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

August 21, 2024

Took Wednesday off work to go fishing.  I needed 6 Bowfin to get to 200 Lifetime Bowfin on Fly.  I think that's pretty cool, considering I caught my first one ever in 2022.  

I went to a location about twice as far away from home as my usual bowfin spot.  Wasn't sure I'd reach the goal today, but thought maybe I'd inch closer to it.  I got there, and water was lower than when I'd last been here in the Spring.  Some decent spots were dry or otherwise unfishable.

Short story...I reached my goal!  I caught exactly 6 Bowfin.  They were smaller that the ones I usually catch, but cute little buggers!

I also caught Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, and a BOATLOAD of Warmouth!

Warmouth

Warmouth

Green Sunfish

White Crappie

possible Hybrid Crappie

Black Crappie

Seen while fishing:

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (some females are black, while others are yellow with black stripes like the males)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

This Plain-bellied Water Snake was my buddy.  He came flying off the high bank into the water chasing frogs.  I was snagging sticks in the water...I'd unhook them and toss them onto the bank on my left.  The snake would chase the sticks and attack them as if they were another snake.  I'd pet him with my rod tip.  He never seemed to mind.  He finally came over and rested next to my shoe.

Plain-bellied Water Snake