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MEMBER'S CAST
The Pre-Spawn
by Barry Shrader
As the Redbuds begin to first blossom it is a good indication that the pre-spawn within the wonderful commnity of bass at Blue is about the begin.
The pre-spawn can be a wonderful and exciting time for fly fishers and other anglers alike. I am talking about water blasting, sudden and surprising, exhilarating strikes that will leave fishing memories etched in the mind of the angler forever.
During the pre-spawn the spotted and smallmouth bass become almost singular minded. Actually they have only two things on their agenda: eating and making love. It's during this time they become extremely aggressive striking at almost anything presented.
As far as the waters one should seek during the pre-spawn there is no such thing as "bad waters." Pre-spawn bass can be found in wide flat waters, riffles, eddies, and the many remote pools created by the forks and branches of the braided course of our Lady Blue. Some of the most rewarding moments can be in the more remote areas where no other anglers are present and that wonderful gladiator of a bass comes up and blasts the dickens out of your top water presentation.
And, as far as the flies to use; it's certainly not only top water action during the pre-spawn. Large buggers size 6 or larger, Clouser Minnows, leech and minnow patterns, and crawdad imitations work quite well also. The best colors as far as streamers seem to be olive, black, and white in that order.
Top water action - gee whiz what a thrill. Miss Prissy poppers and Round Dinnys work quite well just as hoppers such as Dave's or Al's Hoppers. Bruce Dixon of Whitewright, Texas has tied some marvelous frog patterns that I think are really going to catch some bass. Currently, Bruce has three different color schemes developed and they are available at the Old West Fly Shop at Reagan, Oklahoma....just a hop, skip, and jump away from Blue River. - Good luck this warm water season everyone!
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