Crooked Creek (Snow Access)

[flyflinger]

I went down to the access (at the end of my road) yesterday to do a little metal detecting around the campsites. So much aluminum foil on the ground you could not get through the junk. So, I popped the lid on my pick up truck tool box and took out my 5 wgt fly rod and tied on a little popper. I proceeded to the waters edge and began to cast toward the fast water. After a couple of casts, I found a seam in the riffle and drifted the popper into it. POW, the strike was so sudden I lifted the rod tip too quickly and pulled the popper away from him. So, I rested the water a few minutes and caught a couple of small redears. Then I drifted the popper back into the seam. This time when the fish rose to the fly, I let him have it for a second or two, then raised the rod tip and it was FISH ON!. :D I don't think he even realized he was hooked till I had him half way across the creek, then he turned on and gave me quite a tussle. Bringing him to hand I discovered a 12' beautiful Crooked Creek Smallmouth. I took his picture on my phone and set him free. I would love to post the picture, but I don't know how to get the picture from my phone to the page. Anyhow, I plan to go back today to try for another. Tight lines you guys.

[NIMROD]

Those Smallmouth Bass are real scrappers. I love to catch those as much as Crappie if not more. Did'nt think there would be any Redears in the creek. Bet it's full of Green Sunfish and Pumpkinseeds.

[flyflinger]

Yep, readears, pumpkinseed, bluegills, warmouth, bullhead catfish, chanel cats, smallmouth bass and snakes. Caught 2 pumpkin seeds today before I broke my tippet. Had to go back to the house, its so close I left my tackle bag there.

[Darryl Morris]

Great story, thanks

[jlaughlin72]

Metal detecting sounds fun, but the fishing sounded more fun... congrats on the ones you caught. Maybe one day i will catch a small mouth.
I dont know what service you use, i use sprint and I have to send he pics to a sprint website, then go there and download them to my pc.

[minnowman]

That's a great post Flyfinger....I bet that was QUITE a surprise! Let me know how the fishing turns out on your return visits, sure hope to see pics of that 12' smallmouth, they are beautiful fish! MM

[flyflinger]

I used to fish Crooked Creek a lot, but with all the hoopla about gravel mining and such, the local farmers and ranchers have closed off all the old accesses. Too bad too, it was great fishing on a creek without much pressure. I used to wade and fly fish in shorts in summer. One day, I was bout hip deep in the middle of the creek and I heard a splash to my rear. I did not think anything of it since branches fall in the creek all the time. But, as I was standing there casting downstream, a really big beaver shot between my legs and scared the crap out me. He seemed to want to fish that spot, so I let him have it. But I did manage to catch a 16" smallmouth on the fly that day before the beaver showed up. I got some cool salt water fish stories too. Maybe I can make a crappie camp one day and share them with all ya'll around the old fire.

[minnowman]

sounds good flyfinger, i'm really hoping the next time we have a crappie camp on beaver lake that you are able to attend. great story, bet that beaver was a scary moment! MinnowMan