As usual, this is all flyfishing.
This month I took one weekend off from fishing. My bowfin spots closed for the year on October 15. I came up ONE bowfin short of achieving 300 Bowfin on Fly in my lifetime (I caught my first one in 2022).
I also caught some good-looking Warmouth. To be fair, these aren't uncommon here if you know where to go... But I'm from Iowa originally, and these were pretty rare in that state... so I really like catching them.
I caught Shortnose Gar, including a very melanistic (black) one that was pretty cool.
I caught a White Bass.
I caught some decent Hybrid Striped Bass (biggest was 23.5" long... maybe @ 6.5 lbs(?)).
In a HUGE unexpected surprise, I caught 2 Striped Bass... 2 weeks apart. One was 32" long, the other was 31" long. Absolutely amazing! So strong!
I caught Smallmouth Buffalo, Bigmouth Buffalo, and Silver Carp. Some of those last two species left me feeling like my net might be too small. :)
I caught a channel catfish.
I saw a dried Bowfin skull that showed some of its impressive dentition.
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| Bowfin |
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| Eyetail / Emerald Bowfin (all) |
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| Shortnose Gar |
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| Warmouth |
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| Warmouth |
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| White Bass |
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| Melanistic (black) Shortnose Gar |
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| 23.5" Hybrid Striped Bass |
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| Hybrid Striped Bass |
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| Hybrid Striped Bass |
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| 32" Striped Bass on a 7wt fly rod & Clouser Deep Minnow |
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| Smallmouth Buffalo |
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| Bigmouth Buffalo |
Net stuffers! :)
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| Silver Carp |
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| Channel Catfish |
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| Bowfin Skull |
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| 31" Striped Bass on a 7wt fly rod & Clouser Deep Minnow |
