Earlier this year, I sadly snapped my Echo Dry 9' 2wt and learned it was out of production and could not be replaced. Instead, I applied the warranty towards an Echo Shadow II 10' 2wt. Since then the new rod has gone largely unused, and I briefly debated putting it up for sale.

That changed the past week, however, as I decided to try my hand at high stick nymphing for local Sunfish. The results have been excellent as I've landed eight species of Lepomis as well as a possible ninth (though it is likely a hybrid). The sensitivity of the rod is amazing and has played a significant role in catching a number of the smaller species. While I look forward to using this rod on a trout stream in the near future, it's nice to know it can serve a purpose closer to home as well.

In any case, on to the photos!

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)



Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)


Redspotted Sunfish (Lepomis miniatus)


Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)



Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis)


Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus)



Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)


Orangespotted Sunfish (Lepomis humilis)


Bantam Sunfish - hybrid? (Lepomis symmetricus x L.gulosus??)

Wow, nice diversity. And if you want another Echo Dry you might try EBay.

Great Variety of sunfish. Good job.

Very nice! I like the idea of cpr and identifying each. I'm not sure I've seen the red spotted or orange spotted before? I think those long ears are some of the prettiest perch.

Thanks everyone!



I've looked a bit, but I got such a great deal on the original rod ($100 new) that I just can't justify dropping $225 for a replacement. The Shadow II has been a great replacement though.




I know redspotted range into Texas, but I'm not sure how common they are out that way. I never caught one till I moved from DFW to Baton Rouge. As for the Orangespotted, that little guy is a full grown adult. I don't think you'd ever catch one unless you went out trying to catch something that small.

Chris

Nice fish. Orange Spotted and Dollar are still on my list of fish to catch. My brother lives in Gonzales so it sounds like I need to pay him a visit



Red spotted are in the Hill Country. I have caught them in Onion Creek but the absolute best place to find them is in Landa Park on the Comal River. They are the dominant sunfish in the park; in the last four years I have yet to catch any other species of sunfish there.

Wow! I didn't know there were that many types of Sunfish. What you called Warmouth looks like what we (father and brothers) always called a Rock Bass up here. Very aggressive and will hit a lure almost the same size as they are. Very nice photos, and thanks for pointing out the name of each.

Shoot me a message here or through my blog next time you visit. It would take two separate stops, but both are easily doable within the same morning.




Very similar look to the Rock Bass you have at home, but Warmouth are actually in the same Genus (Lepomis) as Bluegill and the rest of the sunfish shown above. Rock Bass don't make it into Louisiana, but there is another member of the genus (Ambloplites) called the Shadow Bass that does occur down here. I've yet to catch one, but it is high on my list.

Thanks again everyone!

Chris

Great photos!

Will do. Thanks!