Went over to a local Smallmouth Lake for a couple hours this AM. When I pulled up I saw about 50 Blue Herons perched on an island.



I had never seen a large group of Blue Herons like that before.

Fishing was pretty good. Caught half a dozen, 2 on top, the rest on a brown/orange leech. Strong fighters.















Willi

"When I pulled up I saw about 50 Blue Herons perched on an island."

That has to be a good sign that there are plenty of fish around. Very cool.

Yeah, I've never seen anything even close to that number. Usually they are solitary. Maybe a nesting site?

Nice fish

Nice fish Willi!!!
I once came very close to soiling myself when I got within about 3 feet of a Heron while bass fishing. Never saw him until he took off and I fell on my a$$. He almost hit me with his wing tip as he took off.

What was the topwater bug you got 'em on Willi?

Either they were clubbing, or someone posted a report about the size of those freaking monster smallies.

Nice fish!

This one and the same pattern in black. They worked well in Horsetooth too.



Willi

There are lots of them in the area but I've never seen them hang together.

Willi

...herons have rookeries, they all nest in the same area, usually the same group of trees, I've seen rookeries of over 50 nests about the size of an osprey nest, they're very noisy places...

Nice smallies!

I've yet to see herons in any group larger than two 99% of the time, they are a single heron waiting for a dumb fish. Cool pic.

nice smallies. we should head out there together sometime.

I fished it as a kid with spinning gear, but nothing serious. Might have some interest in taking a look now though.

Awesome fish Willi. I am suffering through the pulling up of the carpeting today. I must join you soon - I enjoyed the fast trout action last week. But the high of that is wearing off now and have to go again... I have been tying up some ants for the high lakes. I must say that your bass bug looks excellent. Thank you for posting the step by step, too. I am going to tie some of those up in between the floor work.

Were you shore or boat fishing?

Mark

Belly boat


I appreciate it that you guys who recognize the lake are avoiding mentioning the name. 90% of the people fishing it, fish for the few stockers that still go in the lake. The Bass are not harassed very much. The Bass population is very healthy right now with a strong class of fish from 15 to 18 inches.


There is also a small population of the biggest Common Carp that I have seen in Colorado. I see them now and again and always in the same place. I've never seen them feeding.

Willi

WHAT DID I HEAR? CARP?!?!?!?!?

Thanks for the pattern Willi. I didn't realize you could put a watercraft of any kind out there. Might have to hit my brother up for his canoe.

I don't know if you can use a canoe. I've never seen one on the lake. The regs sat no boating but the ranger told me that bellyboats are OK when I asked him and they have driven by while I was putting in several times. I took my pontoon out one time and I've seen a number of pontoons on the lake while the lake was being patrolled. A bellyboat can easily get you to MOST of the "good" spots.

Willi