Small creek Bass

by Mike Schelp
(Gladstone, MO)

I was fishing Line Creek in Kansas City, North. This is a small creek about 15-20 feet wide that is only about 6 inches deep with the occasional pool of about 2 feet. I was using my Tenkara rod (3.3 m), about 13 feet of #3.5 level Line, 5’ of 5X tippet and a size 18 olive wet fly. I had caught about 30-40 bluegill and creek chubs, which are my primary quarry around where I live. I felt a light tap and set the hook. I immediately knew this wasn’t a chub. Using my photo box, I snapped the picture. I’m probably the only person that fishes this creek, which is a shame. I also saw a gar, around 18-20” long cruising a very productive pool. It was a great day fishing in a beautiful area!

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.

Seriously, all the hooks sold on TenkaraBum.com, whether packaged as loose hooks or incorporated into flies, are dangerously sharp. Some have barbs, which make removal from skin, eyes or clothing difficult. Wear eye protection. Wear a broad-brimmed hat. If you fish with or around children, bend down all hook barbs and make sure the children wear eye protection and broad-brimmed hats. Be aware of your back cast so no one gets hooked.

Also, all the rods sold on TenkaraBum.com will conduct electricity. Do not, under any circumstances, fish during a thunder storm. Consider any fishing rod to be a lightning rod! Fishing rods can and do get hit by lightning!