We Predicted the Rise of the Bluegill. You Laughed… Until…
By Tom Chandler on Jun 12, 2007 in Underground Entertainment
Sure, our post spoofing “exclusive” fisheries (featuring the spoofy “Mt. Eddy Executive Bluegill Ranch” Web site) was all in good fun, but as is often the case, reality pushes fiction aside in its headlong rush for weirdness.
From the Louisville Courier-Journal (via the Flyfishmagazine blog; give ‘em a visit) comes news of a fishing guide specializing in… Bluegill.
There’s a new fish in town. And he’ll kick your popper’s ass…
This isn’t some moke with a canoe. It’s a guy with one of those bazillion-dollar bass boats (the kind that measures gas consumption in gallons per minute), presumably charging top dollar for the privilege.
From the Courier-Journal Article:
Mason started arming his boat with ultralight tackle and plying areas that he knew had a track record of harboring bedding ‘gills. Hundred-fish days became the norm, and customers flooded in from surrounding states.
“I have several people from Kentucky who come down and bluegill fish with me,” he said.
He soon was turning away business.
It’s clear now that the Underground’s ability to predict the future should never be doubted, even when we present those predictions in the form of satire.
In short, we’ve seen the future of the fly fishing world. And it’s us, baby. All us.
Let the bluegill feeding frenzy begin. See you at the launch ramp (waiting for the guide), Tom Chandler.
Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fishing, bluegill
Santo Roman | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply
I never really got into fly fishing for bluegill until I moved to New Jersey. Now I’d say I fish warm water fish about 75% of the time. Keep it up.
Murdock | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply
Could this be the begining of the tweedbag panfish movement? Thanks for the linkage!
kbarton10 | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply
…how does the scrappy and muscular “Pirhana of Fresh Water” fit with the white wine and Brie, bamboo afficienados?
Regular bluegill fishing can induce a state of the “flinchies” - the nervous twitch that results from anticipating recoil from a short barreled .44 magnum. It is a significant paradigm shift from the light lines and tippets of trout fame.
This may be part of the Blog upgrade TC threatened; expanded coverage of freshwater, jettisoning the bamboo angle, and a new title - complete with Miami Vice pastel advertising…
My Vote: If It Eats Flies, It Dies
ethanopia | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply
I took a bunch of bluegill and crappie on an Adams and an emerger pattern this week end! I was on my in laws pontoon I always have a rod with me, I saw some bugs coming off towards sunset, and decided I’d plop something similar close to the rocks on the shore. Every cast was an exlposive little bite about everyt third was a good hook up.
Plop it down, wait wait, twitch twitch, GULP!!!
It is fun…
Tom Chandler | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply
kbarton: The savvy guide knows that bluegill are a sure-fire hit with snooty fly anglers, especially once the bamboo-waving effetes are told the spiny critter is a just-discovered species of warmwater trout.
And no, no upgrade yet. I have paying clients, who — astonishingly — expect me to write things for them before they send me checks.
Like most of my readers, I have little stomach for honest work.
Clay | Jun 13, 2007 | Reply
Love those bluegills! Although I’d rather fish Trout or Smallies. I go out a couple times a year to collect a “Bucket O’ Bluegill” for a carnivorous feast. A grand time for all involved. All you need is some of those wiggle nymphs I sent Tom, a lake, a bottle of Dewars and a friend with a “Fat Boy” fryer. OOHHHH, I can’t wait!!!!