OCTOBER 2026

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.

Bowfin

Eyetail / Emerald Bowfin (all)

Shortnose Gar

Warmouth

Warmouth

White Bass

Melanistic (black) Shortnose Gar

23.5" Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass

32" Striped Bass on a 7wt fly rod & Clouser Deep Minnow

Smallmouth Buffalo

Bigmouth Buffalo

Net stuffers! :)

Silver Carp

Channel Catfish

Bowfin Skull

31" Striped Bass on a 7wt fly rod & Clouser Deep Minnow