Crooked Creek (Snow Access)

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.:eek: 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.

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.

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.

Great story, thanks

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.

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

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.

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