Fishing Report Valentine Refuge / I-80 corridor PICTURES

Fly-Boy-Wray · 09-02-2008, 09:26 PM

So, Scott and I took our 1000+ mile trek across Nebraska over the weekend. We had a blast!!! I would like to give a special thanks to Recycled Fish for use of their loaner program. Without them, this trip would have not been such a success. I would also like to thank my co-pilot and navigator, Scott. 1000 miles in a car with someone else is a long time, thanks for hanging in there. We started out our weekend by fishing Dewey Lake and Clear Lake in the refuge. The day was just too good! There was a light wind and lots of sun. The water quality was less than to be desired though. The water was free of most vegetation but was very murky. We fished for 7+ hours with only one strike.

We thought we would have better luck somewhere else, so, on Saturday we awoke and drove to North Platte to try our hand at the I-80 lakes. By early morning on Saturday the wind had picked up and was gusting over 30 mph out of the South. This made fly fishing difficult at best, but we had come to fish, so fish we did! The first lake we stopped at was East Sutherland WMA, in hopes to get into some pike. The water clarity was awesome. It seemed as though you could easily see 10-15 feet down. We caught some small Largemouth bass and Bluegill. Both Scott and I can now check off a new species caught on a fly, Scott caught a Yellow perch and I caught my first Rock bass.

After a few hours fishing Sutherland, we packed up and went to Ft. McPherson WMA. With the wind still howling from the South, this lake offered us a chance to get somewhat out of the wind (this lake had TREES on the South side!), and once again we were very impressed with the water clarity. We could easily see 10 feet down. This lake was, by far, the best fishing for the weekend! The only issue we had with the lake was the persistent 2-4 inch Bluegill nipping at the flies (it was an issue fishing though them to get to the Smallmouth). We caught several good size Smallmouth bass (another new species for both of us) along with several dinky Bluegill and decent-sized Rock bass. The Smallmouth kept us coming back for more.

We fished Ft. McPherson again on Sunday morning with good Smallmouth action. In the afternoon we took a break and saw a few people fishing the NPPD power canal. We thought we could give it a try, so we broke out the fly rods and fished the canal in the howling wind. We caught 2 small Largemouth bass and 1 Smallmouth bass before we decided that we had had enough of the wind. Sunday afternoon we went back to Ft. McPherson again and caught several more fish before calling it a night.

Monday on the way home, and still fighting the wind, we stopped and fished Union Pacific SRA. We had moderate success. Some of the biggest Bluegill of the trip came from this lake (4-6 inch) along with Sun Fish, Channel Cat, Largemouth bass and Hybrid Bluegill.

The best patterns for the trip were a red and white woolly bugger, the Hammer, a black bunny leach, an all red flashabou minnow, Clouser minnows (red white & blue white) and an olive woolly bugger.

danager · 09-02-2008, 09:40 PM

Awesome smallies!!!!

fishtrap · 09-02-2008, 09:52 PM

nice pics

Fly-Boy-Wray · 09-02-2008, 10:05 PM

Sorry for the small Pictures, and now the large one. But I wanted to repost this one again to give you and idea how clear the water relay was. If you look close you can see bluegill under this smallmouth.

Trout Bum · 09-02-2008, 10:24 PM

NICE smallmouth fellas!

Frosch · 09-02-2008, 10:36 PM

Looks like a great trip. Sweet smallies.

Done · 09-02-2008, 10:36 PM

nice job!!

Aquaman · 09-02-2008, 10:42 PM

Great job, guys! Love that clear water! And of course the smallies, rockies, etc.

I hope to get to fish with you guys again sometime soon. What about some froggin'?

**Catfishsteve** · 09-03-2008, 12:02 AM

awesome smallies!! Good pics guys!

Phishful Thinking · 09-03-2008, 12:09 AM

that's a good lookin smallie!

**holdemplyer** · 09-03-2008, 05:09 AM

Looks like a great trip guys!

LundLover · 09-03-2008, 06:39 AM

VERY COOL!

Fish Recycler · 09-03-2008, 09:20 AM

Great fishing, photos and report!

(Sorry I missed your call last night...)

thedarkarcher · 09-03-2008, 09:43 AM

that really, really, really makes me miss western nebraska.

vrentropy · 09-03-2008, 11:20 AM

Looks like a sweet trip! I may have to figure out how to get one of those in before my house sells!

Great pictures!

OldBaldGuy · 09-03-2008, 11:26 AM

1) I've never seen a Refuge lake that calm. Are you sure you were on the Refuge in Nebraska?

2) Did all that displaced water cause any serious flooding?

Nice fishing, guys.

**SKershaw** · 09-03-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

1) I've never seen a Refuge lake that calm. Are you sure you were on the Refuge in Nebraska?

We were very shocked! Almost ZERO wind! The day couldn't have been any more perfect as far as conditions go. The fishing... well,it was only fishing - lots of casts and no hook-ups. Is this a weird thing in late, late August and early September?

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

2) Did all that displaced water cause any serious flooding?

Teeg told me the kayak is supposed to ride that low! Teeg is never sarcastic

He is really good at making people feel good about themselves, even the chubby!

The double chin DID displace a lot of water

By the way Rog, that day we went in the canoe changed me forever. I fell in love with fishing out of a canoe/kayak. Thanks for the introduction!

Teeg, thanks for feeding the hungry kayaker in me. WHAT A BLAST!!!

Bryan, definitely a trip to remember (and repeat!). I am now a Smallie on the fly junkie... where's my next fix!!!

**holdemplyer** · 09-03-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKershaw

Kenzie says, " That's a a funny face butterscott!" and then fell on the floor laughing.

nice fish Scott!

**SKershaw** · 09-03-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holdemplyer

Kenzie says, " That's a a funny face butterscott!" and then fell on the floor laughing.

nice fish Scott!

Clearly she is feeling better

I appreciate the comments, Teacup!!!

buglem · 09-03-2008, 09:55 PM

Great fish! Looks like a fun trip!

Rock bass always look so cool with those red eyes! Totally agree with darkarcher - makes me miss western Nebraska!

09-02-2008, 09:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fly-Boy-Wray Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha Ne Posts: 171 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Valentine Refuge / I-80 corridor PICTURES So, Scott and I took our 1000+ mile trek across Nebraska over the weekend. We had a blast!!! I would like to give a special thanks to Recycled Fish for use of their loaner program. Without them, this trip would have not been such a success. I would also like to thank my co-pilot and navigator, Scott. 1000 miles in a car with someone else is a long time, thanks for hanging in there. We started out our weekend by fishing Dewey Lake and Clear Lake in the refuge. The day was just too good! There was a light wind and lots of sun. The water quality was less than to be desired though. The water was free of most vegetation but was very murky. We fished for 7+ hours with only one strike. We thought we would have better luck somewhere else, so, on Saturday we awoke and drove to North Platte to try our hand at the I-80 lakes. By early morning on Saturday the wind had picked up and was gusting over 30 mph out of the South. This made fly fishing difficult at best, but we had come to fish, so fish we did! The first lake we stopped at was East Sutherland WMA, in hopes to get into some pike. The water clarity was awesome. It seemed as though you could easily see 10-15 feet down. We caught some small Largemouth bass and Bluegill. Both Scott and I can now check off a new species caught on a fly, Scott caught a Yellow perch and I caught my first Rock bass. After a few hours fishing Sutherland, we packed up and went to Ft. McPherson WMA. With the wind still howling from the South, this lake offered us a chance to get somewhat out of the wind (this lake had TREES on the South side!), and once again we were very impressed with the water clarity. We could easily see 10 feet down. This lake was, by far, the best fishing for the weekend! The only issue we had with the lake was the persistent 2-4 inch Bluegill nipping at the flies (it was an issue fishing though them to get to the Smallmouth). We caught several good size Smallmouth bass (another new species for both of us) along with several dinky Bluegill and decent-sized Rock bass. The Smallmouth kept us coming back for more. We fished Ft. McPherson again on Sunday morning with good Smallmouth action. In the afternoon we took a break and saw a few people fishing the NPPD power canal. We thought we could give it a try, so we broke out the fly rods and fished the canal in the howling wind. We caught 2 small Largemouth bass and 1 Smallmouth bass before we decided that we had had enough of the wind. Sunday afternoon we went back to Ft. McPherson again and caught several more fish before calling it a night. Monday on the way home, and still fighting the wind, we stopped and fished Union Pacific SRA. We had moderate success. Some of the biggest Bluegill of the trip came from this lake (4-6 inch) along with Sun Fish, Channel Cat, Largemouth bass and Hybrid Bluegill. The best patterns for the trip were a red and white woolly bugger, the Hammer, a black bunny leach, an all red flashabou minnow, Clouser minnows (red white & blue white) and an olive woolly bugger. __________________ If all the theories were correct, there wouldn't be a fish left in all of our lakes and rivers and streams. Izaak Walton

09-02-2008, 09:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
fishtrap Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: lincoln Posts: 355 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	nice pics __________________ if you ain't hunting & fishing you ain't living

09-02-2008, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fly-Boy-Wray Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha Ne Posts: 171 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Sorry for the small Pictures, and now the large one. But I wanted to repost this one again to give you and idea how clear the water relay was. If you look close you can see bluegill under this smallmouth. __________________ If all the theories were correct, there wouldn't be a fish left in all of our lakes and rivers and streams. Izaak Walton

09-02-2008, 10:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trout Bum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Millard Posts: 720 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	NICE smallmouth fellas! __________________ "The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be." - John Gierach

09-02-2008, 10:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Frosch Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: omaha Posts: 1,106 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Looks like a great trip. Sweet smallies. __________________ If you are a fish and want to be a fish stick, you have to have really good posture. Mitch Hedberg

09-02-2008, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
danager Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Next To The Lake/Stream/River Posts: 192 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Awesome smallies!!!!

09-02-2008, 10:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Done Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, NE Posts: 764 Thanks: 7 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	nice job!! __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." ~John Buchan

09-02-2008, 10:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Aquaman 2008 Catch & Continue Runner Up Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Midwest U.S. Posts: 830 Thanks: 19 Thanked 21 Times in 7 Posts	Great job, guys! Love that clear water! And of course the smallies, rockies, etc. I hope to get to fish with you guys again sometime soon. What about some froggin'?

09-03-2008, 12:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,654 Thanks: 9 Thanked 81 Times in 29 Posts	awesome smallies!! Good pics guys! __________________ Attention deer hunters!! Get in on the To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. sponsored by To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. World's Foremost Outfitter!? Here are *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* . The NEFGA Buck Bash is FREE to enter and Cabela's will be providing tons of great hunter gear prizes. ********

09-03-2008, 12:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
Phishful Thinking Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 322 Thanks: 19 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	that's a good lookin smallie! __________________ Men and fish are alike. We both get into trouble when we decide open our mouths.

09-03-2008, 05:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
holdemplyer Director Join Date: May 2007 Location: hunting for Kenzies MA gill!!! Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 46 Thanked 77 Times in 49 Posts	Looks like a great trip guys! __________________ I'd rather do something and fail than do nothing and succeed!

09-03-2008, 06:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
LundLover Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 3,831 Thanks: 26 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	VERY COOL! __________________ A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2008, 09:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
Fish Recycler 2007 NEFGA Angler Of The Year Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Council Bluffs, IA Posts: 1,232 Thanks: 4 Thanked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Great fishing, photos and report! (Sorry I missed your call last night...) __________________ You can be a Fish Recycler too...let 'em swim. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2008, 09:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
thedarkarcher Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 742 Thanks: 45 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts	that really, really, really makes me miss western nebraska.

09-03-2008, 11:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
vrentropy Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Outer Limits Posts: 545 Thanks: 26 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Looks like a sweet trip! I may have to figure out how to get one of those in before my house sells! Great pictures! __________________ ______________________ Don Rolfson "The problem with doing nothing is that it is so very hard to tell when you are done!" -- unknown "No grudge ever had a better nurse." -- Peace Like A River - Leif Enger

09-03-2008, 11:26 AM	#16 (permalink)
OldBaldGuy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The paradise formerly known as Elkhorn Posts: 5,237 Thanks: 29 Thanked 72 Times in 42 Posts	1) I've never seen a Refuge lake that calm. Are you sure you were on the Refuge in Nebraska? 2) Did all that displaced water cause any serious flooding? Nice fishing, guys. __________________ “I think every happy memory plucks a hair from your head; if you see an old bald guy, he’s probably had a great life.” –-Red Green

09-03-2008, 09:55 PM	#20 (permalink)
buglem 2008 Catch & Continue 2nd Runner Up Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 295 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Great fish! Looks like a fun trip! Rock bass always look so cool with those red eyes! Totally agree with darkarcher - makes me miss western Nebraska! __________________ Remember, the field mouse is fast, but the owl sees at night! - Chip

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