Names Andrew,
I started fishing about two years ago on live worms wrapped around an available hook, since then I've moved on to the fly and have caught the bug. I am interested in majoring and attaining an advanced degree in a marine biological field, or possibly a fisheries specialty.
That leads to the point of the thread. At the moment I am exclusively wade fly fishing (9 weight) a medium sized pond (Width=40 yds Length=120-150) It seems to be extremely well taken care of, I see what seems to be an aerator, there is a rather large pier, plenty of sub surface trees, a few overhangs, and points. It seems to be about 4' deep 4' off the bank I'd guess 8'-10' in the middle. I am starting a fishing log right now and so far the data I am going to collect:
Conditions: Sun/Moon rise, noon, set, distance from earth at the time of both, moon phase, Weather: air temp hourly for whatever time fished.
I also intend to record what flies I use and what retrieves were used for both succesful and unsuccessful attempts. Lengths, girths, mouth colorations, and where specifically they were caught.
I have drawn a map of the pond with a legend of all structure and available cover I am aware of with the intention of adding too.
About 5 years ago there was a fish recorded (or so I've been told twice) at 8 pounds. I saw about 4 bass of 5 or more pounds obliterating bream in a shallow flat, and what I believe to be a bass (skepticism comes from size) 12-15LBS on a glance.
(Never seen carp, or cats in there, and it was facing the bank at night when I got to see it.
My questions are:
What am I missing for my daily log? (it is only going to be for this pond.)
How should I measure water temp?
How to best determine gender?
Does anyone have knowledge of what I can derive from the coloration of the inner top lip?
Also I am looking for fly patterns that immitate a rather large Bream, I want to target the lunker.
I have read pretty religiously since I found this site a few weeks ago and intend on becoming a regulare poster. All tips are welcome, especially fly specific. ...And this turned out to be pretty long and dry, thanks for reading it.
