dc410
Well-known member
I hit a small local pond this morning which I had scouted earlier in the year and located a few nice size carp in it. This pond is literally only 2 miles from my home and I haven't fished it since I was in high school (nearly 35 years ago). The carp were extremely cagey and every one that I attempted a shot at busted me (sometimes that's how it goes with carpin').
As I was coming around the pond I saw the shadow of a fish which I assumed was a carp. I casted in front of it with my swimming nymph pattern and the fish moved directly toward the fly. My line twitched and I set the hook. I immediately realized that this was not a carp. The fish came out of the water three times during the battle and I landed my first 20" Smallmouth that I have ever caught on a fly rod in my life. I was pretty pumped! I also caught a nice chunky 14" SMB a little later. I never knew that this pond even had Smallmouth in it. I remember catching crappies on the fly rod out of it the last time I fished it many years ago but I never even remember seeing a SMB. So, don't overlook those little local ponds that you drive past almost every day and never have the time to fish. Take the time to explore them, some of them just might surprise you!
As I was coming around the pond I saw the shadow of a fish which I assumed was a carp. I casted in front of it with my swimming nymph pattern and the fish moved directly toward the fly. My line twitched and I set the hook. I immediately realized that this was not a carp. The fish came out of the water three times during the battle and I landed my first 20" Smallmouth that I have ever caught on a fly rod in my life. I was pretty pumped! I also caught a nice chunky 14" SMB a little later. I never knew that this pond even had Smallmouth in it. I remember catching crappies on the fly rod out of it the last time I fished it many years ago but I never even remember seeing a SMB. So, don't overlook those little local ponds that you drive past almost every day and never have the time to fish. Take the time to explore them, some of them just might surprise you!