That's Mr. Crappie Pole to You

by Alan Luecke
(Kansas City, MO)

A cold front cut off the serious spring crappie spawn before I could get out, but some action was still to be had at James A. Reed Conservation Area, a complex of beautiful small lakes on the southeast corner of the KC metro area.

There were a few folks around using minnows and jigs under bobbers. The Kiyose 43MF with a white Killer Bugger was catching fish faster with a lot less hassle. The takes were very soft. When the line straightened a little a snap of the wrist would set the hook.

This nice bass and some bluegill also liked the Killer Buggers. Walking along the shore with my rod and a small gear bag seemed almost like cheating compared to the people working so hard with all the bait, bobbers, coolers and buckets.

“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.