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From Jan 01, 1999 To May 09, 2008
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May 6, 2008; 06:10PM - Spring Spawn
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
Spring Spawners.
It's been a pretty good spawn for peacock bass here in Hawaii. The bad news is... we need rain in a bad way. The good news is.... with no rain the water level has stayed consistent and the fish are all over the place and easy to spot.
Chris hosted a TV crew from Outdoor Pursuits, so you guys in New England will get a chance to see some of our fishing action pretty soon. Sportsman's News is also doing a picture story.
It's been more 'Quality' fishing action, rather than a large 'Quantity' of fish caught this last month. The 1 and 2 pound peacock bass are few and far between. The 3 to 5 spawning fish are there. We've seen some peacock bass that have to top the state record 9.4 pounder..... but they just swim away when you toss an offering to them. Fly, lure, or live bait. I know....'That's why they call it Fishing and not Catching.'
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Nov 27, 2007; 09:12PM - Branson, MO Trout
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
There is much more to Branson, Missouri than music. It is an anglers paradise. Since I can bass fish any time, I skipped Tablerock Lake and tried my hand at fly fishing for rainbow trout.
Guide, Darrell Lundberg met me at River Run Outfitters where I was fitted with waders and got my fishing licence. I also got a t-shirt, cap, and assorted goodies from this well stocked fly shop. River Run Outfitters is the '2006 Orvis Endorsed Outfitter of the Year'. They provided everything..... waders, rods, flys, even drinks, lunch, and snacks.
Lake Tinicomo, formally the White River, starts below the dam at Tablerock Lake. It's 40 degree water is thick with rainbow and brown trout thanks to an aggressive stocking program.
Darrell launched our boat and handed me a feather light, 5wt Orvis rod. The fly was a very, very, tiny Midge. These flys were so small you could put 6 of them on the finger nail of your little finger. I looked at the fly and then looked at the 10 or 15 nice rainbow trout holding in the slow current and thought 'no way'.
A few casts later as the line floated down current the strike indicator ducked below the surface and I had a nice 2 pound rainbow trout dancing on the end of my line.
Fish could be seen everywhere in the clear shallow water. Some attacked the fly with wild abandon, while others ignored the fly completely. Darrell used the oars to position the drift boat, sometimes using the anchor to hold on a likely spot. He was constantly changing flys and handing me another rod to try. It was just a matter of 'matching the hatch'. I'm glad he was tying on the flys... the 4# test line and mini-micro hooks were way too small for me to see. LOL
It was a wonderfully relaxing day of drifting down the river enjoying the fall colors, good company, and frequently being interrupted by a frisky trout.
Mahalo to Darrell for sharing his fishing skills and good company on a wonderful day on the water. I can't wait to go again.
Aloha,
Stan |
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Sep 15, 2007; 01:42AM - 100 Tuke Days
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
Catch 100 peacock bass in a day? How about just in the afternoon?
I really have no idea how many fish we all caught, but the two young men fishing off the point (Secret Spot) caught more than 100. (using live bait and lures) The kids in the boat were hooked up to a fish every time I looked up. They would position the boat, cast, and hook up... Dale (on the kayak) and I were not doing to shaby ourselves.
From the time I got there (Secret Spot) around 3:00 until I left around 6:00 it was constant action. We all caught fish around one pound, but I would guess the average at closer to 2 pounds. My largest was 3 and one of the guys on shore caught a 5 pounder. But the exciting thing was the constant action. I'm enjoying the action while the weather is hot. In Jan. when the water temperature drops to 78 degrees, these schooling fish will only be a memory.
Oh, Blue Boat Point already had 3 boats fishing there.... (read really catching lots fish) that's why we moved on up to Morgan's Pt. (Secret Spot)
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Jun 17, 2007; 03:39PM - Water still rising, Tukes more active
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
I ran the boat while Chris and Frank did all the fishing. They were 'testing' my new white streamer fly. The 'Maltese Minnow'. I found some long shank bluegill hooks and bent them to make keel hooks. Long white hair from the new puppy, a little green or silver flash-a-boo, and a small gold barbell for eyes......... and we have a winner.
The peacock bass (small, under 10 inches) were everywhere and fighting over the flys. It was wild action with many double hookups. Frank hooks a fish and Chris casts at his fish for the second hookup.
Once, a largemouth bass that looked to be well over 5 pounds attacked the small 8 inch peacock that Frank was just lifting into the boat. Slash and splash..... we all saw it and everyone yelled at once. Frank rescued the little peacock from the monster bass.
Frank and Chris also 'rescued' (set the hook too quick) the artificial fly before some nice size peacock bass were able to inhale it. (You have to wait till you FEEL the strike BEFORE you set the hook)
There were a lot more active 2 to 3 pound fish today. The water temperature was 83 degrees. Seems like as the water temperature rises, so does the activity level of the fish. Best action was 11:00 till 2:00. Peacock bass like sunshine.
The boys lost count of how many fish were caught after about 1/2 an hour. How many peacock bass can one expect to catch in a day???? As Chris said: ' It all depends on your casting skill and a little luck.'
Aloha,
Stan
Chris with one of his larger fish.
[url=http://upload8.postimage.org/747796/photo_hosting.html][img]http://upload8.postimage.org/747796/DSCF0011_Small_.jpg[/img][/url]Frank with his first peacock bass on a flyrod.
[url=http://upload8.postimage.org/747800/photo_hosting.html][img]http://upload8.postimage.org/747800/DSCF0014_Small_.jpg[/img][/url]
And some of their smaller fish.....
[url=http://upload8.postimage.org/747867/photo_hosting.html][img]http://upload8.postimage.org/747867/DSCF0007_Small_.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://upload8.postimage.org/747870/photo_hosting.html][img]http://upload8.postimage.org/747870/DSCF0009_Small_.jpg[/img][/url] |
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Apr 18, 2007; 03:10AM - Aloha
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
Standing in waste deep water, with a 35 MPH wind whipping white caps up all around you is not my idea of ideal fishing conditions, but the guys managed to spot several Oio (bonefish) They hooked, landed, and released a few.. Others were too hot to handle and cut the leader on the sharp coral. Dean was the only guy who landed one close enough to me so I could snap a picture. Regardless of the nasty conditions... an exciting time was had by all.
What do you figure? 7 pounds?
Aloha,
Stan
[url=http://upload8.postimage.org/12772/photo_hosting.html][img]http://upload8.postimage.org/12772/DSCF0026_Small_.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://upload8.postimage.org/12774/photo_hosting.html][img]http://upload8.postimage.org/12774/DSCF0028_Small_.jpg[/img][/url] |
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Apr 3, 2007; 06:22PM - Sportfishing in China
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
Our guide explained that you choose the fish you want to eat and the restaurant prepares it for you. Our menu was set.. sweet & sour carp. It's de-boned and turned inside-out. Scored, battered, and deep fried, it looks like one of those 'blooming onions' from Outback. Delicious.
As we entered the restaurant in Beijing, China I noticed a large array of aquariums. The most popular fish is the carp. There were several tanks filled with carp of assorted sizes. Taking a closer look I noticed catfish, soft-shell turtles, rainbow trout, several fish I had never seen before, and .... largemouth bass. Just about all fish come from fish farms, so my search was on. There must be a fishpond some place in China stocked with largemouth. ( Try eating steamed bass with black bean sauce... wow.. I'm sure your local Chinese restaurant would be happy to cook your catch for you))
When I ask about sportfishing in China and the possibility of visiting a fishing supply store I was told that most of the recreational fishing was in southern China.
In the city of Guilin, our local guide, Judy Huing, pointed out the many commercial fish ponds. The range was from tennis court size to larger than a football field. Most had a small restaurant where your fresh catch could be prepared for lunch. On holidays and weekends, people flock to these 'pay-to-fish' commercial fish ponds for their recreational fishing. You pay about 8 RHB ($1) per kilo for what you catch, and they cook it for you. Again, carp is the most popular fish. Guilin reminded me very much of places in the Philippines and Viet Nam. Rice patties, water buffalo, ducks, clear streams, and beautiful scenery.
We cruised down the Li Jiang river. 'It travels 83 km like a jade ribbon winding among spectacular landscapes and elegant hills, the towering peaks, the variegated cliffs and odd-shaped crags reflected in the mirror of it's crystal clear water and deep pools.' I could defiantly see myself being polled along on one of the small bamboo rafts, fly rod in hand, casting a streamer to one of the many silver fish holding in the current. I didn't even get a chance to fish and I enjoyed just being there. Fishing in the many rivers is free, no fishing licence required. Those anglers who sell their river caught fish receive a much higher price because of the clean clear water.
Because of the tight schedule of our China Tour, Judy was unable to make time for me to visit a fishing store. She said that on my next trip her husband, an avid angler, would be happy to take me fishing. Summer would be an ideal time, because the fish are more active. Sounds like a plan.
Aloha,
Stan
   
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Jan 3, 2007; 08:22PM - First Fish of 2007
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
Just wanted to share couple pictures of fishing in the new year. Kyle's bone was 27 inches and mine was 29 inches. Hopefully fishing stays this good the whole year.
dean
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Dec 29, 2006; 03:05PM - Two Big Tako
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
Stan, Just wanted to share photo of my fly fishing catch the other day. Both were caught w/ my 8 wt avid fly fishing rod. No fly was needed to catch them.
Dean
Not to worry, octopus are more afraid of you than you are of them. Keep your eyes open and watch where you step while bonefishing the flats, these tako make 'good eats'. (Good bait to) I wonder where he put them after they were caught? In his back pack? You could just slap them against your skin... the suction cups stick real good. LOL
Stan |
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Dec 16, 2006; 05:17PM - Low Water, Found Car
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
The water in Lake Wilson is lower than I've seen it since the sugar plantation closed. Down to the 16 foot level on the South Fork Bridge. Normally it's about 28 to 30 feet there. Found some submerged islands that we've never seen before. Well, the motor found them. Nothing damaged.
Right by the boat ramp you can see the top of a car. Looks pretty new. If anyone had a yellow car stolen....... we found it. I wonder if there is a body inside? Called the police, but went fishing after no one showed up in 30 minutes.
Speaking of fishing. The nice 3 pound peacock bass are schooling and chasing shad around Boy Scout Island. Caught on lures and flys. They seemed to like the smaller silver or white flys.
Along the shore line I found some scattered peacock bass. Very aggressive toward my flys. Some nice red devils too. LOL
Aloha,
Stan |
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Aug 3, 2006; 05:37PM - Big Numbers in Las Vegas
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Category: Fly Fishing
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
If catching large numbers of fish is important to you , then Las Vegas is the place to go.
I figured that since the fish would be running between 1 and 5 pounds, a light 5 wt fly rod with floating line would be fun. I caught fish, lots of fish, but those stripers really put up a struggle, wore me out. Next trip I'll take Capt. Marks advice and bring my 8 wt rods with sinking tip and full sinking line. The locally made white streamer fly that imitates the shad stripers feed on was just too big and bulky for a 5 wt outfit. ( He only provides spinning and baitcasting gear, so if your a fly fisherman you need to bring your own tackle. Capt. Mark will be more than happy to provide a list of recommended flys and tackle.)
We met Capt. Mark (Adventure In Angling) at 4:45 AM on a 'cool' 105 degree July morning , jumped in the boat, and headed out for some stripe bass action. Lake Mead has hundreds of small coves. In the first light of dawn we could hear, then see, the stripers chasing shad on the glassy surface. The water boiled with fish all around the boat. We each grabbed a rod and cast to the feeding fish. Hookup. A triple. Over the next two hours it was non stop action. We lost count of the triple hookups. It was common for at least two of us to be fighting fish at the same time.
How many fish did we catch? I have no idea. The limit on Lake Mead is 20 stripers per person per day. We caught more than that in the first two hours. Cleaning and packaging your fish is included. Since we were staying in a hotel we released all our fish. We also stopped to take pictures, rest, and drink lots of water. With all the hot fishing action, we hardly noticed the hot weather. LOL
Capt. Mark suggested I return when the weather is a little cooler and the schooling fish are in the 6 to 12 pound range. Can you imagine catching over 100+ fish that big? No wonder Capt. Mark says if you don't catch....you don't pay.
Aloha,
Stan |
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