Question:

I will be in Mitchell SD for opening day of phesant season next week. Does anyone know of any good areas near Mitchell that I could do a little fishing?

Response:

4 hours drive to the black hills.  Some trout in the missouri river below the dam (damn?) near Pierre (2 hour drive).  Bass in Lake Mitchell. steve haun sioux falls, sd

I will be in Mitchell SD for opening day of phesant season next week. Does anyone know of any good areas near Mitchell that I could do a little

fishing?

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Just outside of Rapid City are two lovely streams that hold good fish and have excellent hatches.  Spring Creek and Rapid Creek. They are really worth fishing.

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Question:

flyfish writes: Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish

If you plan on staying at Lakewood, you’ll have to make reservations with Sue. Info is on the clave web site.  There are ways to walk in, however, and I’m sure you are aware of them.  <g   Hope to see you there, as well as Mudfish…… Dave

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flyfish writes: Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish If you plan on staying at Lakewood, you’ll have to make reservations with Sue. Info is on the clave web site.  There are ways to walk in, however, and I’m sure you are aware of them.  <g   Hope to see you there, as well as Mudfish……

Knowing Ed and Dave, they’ll probably sleep in the truck…if they haven’t gotten it stuck somewhere. Dave B: if you come in from Wilson’s, use the NEW road. There’s a bridge missing on the Old Middledam Road… /daytripper (whose Pathfinder nearly "found" Sturtevant Stream one night)

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Having never been myself I’ll have to let Mud navigate. Lemme see, if we leave early the 10th we should be there for the camp breaking exercises. Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – flyfish writes: Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish If you plan on staying at Lakewood, you’ll have to make reservations with Sue. Info is on the clave web site.  There are ways to walk in, however, and I’m sure you are aware of them.  <g   Hope to see you there, as well as Mudfish…… Knowing Ed and Dave, they’ll probably sleep in the truck…if they haven’t gotten it stuck somewhere. Dave B: if you come in from Wilson’s, use the NEW road. There’s a bridge missing on the Old Middledam Road… /daytripper (whose Pathfinder nearly "found" Sturtevant Stream one night)

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Is there one? Where might it be? Mudfish and I may attend after all being as it’s all of an hour and a bit drive from my place Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more http://members.xoom.com/lokiskinder JG13 A proud Red Baron 2 squadron

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Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Go to Paul Goodwin’s site: http://www.paul.goodwinweb.com/maineclave2000.html Hope to see you and Mudfish there. Dave Dave LaCourse

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flyfish writes: Is there one? Where might it be? Mudfish and I may attend after all being as it’s all of an hour and a bit drive from my place Flyfish

Go to Paul Goodwin’s site: http://www.paul.goodwinweb.com/maineclave2000.html Hope to see you and Mudfish there. Dave Dave LaCourse

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The thread I started a month or so back to announce the web page went off topic and down hill fast. You can find the site at: http://www.paul.goodwinweb.com/maineclave2000.html Day_tripper supplied most of the photos for the flies. The one pattern I need a good photo of is a strawman. If anyone has one please email it to me. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there one? Where might it be? Mudfish and I may attend after all being as it’s all of an hour and a bit drive from my place Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more http://members.xoom.com/lokiskinder JG13 A proud Red Baron 2 squadron

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Question:

…  got real sick.  bad stomach ache.  threw up a lot.  a real clear, slightly amber viscous vomitus.  bad gas pains. real cramping belly wrenchers.

That water probably wouldn’t be so bad without the absinthe. — Ken Fortenberry

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You know, if I ever have the big one….I hope I’m around you guys…..I mean I wouldn’t have to worry about extended efforts to prolong my life without regard to the quality of it….taint no mercy here!     john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Personally, I like to use a died marabou I get at the local hobby shop. Yea: go with the died marabou. The live ones are ugly bastards and they’ve got bloody great sharp beaks! Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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Personally, I like to use a died marabou I get at the local hobby shop.

Yea: go with the died marabou. The live ones are ugly bastards and they’ve got bloody great sharp beaks! Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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_____  One of these days, I should probably reveal the greatest secret known to man regarding the deadliest WOOLLY BUGGER Pattern known.  I should probably do it for Flies of the World because that is where everyone will find it, but this is a moral dilemma!  Who does Catch & Release and how many (in secret and behind our backs) really are Catch & Killers!??  Ahhhhh, the question boggles the mind. I have been told by a friend that if I reveal this pattern (MickeyMouse-a code word known to only a few) I would probably be assassinated, ground up into flake food and used in all the aquariums owned by ROFFIANS!  (Who would chuckle in glee dispensing me even way past midnight!) I will instruct in my will to reveal this pattern if I don’t change my mind before hand.  This pattern will triple the tonnage for all the fly fishing killers in ROFF . . . thereby, making me immortal in the eyes of mine gill-sayers. Oh!  The price of glory and it is so fleeing!  The fish and the fly is gone leaving us once again with only tippet in hand. Isn’t life a bitch?! — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

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Personally, I like to use a died marabou I get at the local hobby shop.  The dark green tends to fade after you fish it for a while – giving it a streaked appearance like what would be on the carapace of a crawdad (crayfish) when twitched along the bottom. Pearl chenille works great for spring fishing, add a dash of flashabou in the white marabou tail for an extra attention getter. I almost always tie with a bead head, and sometimes a silver works better than a brass and visa versified. Sometimes I’ll make the body out of two colors of chenille…black and brown or perhaps use a contrasting hackle color. Often I’ll tie in a few bright red wispy hanging down strands of marabou in the tail, with maybe one or two coming off the body to give an impression of a minnow with his guts hanging out.  Called up Erie way a ‘bleeding minnow.’ If I’m planning on fishing it along the bottom, I’ll use a shorter hackle but for ripping it through the water I like a real long hackle to give plenty of pulsation. I use basically one size of hook but vary the length of the body and where I begin the tail. Having contrast helps avoid changing light conditions, and having to change colors so often Personally, I have to rank a wooly bugger right up there at the top of the list. john p.s. went steelhead fishing.  the water was real cold. before the sun came up the air was real cold.  shoulda had a net.  steelhead have teeth…..up around lake erie, they get their drinking water from the lake.   put a lotta chlorine in it.  got real sick.  bad stomach ache.  threw up a lot.  a real clear, slightly amber viscous vomitus.  bad gas pains. real cramping belly wrenchers.

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Question:

Yesterday I got news from a friend that Sydney Harbour was really firing, with big schools of bonito and yellowtail kingfish feeding on top nearly all morning – he and his wife got several good bonnies on fly and lost a kingie, fly line and all before leaving, sick of catching ‘em. I got my gear out before bed, putting a Teeny ‘head on my 11 wt and an intermediate on the 8. The sky was clearing after intermittent drizzle since Christmas Eve. I woke up at 5am this morning to the sound of pouring rain. It’s been going all day (it’s nearly 1 pm now). The wind is up around 15kts, a southerly, which ruins my chances in my 4.2m runabout. I’ve downloaded all the Win’98 Y2K patches I can, I’ve upgraded my antivirus data files, I’ve eaten most of the leftovers in the fridge, but there are a I’M PISSED OFF I WANT TO GO FISHING JK

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I know how you feel John, s’been hissing down here for 3 days or so … still we need it.  Having decided to take the plunge (finally!) into the salt  I’ve been tying a box full of saltwater flies in anticiaption and what happens? … still we need it. good luck when the weather breaks. Steve

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I wish we had some of that rain! Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com Before you buy.

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I’ve got a lot of empty bottles here I could fill for you.

John : If you want, you could send a bunch of bottles of rain to Dallas. Nearby Lake Lewisville is still 13.3 feet low and weather liers offer no help. The weather here was 73 degrees this afternoon with blue skies and the wind was less than 20 m.p.h.  If this keeps up all the catfish will die of sunburn. There Waldo and Jeff are fishing in beautiful gray days and knocking ice out of their rod guides and we are stuck in this damn bluebird kind of days and still wearing shorts and sandals. I am jealous. It is still too hot to enjoy a Young’s Oatmeal Stout. Big Dale Big Dale

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….It is still too hot to enjoy a Young’s Oatmeal Stout.

Unimaginable Dale.  Never been a fan of hot weather myself but it’s never too hot to drink a good beer, especially if it accompanies a nice mess of fried bluegills. And as the latter are something of a specialty of yours I should think you’d be in pretty good shape.  Bottoms up!

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Where are you Forrest? I’ve got a lot of empty bottles here I could fill for you. Cheers JK

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish we had some of that rain! Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com Before you buy.

Response:

Big Dale, Don’t worry, that’s the one thing with the weather – I guarantee it will change (for better or for worse is the only question, and not even the meteorologists know that!). You wouldn’t believe it here today, not a cloud in the sky, no wind, 25deg Some how I have to tell my better half that I’m going to get some of those kingies at 5am tomorrow morning (New Years Eve), it might be my last chance. Cheers JK

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Question:

How are the fly fishing conditions on the Kern, above and below Lake Isabella? Don

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don’t expect much,  unless recently planted, or unless you hike in above Johnsondale to the Forks of the Kern.  Heavily fished, water too warm in summer for trout.  poor natural replenishment of native trout– many squawfish.  Can fish ok in November

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Question:

Looking for info on FF in Ireland in the Spring. — Steven Locke, MD Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 617.859.5415 617.527.3343 fax

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Dr. Locke,       I will be hosting trips (2,3 or 4 people) to County Cork in the Southwest  of Ireland this coming Spring and again in September. The water fished has an  excellent run of Salmon. However if the Salmon aren’t in the river there is a  good head of wild Brown trout.       I am billing these trips as "fly fishing vacations" as we combine,  fishing , and to the extent requested, tours of the nearby area. County Cork  is known as the food capital of Ireland and the area we fish abounds with  gourmet resturants.       The cost is $2345 each; 2-3 guests, $2145 each – 4  Price includes meals, lodging, all in country transportation (pickup at  airport0, licences, ghillies and fees. Airfare to Ireland and alcohol are not  included.      I have over 40 years fly fishing experience and own and operate an Orvis  shop in Virginias Shenandoah Valley. If you would like more information, give     Cheers,         Jim Finn                                    Jim Finn                        Mossy Creek Fly Shop                           Bridgewater, VA                              540-828-0033                 "In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley"

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is the Blackwater Lodge in County Cork. Their web page is on http://indigo.ie/~bwlodge Andrew Associate Editor, Waterlog Magazine http://www.demon.co.uk/medlarpress/

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Question:

Not entirely true.  Maine allows flyfishing, catch and release, is some of it’s waters.  You need to get a law book and check.  It offers some great fall fishing if you do not mind catch and release. Regards……

Response:

Fishing seasons are lame. I’ve never lived in a state where you couldn’t go out and fish ( practicing C/R of course) in the dead of winter if you so desired. In these days and times and with the extensive licsenceing (sp?) fees collected and with ever tightening fisheries management, you’d think I could rip some lip any old time I wanted. Go west Connie. Maine isn’t good enough for you. (of course I’ve never been to Maine, though I almost honeymooned there) you can fish 24/7/365.

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Fishing seasons are lame. I’ve never lived in a state where you couldn’t go out and fish ( practicing C/R of course) in the dead of winter if you so desired. In these days and times and with the extensive licsenceing (sp?) fees collected and with ever tightening fisheries management, you’d think I could rip some lip any old time I wanted. Go west Connie. Maine isn’t good enough for you. (of course I’ve never been to Maine, though I almost honeymooned there) you can fish 24/7/365.

Actually there are several rivers in Me. where you can C&R artificials only for landlocked salmon. Also, in Sept. the striper fishing is often great, and in October & November there are sea run browns that put their sweetwater cousins to shame (and taste fantastic).Not that I want to encourage any MORE people to come up…I’ll be lucky to make it home tonite as it is :-                         jc

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We are going to Maine in October 3 – 8  and I was wondering what kind of fly fishing can be done that time of year if any and what the rules are? We plan to go to Acadia  and to Baxter State Park.   Any thing would be helpful.                           Thanks                                Connie

Connie,         The truth of the matter is that you can fish in Maine after Oct 1st. When you get here check out the infamous 96-97 open water fishing bible, and you’ll notice numerous ponds, lakes and streams open to fishing after Oct 1st. to the 31st., but all are catch and release during that month. All are at least artificial lure only, and some are fly-fishing only. There are a couple of rivers open all year long that are catch and release only such as the Nezinscot River in Turner. One of the most productive rivers open under this regulation will probably be the East Outlet of the Kennebec river starting at Moosehead lake. On the Kennebec from Skowhegan to Augusta there is a two-fish limit on Salmon and trout all year long. Hope you have a great time in Maine. Dave P.S. Watch out for Moose.

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We are going to Maine in October 3 – 8  and I was wondering what kind of fly fishing can be done that time of year if any and what the rules are? We plan to go to Acadia  and to Baxter State Park.   Any thing would be helpful.                            Thanks                                 Connie

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Connie, I hate to be the one to rain on your parade…but the fishing season in Maine closes as of September 30.  You will be relegated to leaf peeping and moose gazing.    Enjoy,    Gerry

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Question:

Curt:  I use a 2 wt. for bream and small bass all the time on creeks here in TX.  Jack Ellis used to only use two rods (3wt. and 10 wt.) when I first met him.  The main problem with light rods for bass isn’t the fish, it’s the size of the flies.  My favorite rods are 5 wts. I only go for the 8wts. When I know I’ll be after big bass and using big flies.         All the reports I’ve had on St. Croix rods are positive.         If you really get into warmwater FF, send me your mailing address and I’ll mail you a couple of my newsletters.  Ellis an I publish one exclusively for the warmwater crowd.                                         Brian

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Howdy folks,    I have a question about rods for panfish, bass, etc.    I just moved to S. Dakota (the eastern end away from the trout streams in the black hills).  It’s pretty obvious thus far that the majority of my fishing will entail warm water fish.  As an avid small stream trout fisherman, my only rod that I own is a nice little 7′6" 3wt. I think I may be a little undergunned for bass    I have no idea what rod to get (yeah, I could look in books, but all my stuff is still packed away in various places….).  I was thinking about a St. Croix, since funds are a little tight and I’ve heard great things about ‘em, but what size, 7wt, 9wt ??  What would a good all around warm water rod?    Any advice would be appreciated, and any offers to sell me a good used rod would be even more appreciated thanks,    curt Curt Anderson Post-Doctoral Research Fellow University of South Dakota School of Medicine Dept. of Anatomy & Structural Biology Vermillion, SD 57069

I’d go with a 7 or 8 for bass…. for a good all around warm water rod(s), I would get a 4 | 5 and a 7….. -Dan-

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Howdy folks,         I have a question about rods for panfish, bass, etc.         I just moved to S. Dakota (the eastern end away from the trout streams in the black hills).  It’s pretty obvious thus far that the majority of my fishing will entail warm water fish.  As an avid small stream trout fisherman, my only rod that I own is a nice little 7′6" 3wt. I think I may be a little undergunned for bass         I have no idea what rod to get (yeah, I could look in books, but all my stuff is still packed away in various places….).  I was thinking about a St. Croix, since funds are a little tight and I’ve heard great things about ‘em, but what size, 7wt, 9wt ??  What would a good all around warm water rod?         Any advice would be appreciated, and any offers to sell me a good used rod would be even more appreciated thanks,         curt Curt Anderson Post-Doctoral Research Fellow University of South Dakota School of Medicine Dept. of Anatomy & Structural Biology Vermillion, SD 57069

Response:

Hi Curt I’d recommend a 9′ for a 7 weight.  It could also be used for trout if you should happen to get near a western river.   Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy folks,         I have a question about rods for panfish, bass, etc.         I just moved to S. Dakota (the eastern end away from the trout streams in the black hills).  It’s pretty obvious thus far that the majority of my fishing will entail warm water fish.  As an avid small stream trout fisherman, my only rod that I own is a nice little 7′6" 3wt. I think I may be a little undergunned for bass         I have no idea what rod to get (yeah, I could look in books, but all my stuff is still packed away in various places….).  I was thinking about a St. Croix, since funds are a little tight and I’ve heard great things about ‘em, but what size, 7wt, 9wt ??  What would a good all around warm water rod?         Any advice would be appreciated, and any offers to sell me a good used rod would be even more appreciated

Hi Curt, I use an inexpensive (not *cheap*) Cortland 6 wt rod and reel on bream and bass with good results.  With 6 wt line I sometimes have a little trouble throwing highly wind-resistant deer hair bugs, though.  I’m about to try loading my reel with 7 wt to see if it improves.  If you want some more detail on my combo, e-mail me.  I’ll be happy to tell you where and how much. By the way, you don’t want to sell your 3 wt, do you?  It’s still an excellent bream rod. -Barry Barry Layfield Huntsville, AL        http://ro.com/~blayf

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Howdy folks,    I have a question about rods for panfish, bass, etc.    I just moved to S. Dakota (the eastern end away from the trout streams in the black hills).  It’s pretty obvious thus far that the majority of my fishing will entail warm water fish.  As an avid small stream trout fisherman, my only rod that I own is a nice little 7′6" 3wt. I think I may be a little undergunned for bass    I have no idea what rod to get (yeah, I could look in books, but all my stuff is still packed away in various places….).  I was thinking about a St. Croix, since funds are a little tight and I’ve heard great things about ‘em, but what size, 7wt, 9wt ??  What would a good all around warm water rod?    Any advice would be appreciated, and any offers to sell me a good used rod would be even more appreciated thanks,    curt Curt Anderson Post-Doctoral Research Fellow University of South Dakota School of Medicine Dept. of Anatomy & Structural Biology Vermillion, SD 57069

I California we use #6, 7 or 8 for warm water fisheries.  If you are using larger bugs, get a larger outfit.  I would get a bass bug taper and use short (7 1/2′), large butt (.023"+), heavy leaders (3x to 0x). William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Question:

Hey kids. The steelhead are here, the steelhead are here. And we *finally* got a ffishing shop in this town!  I’m a happy guy. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

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So… where is this new flyfishing shop that has finally come to the center of the universe, Moscow? Inquiring minds want to know. Is there somewhere else besides WallyWorld, Husky and Garts? Tim

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Question:

In my opinion sweet corn works fine. Put several pieces on the hook and the line.

Grasshoppers work great and you can usualy catch them at the pond. Gordon Gordon Couger – 624 Cheyenne, Stillwater, OK 74075     I do not speak for my employer

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In my opinion sweet corn works fine. Put several pieces on the hook and the line.

I’ve heard here about corn and chicken liver and most recently about cheese and hog brains.  Here’s my dilemma:  the local market didn’t have hog brains or even chicken liver so I bought a few bucks worth of beef liver.  I’ve also got some turkey bologna that I would rather the catfish ate (I thought it was beef bologna!).  For the next week and a half I’ll be studying my butt off for some major exams, but after that I’d like to get the hell out of the city and get me some catfish (pike or carp would be nice  too, I just want to get some big-ass fish!).  Anyway, how can I ‘cure’ these imitation meats so that the fish’ll go for ‘em?  I really don’t want this stuff rotting in my apartment (I don’t have any good smell-proof containers other than a milk container).  Do you have any good formulas for this stuff?  Much thanks in advance.                                                  - IMG Gordon Couger – 624 Cheyenne, Stillwater, OK 74075    I do not speak for my employer

I’m not employed and speak for myself (at times)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I plus our best friends will be camping this weekend at our favorite little private campground near ClearLake.  The campground has a pond containing catfish and a few bass.  The water should be high, and usually this time of the year it is filled with crawdads.  Last May we fished the pond, the crawdads continually stole our baits (nightcrawlers). I’m sure the catfish prey on this critters, but fishing with a crawdad when they are hundreds in the pond probably won’t entice the cats.  What would be the best way to approach the catfish–continue with the nightcrawlers, chicken liver, spray WD-40 on the crawdads?  Thanks in advance!

Try both worms and crawdads. I use a long handled minnow net to catch the crawdads. The trick that worked for me was free spooling with no weight. If the catfish feel resistance, they drop it. Cast as far as you can and leave the bail open to free spool. Wait ’til he takes it for a-ways, (southern literary license), and then set the hook. Experiment with how long you should wait. If they swallow it, set the hook sooner, if they drop it, wait a few more (10?) seconds. If they are biting slow, put a bell on your rod tip and relax. If the crawdads are getting your worms before the catfish, then there are no catfish in that area/depth. They will surely chow down on the crawdads. One other option. If there are really big catfish and bream (perch) in the pond, use a really small hook and catch the small bream. Then put the bream under a cork (away from brush.), and especially at night!…and wait for the dinner bell. High water is great for catfish. They will forage in shallow water/newly flooded area. Also, this time of year they may be spawning and in shallow anyway. Tim

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In my opinion sweet corn works fine. Put several pieces on the hook and the line. Good luck Peter

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I know the best bait in the world for catfish.  If you can locate a place where they slaughter chickens, get yourself a gallon of chicken guts soaked in its blood.  I use a one gallon paint can because the lid fits so tight and believe me you won’t want that lid to come off until you want it to.  The best cat fishing I’ve done is in the deepest part of the lake.  Take a good size hook, maybe an inch space between the shank and point. Tie a piece of line about 1 foot long directly to the eye.  By the eye also attach a thin piece of cloth 6" or so long.  Take a handful of the slimy bloddy mess in the can and hold it to the hook as best as you can and use the strip of cloth to help hold the guts to the hook, just wrap the cloth around and around the hook, but not too tight.  Then use the piece of line to wrap around everything.  Cast it carefully, cause you can through it off easily.  The catfish could care less with piece of cloth on his meal.  The whole time it is on the bottom (tight line fishing) it is oozing blood.  You will catch the biggest fish you have ever caught.  You just pay a price having to handle and smell that stuff. Another great bait is live perch, small ones hooked just under the top fin.  You use nylon line which is tied to branches overhanging the water.  The little perch is swimming just under the water.  Do this just be fore dark.  Catfish come close to shore as well as to the surface at night to feed.  The will find the perch and 50% of the time hook themselves, especially if you have tied to a real springy branch sucu as a willow.  Check your lines early in the morning.  Turtles will come and eat the catfish.  Its pretty exciting to see one of your lines attached to a limb bouncing up and down as you approach it.  If you don’t have many limbs, use cane poles stuck in the mud or even better into a rock facing that goes down into the water.  Its a sign of DEEP water and a great place to catch catfish.    Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I plus our best friends will be camping this weekend at our favorite little private campground near ClearLake.  The campground has a pond containing catfish and a few bass.  The water should be high, and usually this time of the year it is filled with crawdads.  Last May we fished the pond, the crawdads continually stole our baits (nightcrawlers). I’m sure the catfish prey on this critters, but fishing with a crawdad when they are hundreds in the pond probably won’t entice the cats.  What would be the best way to approach the catfish–continue with the nightcrawlers, chicken liver, spray WD-40 on the crawdads?  Thanks in advance! Try both worms and crawdads. I use a long handled minnow net to catch the crawdads. The trick that worked for me was free spooling with no weight. If the catfish feel resistance, they drop it. Cast as far as you can and leave the bail open to free spool. Wait ’til he takes it for a-ways, (southern literary license), and then set the hook. Experiment with how long you should wait. If they swallow it, set the hook sooner, if they drop it, wait a few more (10?) seconds. If they are biting slow, put a bell on your rod tip and relax. If the crawdads are getting your worms before the catfish, then there are no catfish in that area/depth. They will surely chow down on the crawdads. One other option. If there are really big catfish and bream (perch) in the pond, use a really small hook and catch the small bream. Then put the bream under a cork (away from brush.), and especially at night!…and wait for the dinner bell. High water is great for catfish. They will forage in shallow water/newly flooded area. Also, this time of year they may be spawning and in shallow anyway. Tim

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You can try doughballs. — –Betelgeuse

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My wife and I plus our best friends will be camping this weekend at our favorite little private campground near ClearLake.  The campground has a pond containing catfish and a few bass.  The water should be high, and usually this time of the year it is filled with crawdads.  Last May we fished the pond, the crawdads continually stole our baits (nightcrawlers). I’m sure the catfish prey on this critters, but fishing with a crawdad when they are hundreds in the pond probably won’t entice the cats.  What would be the best way to approach the catfish–continue with the nightcrawlers, chicken liver, spray WD-40 on the crawdads?  Thanks in advance!

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My wife and I plus our best friends will be camping this weekend at our favorite little private campground near ClearLake.  The campground has a pond containing catfish and a few bass.  The water should be high, and usually this time of the year it is filled with crawdads.  Last May we fished the pond, the crawdads continually stole our baits (nightcrawlers). I’m sure the catfish prey on this critters, but fishing with a crawdad when they are hundreds in the pond probably won’t entice the cats.  What would be the best way to approach the catfish–continue with the nightcrawlers, chicken liver, spray WD-40 on the crawdads?  Thanks in advance!

Ken, if they are feeding on crawdads, then I would use crawdads.  Sort of "Matching the Hatch" for catfish.  (Excuse me all Fly-Fisher-persons ;^)) The trick is making your crawdad look vulnerable, (an easy meal)  I would try fishing the crawdad suspended 6" off the bottom with a bobber.  It would look like a crawdad that can’t get away. Good Luck! — Hunting and Fishing are the only sports that are even fun to FAIL at… as long as you don’t fail too often!  ;^)

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