Pelican Update

[Kayote]

The bass fishing is hot right now at the Pel. Also, bluegill are starting to bite in deeper water. Don't come on a day when the wind is howling. Otherwise, she's on...........

Good Fishing, Kayote
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[travelinangler]

Great news! Thanks for the update K- I've been trying to figure out when I was going to make my spring trip there, maybe within the next couple of weeks.

How are the bass size this year? Can't wait to pull up some dinner plates as well.[cool]
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[Kent]

Great news, wish I had some free time to get out there. Hopefully soon.
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[Kayote]

"How are the bass size this year"

Took two over four in one trip last week. Rumor around Vernal is a state record largemouth was caught and released there a week ago. It's from a pretty reputable source and I'm not talking C&R record either. I know she's in there, hehehe.

Good Bass Fishing, Kayote
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[EmuScud]

Thanks Kayote! A friend of mine and I are planning a trip in Mid May (around the 19th). From you experience, is the bluegill run going to be over by then if they are starting to bite now???? I don't want to miss the spawn this year.

Thanks!
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[Shrimpboy]

I don't know about Kayote, but from my experience, May 19th will be right in the middle of some of the fastest bluegill action that you will see. I've had fabulous days well into June.
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[EmuScud]

Thanks Shrimpboy!!! I better get my vise out to whip up some flies.
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[BADFISH]

WHAT KIND OF FLIES DOES ONE USE AT PELICAN, I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT IT FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, AND I JUST WONDERED IF YOU USE SURFACE POPPERS OR BEADHEADS AND SUCH....BRIGHT COLORS OR NATURAL, MUDDLERS, STREAMERS, OR DRYS??? I WAS THINKING ON GETTIN MY TUBE OUT THERE ONE DAY MAYBE THIS IS THE YEAR...

LATERS,
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[Kayote]

Emuscud,

I agree with Shrimpboy, the 19th of May will no doubt be a perfect time to slam the slabs in shallow at Pelican.

Good Fishing, Kayote
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[casbass]

Does anyone use crickets for Bluegill here in Utah? In Tennessee that's all we use. Every bait shop sells them; even Wal-Mart. I haven't seen crickets for sale here yet.
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[Kayote]

I've only seen crickets for sale in pet shops as pet food, but not for bait. The bait guys at Pelican use a lot of meal worms and night crawlers. I don't think it matters much. I've seen people using bread and killing them. Hey, do you catch red ear (shell crackers) in Tennessee?. I have caught them in California and they're a hoot. Like gargantuan bluegill.

Good Fishing, Kayote
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[Utcatman]

i have never been to pelican but i am hoping to go this year.

JOe
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[AnglerDan]

SWEET!!! Will be up there Sat in the pontoon tube and next month with the bass boat. How are the water levels? Are the bullrushes flooded?
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[Kayote]

Dan,

The water is way up, but it's not full. Yes, you will be fishing the dry reed beds. Watch the weather close before making the trip. Pelican shuts down hard in a cold front. Good luck.

Good Fishing, Kayote
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[casbass]

Yes I have caught shell crackers. They are fighters!
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[Caddfly]

[reply]
WHAT KIND OF FLIES DOES ONE USE AT PELICAN, I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT IT FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, AND I JUST WONDERED IF YOU USE SURFACE POPPERS OR BEADHEADS AND SUCH....BRIGHT COLORS OR NATURAL, MUDDLERS, STREAMERS, OR DRYS??? I WAS THINKING ON GETTIN MY TUBE OUT THERE ONE DAY MAYBE THIS IS THE YEAR...

LATERS, [/reply]
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[EmuScud]

When Pelican is hot, it doesn't matter too much what you throw at them. I've only been out there one time a couple of years ago when the bluegills were over their beds. It was slow if you weren't catching a fish every 3rd or 5th cast. I just cast a chartruese damsel pattern into the reeds, let it sit for a bit, and then twitched it in. Don't worry about a soft presentation. I cast them out so that the fly slaps the water hard. Top water stuff is the funnest, so poppers and terrestrials are good choices. If the action isn't on top, go with woolly buggers. Anything bigger than a size 8 might be a tad too big. I don't go smaller than a 12 though.

The damsel pattern I use has a marabou tail, chartruese dubbed body, rubber legs, and a foam "wing case" to make it float just in the surface film.

Good colors are white, black, chartruese, yellow, red is always a good accent color. I'll try to post some pics of the patterns another time.

Here is a great site about flyfishing for panfish:

[url "http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/panfish/archive.html"]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/panfish/archive.html[/url]
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[EmuScud]

Sweet! Thanks.
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[Shrimpboy]

So are you saying that it has more water in it than last year at this time? How is the water clarity?
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[leaky]

Dang!

I guess I screwed up, should have gone last week. Was put off by the weather and taking my buddy at the wrong time!!!! Am still in the same position, will be leaving on a trip next week and won't be back until mid May. Am chomping at the bt for some bass, do I risk the weather this week, maybe leave Thursday?? Anyone have a crystal ball? Maybe Sparky and I will rik it on our own. Anyone there from BFT seeing an old f-rt in a tube with a Golden hanging around, come say howdy. Will be in an old delapedated tent trailer.

[unsure]Leaky