4/25/21

The wind was up. The kind of day that makes you think you should have stayed home and got some work done around the house. But, its Springtime in Texas and I was feeling that pull you get when the water temps are right and you know there are lots of fish in very shallow water and easy to get to with a fly rod. I had also made a mistake. Earlier in the day, as I was looking at the weather and trying to convince myself to go, I had mentioned to my wife that I thought I could catch some Crappie were a certain creek emptied out in the back of a cove. I don't fish for Crappie very often and usually don't have much success when I do but if do catch them, my wife insists that they be brought home and fried. Now, as I stood at the top of the boat ramp, watching the white capped rollers out in the channel, I decided I didn't want to make the long ride up to the spot where I thought I could find them. The forecast had said the wind would stay up through the evening which meant a long ride back, late in the day, straight into it. I felt like I had no chance at catching Crappie if I didn't go there but I just wasn't up for that beating so I the short ride across the channel to some protected coves, out of the wind. I figured I could, probably, catch a Black Bass or two, enjoy some sunshine, spend some time goofing around in my boat, maybe shoot some birds with my Nikon and call it a day. I made about three casts with a Clouser Minnow when the line went tight and I brought a dink Bass to the boat. At least I wasn't getting skunked today. Then I caught another Bass, this one a nice fish for me. I hadn't caught a Bass that size in a while and this one fought strong. It wasn't until I was watching it swim away that I weighed it. I would guess at between two and two and a half pounds. Not a big fish by any means but a good one for me. I ran to the back end of the next cove over where a small creek feeds in, kind of like the one I wanted to originally fish. There is a small cove just off the creek that had some grass and stick ups in it. It was a very pretty little spot and just smelled fishy. Not the physical smell, just the feel. I sent the clouser out, let it sink a little and as I picked up the slack to start stripping it in, there was already a fish on it. It felt like a pretty good fish. I was waiting for a Bass to clear the water in a splashy jump but the fish just rolled over on the surface. A big Black Crappie. I got it in the boat, hesitated about weather I should kill it or not, then decided that if there was one, surely there would be more. And there was. I put three more in the boat over the next thirty minutes. Not exactly a mess of fish but its just the wife and I so, with some side dishes - red beans, hush puppies, french fries, a salad, any or all, it was enough. I tried to catch one more for good measure before dark. The line went tight and I set up. If this was a Crappie its was going to be a very serious one. Turns out to be a Bass. I did remember to weigh this one - 2.38 pounds and 18 inches long. A good fish to end the day on. I sent my wife the important text message and headed back the ramp.
When my wife and I were dating I would tell her that I was bringing fish home for dinner and to have all the side dishes prepared and ready to cook when I was ready to put the fillets on the fire. She was always skeptical as to whether or not I would catch anything to eat and always asked that I call her and verify if I had upon leaving the lake. There were no cell phones back then so I would have to stop at a pay phone in the marina to "make the call." She didn't realize the only time of the year I did that was when I knew I could catch fish. But today I just got lucky and, with cell phones I no longer have to stop at a pay phone, I just sent a text message. The was simple and to the point. No explanation necessary. The message was "Crappie for dinner".

Good story, gots to beer batter those Crappie though.

Awesome post. Thanks as always for sharing.

Great report Capt Mac. Love that fly fishing. Thanks for sharing.

Nothing wrong with the day on the water whatsoever ! Enjoy the crappie.

I used to experiment with all kinds of batter, including beer. But, as i get older, i seem to steer more towards plain, basic things. I also like plain vanilla ice cream and pepperoni pizza so, maybe its just the way i have always been.

Capt. Mac you are a blessing to this forum. Great story, pics and fish.

I want to thank you for your posts and encourage you to continue to keep making them. I've read them all. From Carp One, to the Blue river, the sandbass run, duck creek, your trips with Linecaster and Shannon, I've enjoyed them all. I know you put a lot of time and effort into your videos and posts and I want say that they are definitely of interest and appreciated. Keep it up!

Wow Chuck, you sure know how to give somebody a swelled up head!
Its guys like you that make it worth all the time and effort. Greatly appreciate the support.

I second Chuck, very interesting posts, I can personally verify Cpt Mac's involvement in his trips to bring an interesting experience and report. Thankyou.

Well, i appreciate you guys. We need to get a Bluegill up and going real soon.

Excellent post and nice catches also! I gotta learn how to fly fish.

Thank you sir! There are plenty of good dudes on here that are more than willing to help you out learning. Mostly you just gotta get a fly rod and get out there and practice.