Pond at work, 3-21-2015

[AllenOK]

I had a little extra time Saturday after I ended my shift, so I decided to stop by the fishing pond on property and see if anything was responding to the warming temps. As I was walking down to the pond, I saw a couple surface hits, small fish slurping midges, so I figured I would try an early-season tactic I fished last year.

I had one of my 7 spinning rod, a weighted float, and a 1/80th micro jig that I've done as a Peacock and Starling soft hackle. Something small, natural colors, and buggy looking, since the fish are targeting bugs and nymphs.

Well, it definitely worked! First cast landed this:

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I ended up with 8 fish landed. Here's the others.

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There are also some Hybrid Sunfish in this pond. Last year, an associate's husband came in and cleaned out most of the big fish (supposed to be catch-and-release) before management found out. I did manage to catch a couple smaller Hybrids:

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I'm of mixed feeling about the "poaching". I've been fishing this pond for years. Since I work there, I have permission. I know the rules. Honestly, I don't agree with the C&R policy; you have to take some fish out or the population will stunt. The guy removed a bunch of fish, against the rules, but honestly, they needed to go anyway. C'est la Vie!

 

[Jig Man]

Nice fish, to bad ya can't take some to eat. It would help the pond..

 

[plateboater]

Good start to the year

 

[reefmo]

thats pretty fun! small fish, but they sure can be a blast.

 

[LedHed]

excellent report & catch. Like the coloration on the hybrids..

 

[AllenOK]

LedHed, there are some F2 Hybrids in there as well. Those are weird looking, mostly dark olive shot through with black.