First Catch of the Year

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Local Creek

Date- Fished on 3/18/12
1st pic- first catch of the year
I went out last weekend on 3/11 after a decent warm up. Fish were all not seeming to help. All presentation was slow and with different lures. No luck. Just had to get out of the house and make myself think there was a chance I could catch a fish. I went out again this Sunday, after a big warm up over the week, with much better results. First spot I stopped at I didnt get any bites. The second was all I needed. I caught one on the first cast using a Joe Fly spinner. I went with a black tie and silver blade 3/8 ounce. First one was a small one, but a good one to start the season before it is officially spring. The next fish was likely the best Ill get out of this creek for the year. I have caught this one before (provided it has stayed within about 30 feet of the last time I caught it) last year. On Sunday I was using the Joe Fly and fishing by a large boulder, right as I passed the rock I felt a quick tug. I barely jerked back and then it went on a hard run. I managed to land it before it could do any dancing out of the water. Snapped a few pics and sent it back to hopefully catch again this summer. For a creek with average depth of 2 or 3 feet and only about 25 to 30 feet in width, this is a monster. Fish is about 17 or 18 inches. Weighed about 2 or 3 pounds. All approximate. The other pics are of a smaller largemouth I caught later, as well as another decent smallmouth all from same hole. All but one fish caught on Joe Fly in an hour of work. Very pleased with early season success. Hopefully weather holds up and I can go again this week and next weekend before spawn. Good luck to all other venturing out this year!