from a "friend" to another "friend". LOL!
The information is provided for entertainment purposes only, and should not be taken as advice. Proceed at your own risk!
Q&A: Buy Fishing Gear Without Your Significant Other Knowing!

Stopped at Crowley Park Pond in Richardson, TX after work one day; after figuring out a pattern hooked but lost several Bass. Came back the next day and caught one after modifying Mop Fly to use a wider gap hook. Did lose several others, and then watched on fisherman catch a nice Bass using a $10 Kid's Fishing Combo! Fun stuff!
Pond Fishing Crowley Park for Bass and $10 Kid's Fishing Combo Gets a Bass!

My friend thanks you for a very informative post. I'm sure it will go a long way to keep both him and his wife happy.

Glad our "friend" could help your "friend"!

Fun on the 6wt TFO... 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!

Pond Fishing at Kroger Park with the TFO 6wt for Bass!

Started out fishing the Damsel Fly Variant that worked at Kroger Park the other day. Later, switched to other flies before settling on a Tube Fly... a Tube Popper Fly that we tied several years back. Managed to catch two bass with it then lost the fly to a nice bass that broke off. Thought we lost the fly but was able to recover it, unfortunately, did not have any more treble hooks. Only had fishing flies with the largest hook size being a size 8. After a miss with a small size 12 egg pattern to replace the treble hook, switched to a KDM minnow in size 8. Managed to land one more bass before it got too dark. Kept at it well after dark and guessed we had 10 missed hook sets. Next time, will bring more hooks! PS: Due stay tuned; plan to post a video on how we make the Tube Popper Fly!
Stoney Hollow Pond for Bass on the Fly... Tube Fly!

Finally got the video edited... it's the DIY Tube Popper Fly that we used the other day at Stoney Hollow Pond. The version we used at the pond was painted yellow. These are painted white. Also, used the Mini-Balsa Wood Lathe we made several years ago along with a tube tying attachment on an old vise we keep just for making tube flies. Lathe is not required, can be shaped by had using hand tools and sand paper. Do check it out and give it a try fishing them on your local ponds this Season! DIY Tube Popper Fly

It's a variant of the original Tube Popper Fly we posted in an article several years ago...Tube Popper Fly

Here is a quick tie demo of how we tie the Guadalupana. Same fly we used the other day on a local pond! Uses minimal material, and is simple to tie. Works on trout, bass, and bluegill. Do give it a try, and do keep guessing on our Fishing Fly Give Away of two Guadalupana fishing flies.

One tied with a Palmer Hackle. Other with a Dry Fly Hackle. Both on size 8 streamer hooks. See more and comment in our video posted on our YouTube Channel!

Quick Tie Guadalupana

Fly fishing for bass at a local pond using the Guadalupana. Did well last round; same held true this round! Bass were in their beds or cruising the shallows. Also, caught several Bluegill. Fun times on a really nice day; even better to be fishing and catching them on the fly!
Guadalupana Does Well Again On Bass!

PS: Quick update to announce the Winner of the Give Away!

Quick trips to two ponds this past Easter Sunday - Sonic Pond and the Lower Pond at Bethany Lakes. Caught a couple of Bass using the Guadalupana and the PMOT - Purple Marabou Orange Thing. Did have a nice one on the line briefly but lost it. Overall, great time fishing on a real nice day!
Bass On Fly This Past Easter Sunday!