bassfisher2

Use a clear bubble float with crusty bread on the hook or small round dog biscuits superglued to the hook , surround the bait with free offerings .

I use a swimming pool thermometer , it's well protected and floats , just attach to a line and throw it out.

I hate to cut and paste info , but this is fascinating, Bob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 2008 - Jellyfish in the Huron River: Keep an eye out for freshwater jellyfish in the Huron River the next time you are in a backwater area where the current is not so strong. Scientifically speaking, freshwater jellyfish are not true jellyfish like their marine relatives (true marine jellyfish, hydra, coral, and sea anemones). They have some structural differences, but because they look like jellyfish, we call them jellyfish! Photo credit: Mike Dunn, NC Museum of Natural Sciences The jellyfish are quite translucent, sometimes with a tinge of white or green. But keep a sharp eye out for them because freshwater jellyfish are much smaller, some can grow to about the size of a quarter. They have stinging cells for capturing prey, but because they are so small, they likely are unable to penetrate human skin. Some people report experiencing mild irritation after having come in to contact with the jellyfish, others are more sensitive to the toxin released by the stinging cells, just like some people are more or less sensitive to poison ivy. The jellyfish are quite translucent, sometimes with a tinge of white or green. But keep a sharp eye out for them because freshwater jellyfish are much smaller, some can grow to about the size of a quarter. They have stinging cells for capturing prey, but because they are so small, they likely are unable to penetrate human skin. Some people report experiencing mild irritation after having come in to contact with the jellyfish, others are more sensitive to the toxin released by the stinging cells, just like some people are more or less sensitive to poison ivy. Freshwater jellyfish prefer calm water to flowing water, and so are most often found in lakes and ponds. They are sometimes found in large rivers or backwater areas where the current is not strong. These freshwater jellyfish are actually quite common in our lakes just rarely seen. Freshwater jellyfish have been reported from over 150 lakes, ponds, and other waterbodies in Michigan, including several locations in the Huron River Watershed. Sunny days in late summer tend to be the best for spotting freshwater jellyfish, when the water is warm and food is abundant. However, jellyfish will not appear every year, even in a lake where they have been seen before. You can learn more about these cool aquatic creatures at www.jellyfish.iup.edu.

I would be interested in seeing your dragonfly pattern, or if you can tell us the tying materials ?

" I personally got the baitcaster because no weed guard I have tried on a fly comes through milfoil. Two strips and I am stuck. I am sure someone out there has one that works. If I could find one I liked I would never put the fly rod down. " I now use 0.15" wire weed guards made to the Lefty Kreh design which is similar to this one I just found on google but with the wire extended past the hook point and curled down at the end . Not sure what milfoil is, but I drag my flies through scrub and crispy pondweed with few problems , besides flies are cheap to make, I'd rather lose a fly than a crankbait. On the subject of big fly = big fish , seems to be true for bass but all my biggest pike , up to 27 lb have come to 3" flies All this talk of fly fishing has made me want to take the fly rod out tomorrow Bob

I used to fly fish almost exclusively in England, but having tried here for the bass I found I was catching fairly small fish. After 1 year my best fish was 3lb -- see photo. I then invested in a good spinnning rod and reel and fished senkos - the size of bass suddenly increased dramatically. The lakes in Cyprus are generally deep and rocky and fishing is bank only, not the easiest to fish with fly and not a lot of fish take off the top either.I did catch a channel cat on a deep fished chartreuse marabou lure, this was my best fly for bass too . Now I only get out the fly rod when i really feel the need to fly cast . ( non fly fishers must understand there is a lot of satisfaction to be had from a well executed cast - even in a field ! ) I use 6 # rod for poppers and smaller flies and a 9# for bunnies and large flies .

Up to 10 lbs you can get hold from above at the back of the head and just lift the fish out, to open the mouth lay the pike on its back , it is more docile and the mouth opens . Spreaders can be a bit harsh on the fish and I have never found the need . Some people wear gloves , the chain mail butchers gloves . I don't , BUT NEVER put your fingers in the mouth - use long pliers or forceps. This one was caught on fly froma float tube. Bob

On a related topic, It makes hook removal out of fish or fishermen a lot easier if you squeeze down the barbs, I find I lose no more fish using barbless and it is so much more fish friendly. p.s. rapala pliers are a good tool . Bob

I caught a 5 pound note while fly fishing in England a few years back. A 6 foot turtle off the coast of Gambia on a prawn - after 20 minutes I cut the line , every time I thought I had him he would come up for air and then charge off revitalised !

of 2 x 5lb'ers caught this year this one was fin perfect.

The lake I fish in Cyprus has a fair number of channel cats , most are small . I never kill a bass , so i was wondering if you guys had ever found the remains of a cat fish in a bass or whether the spiky fins prevent them being eaten . Bob

Take a look at baghdadflyfishing.com , better fishing than in Cyprus !

Saw some photos a year or so back of a British soldier with a good fish he caught in the presidents palace lake. Looked like a barbel , he caught it on a waffle. The lake area is designed like the set of the Flintstones - one of Saddam's little quirks . Best of luck and stay safe , Bob

I used to do a lot of fly fishing for trout and I have caught a few trout with a team of flies hanging out of their anus , having passed through , even some big muddler minnows on one occasion . I have also caught plenty with fresh pike or cormorant damage, I mean guts spilling out and big deep slashes - it didn't seem to affect their appetite ! I reckon this proves fish don't feel pain the way we do . Bob

Hi guys, I am real glad to find some chat from other bassfishers. I moved to Cyprus from the UK 2 years ago -- what a difference fishing rocky dams with seemingly no weed . the weed is now showing because of the extreme low water here this year. when the dams are full it must be 30 feet down or more ! I was a very keen flyfisher and float tuber in the UK , alas no chance of tubing here. The bass do respond to flies but I have caught more and bigger fish since I started using senkos and spinnerbaits . Best bass so far 7.5 lb on a yamamoto kreature, best fish a mirror carp 12lb on a senko . Latest acquisition , I sold 2 top fly reels and a rod to buy a decent spinning reel ... Shimano Stella C3000S. A real beauty !! That'll do for now , catch you later Bob Bassfisher

Even here in Cyprus my mate and I have only caught on spinnerbaits for the last month , absolutely zero on plastics. Bob

Hey, well done, that's a pretty fish . Looks about 10 lb to me . I am from the UK ,carp there grow to 60lb but anything over 30lb is a good fish. I now live in Cyprus and fish for largemouth bass, I caught a similar mirror carp there on a 5" rootbeer senko ! he just picked it up before any retrieve and ran with it . Tight lines ,Bob