Last Thursday, I took a day off for two reasons: it's back to school and I wanted to take my daughter with me, but also to work at the office and organize the next few weeks, as the season is far from over.
Each day without guidance often rhymes with "fishing" even if it is not always possible and that they are often short sessions. The conditions are good, and I go to one of my favorite spots where at the end of the descent and the beginning of the ascent, the bass are very active at the moment.
Hunting in the shrimp!
Just arrived that I find very marauding bass on the edge. They are on shrimp and generally very selective and not easy to catch in these conditions.
They move forward very slowly facing the bank to push the shrimps and then they rush at full speed with their tail to snatch them.
It is often difficult to present them with a fly in these conditions, although sometimes a small well presented shrimp can work. They can also come on a crab, because present on these same areas and one of their favorite food.
After several refusals, or fish that don't appreciate the fly or sometimes the presentation, I decide to put my favorite crab. The tide is coming in and the bass are still there. A nice fish approaches and I see it earlier than the others which allows me to place my imitation well before it is stuck to the edge.
He continues to advance, then sees my crab. Without any acceleration, he will come and pick my fly gently. Gentle but firm tying. He is at the end and leaves at full speed towards the open sea. After the first rush, a few strokes of the head, I bring him back safely. Superb action and always a pleasure to see them come and suck your fly at 5 meters from you!
A great action on the surface!
The wind rises and the edges become cloudy because of the suspended silt. Difficult to continue to see in these conditions. I still want to fish and so I decide to change my approach and go to another spot.
Since they are on shrimp, I go to an oyster bed that is just getting covered with water on the rise. It's the perfect time. I had recently rigged up some pop-shrimp which are small floating shrimp imitations in the shape of a gurgler (surface fly). These types of patterns are sliders that push water and make a little noise.
I prospect around the park and especially the row that is just being covered by the tide. There is no point in casting too far, the bass are often underneath and waiting for the different preys that circulate around the obstacles: shrimps, small fish and crabs.
Barely ten minutes after having started, a big spray of water and eddies are formed on my fly which is literally sucked in! The fight is intense and fast to get it out of there, under penalty of breakage. It is finally a sea bass just above the mesh which will appear on the surface with my floating shrimp in the corner of the mouth. A very violent attack which made me live beautiful emotions.
Another bass will come on my fly a little later. The waters are getting dirtier and it's time to head back.
