The Bassheaven Report

Thanks for reading this Bassheaven report. I returned to Ocala National Forest this week. I can assure you that summer has made its way into central Florida, despite what the astronomers might say.

Last week I was all excited about my Squirmles flies. The fish eat them. Then the Squirmles fall apart. Failed experiment. Stick to rabbit strips, John.

Tuesday

A bit of loveliness at Cowpen Pond.

In the morning I made my way up to the Forest. First fishing stop was Cowpen Pond, a beautiful place. Dropped the kayak in and began a short reconnaissance. Because the fish weren’t hitting like a pack of starving piranhas, I only stayed there an hour or so. I suspect it deserves more attention- it was my first time there, after all!

Lots of water lilies all through the Forest.

From there I went to Echo Lake. This one was real small- five acres! I took a few casts from shore, didn’t see anything or get a bite, so I left.

Went to Sellers Lake. Cast a few times from the shoreline, wasn’t feeling it, left and went to Farles Lake. It gave up quite a few bass, all small, and danged few on the fly.

From there I made my way to Alexander Springs Recreation Area. Checked in, and met Nick Colantonio at the campsite. We dined, and chatted, and watched it get dark, and crashed, Nick in his tent, I in the van. It was warm. Glad I have fans!

Wednesday

Alexander Springs Run.

We went to Alexander Springs Run. The bass, all small ones, bit well in the morning on both flies and plastic worms. They were still on beds there, the only ones we saw. As the sun climbed, the action shut down. We paddled up to the spring. It’s such a pretty creek! Fished most of the way back with two dinkers to show for it.

Why do I call it bass heaven??

It was still pretty early. Nick wanted to hang out. I went to Sellers Lake. I did not get any monsters but action was good on both fly and plastic. I found schooling fish and missed five strikes on as many casts. I checked the fly- broken hook. Put a new one on, got a couple fish, started missing them again. Checked the fly- broken hook. I don’t think I’ve ever broken two hooks on a trip before, much less in ten minutes. I’m in a boat- it’s not like I’m hitting rocks on the backcast.

Sellers Lake sunset.

Thursday

Nick wasn’t feeling well. I went to Sellers Lake alone, with the idea of paddling through the canal to Chain-O-Lakes. The trip through the canal was about a mile long, the cranes giving a Jurassic feel to the spectacular morning. Got fish immediately upon arrival, first on plastic, then on the bug. Schoolies were chasing bait, exciting fishing although the fish were small.

The lake had a small beach, rare in my brief Forest experience. I went there to have lunch and spend some time not sitting in the kayak. I waded and fly cast without result to a grassline. Reeled in to wade back and take lunch. A five-pound bass swam right past me- I swear it was checking me out, sensing it was safe, perhaps?

Landing the beast.

While eating I was tossing crumbs to the sunnies and guppies, watching them jockey for position to get the cheese. I look up, and sitting fifteen feet away is a four-pound bass, just watching me. Knowing it wouldn’t work, I bent down, picked up the spin rod, and tossed the worm out five feet beyond the fish. To my utter astonishment the fish went right over and sucked it in. I caught it! Best fish of the trip!

The photo doesn’t do this fish justice.

Returned to camp to check on Nick. He wanted to try the late shift. We went to Grasshopper Lake, a beautiful piece of water. We got a few fish but it was slow…

The bug in question, in the maw of the fish.

Friday

The dragonflies were plentiful and colorful.

We went to Sellers Lake. A few schoolies on fly, a few fish blind-casting plastic. I was to drive home afterwards, so quit when the action slowed.

Nick makes his way out on the lake.

It was great seeing Nick, and Ocala Forest truly is bass heaven. But I won’t be camping in Florida again until about November. It’s getting to be dawn patrol time of year for anglers.

Flycasting to schoolies.

Nick, thanks for joining me!

That’s the bassheaven report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

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