Bass Fishing

BassMaster-ess, Sort Of…..

by Rebecca on May 13, 2010

in Fly Fishing For Bass

~River Smallie on my Fly Rod (victory!) -- Photo By Bryan Forsmann~

As another weekend of fishing went down in my history, I sit here and wonder what exactly I should write about. The choices seem endless……the bad weather, the fleeting moments of decent weather, the deep fried bacon wrapped hot dogs, the G-force experienced on a Bass Boat, the laughter of good friends, the gas can that went up in glorious flames or the BASS I actually caught…..

I think today I’ll focus on my much anticipated Bass Fishing experience. I have to admit, I was skeptical! I know my loyalty to trout could potentially label me as a fishist, but that’s the risk I take when I write the truth. I know trout.  Bass on the other hand…we are about as familiar with each other as I am with Nascar. Both have sponsors? Let’s just blame my Idaho Mountain upbringing.

For the record: I brought my Fly Rod on the Bass Boat.

Speaking of boats. Ummm…hello? Why didn’t anyone warn me about BASS BOATS? My lifetime boating experiences have been limited to aluminum boats that chugged along at 5 mph, a couple ocean excursions on fat lazy boats and 1 drift boat ride. That’s it. So imagine my surprise when Captain and Bassmaster Terry Battisti let the Bass boat out of the starting gate and after an impressive gravity defying move we were soaring across the water. Fast. Like instant face lift fast. The good news is the air pressure cleaned out my sinuses, the bad news is I discovered later that evening my inner ear didn’t take to boating very well. It’s a sad day when you feel drunk without ever taking a sip of alcohol.

~ Cheesy Bass Grin --Photo by Bryan Forsmann~

As for Bassin’ like the Pro’s do it. I think I held my own. Once Terry was done mapping an area with his high tech electrical equipment, it was time to fish.  I longingly looked at my Fly Rod, safe and cozy in it’s tube strapped flat on the front of the boat, but quickly accepted the swanky G.Loomis rod complete with bait-caster he offered up. I knew I was out of my element when I saw the large rubber lizard attached to the end of the line. I asked the important questions, like, ‘what am I supposed to do?’ and Terry gave me a quick crash course.

First cast, nothing. Second cast….Bass on! I’m pretty sure I hollared, yelled, made a big deal out of my fish. Rockstar status after two casts!  At that point I figured, ‘oh, this is easy, send me over the jacket with my name on it and some sponsor patches.’  I glanced back to make sure my Bass Guru was fully aware I was in Fish On mode and noticed Terry also had a fish on. Every fisherman needs a humble moment like that, so I let go of my visions of a sponsor jacket and got back to work.

I caught more Bass, I went for long periods without a single bite. I’m fairly certain no one will be knocking on my door to hand me a jet rocket Bass Boat and a bright pink sponsor jacket anytime soon. Despite the cold and nasty wind, I had a blast. Terry was an excellent teacher and showed great patience to the newbies on his boat. And surprise, surprise, Bass are pretty fun to catch. They have such a different demeanor than trout. It’s like they are pissed off when you hook them and they let you know it under no uncertain terms. I like that sort of attitude.

Lastly, after the day of bass boat fishing was done and we went back to camp ( below the dam on the Snake river) I snuck down to the rocky bank to try my hand at Fly Fishing for river Bass. The first time I actually caught one I thought, there, I did it. I’ve completed my mission. Fish like the Bass Pro’s do it AND catch one on my fly rod.  And…I caught more than just one Bass on my Fly Rod, as in, it wasn’t an accident!
Sponsorship offers can be emailed to Outdooress@gmail.com =)

Thank you Terry for a great fishing experience.
You are my Bassin’ Guru ~
Thank you Bryan for taking proof pictures of me and my fish.  
You are a rare treat for me.

Bassin’ Rebecca

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Fishing: Once you go Bass, you never go back?

by Rebecca on December 17, 2009

in Fishing Observations,Fly Fishing For Bass

Dennis Miller aka Darth Bass

Dennis Miller aka Darth Bass

There is a dark and powerful influence out there trying to sway me to the big lure side of fishing. I’ve nicknamed this influence ”Darth Bass” because I’m certain he’s trying to convert me to the dark and warm water side of fishing. Now, in case anyone is worried, as I write this, I’m still holding strong to the fresh water world of fly fishing…I pledge allegiance to the trout………  

Darth Bass is actually Dennis Miller and he goes by the handle DTMSPINNER on twitter where the recuitment started. I would twitter something about trout and he would twitter back to me BASS, BASS, BASS. Evidence of such persuasive maneuvers can be found in his twitter stream, not to be mistaken for a trout stream………

For example: basstweet

Darth Bass didn’t stop at subliminal or blatant tweets either. I think he knew I would be a tough sell, a Luke Skywalker ambassador of the trout and fly fishing world. So he sent, via the snail mail, a package packed full of temptations and ‘whoa, what the hell do I do with these?’ that would motivate me to investigate the mysterious side of bass fishing.

Huddleston Deluxe Package of Enticement

Huddleston Deluxe Package of Enticement

Because I catch trout that are 8 inches long and one of the lures Darth Bass sent was an 8 inch long trout that looks amazingly real, I did what any trout purist would do…..I got on the phone with the only Bass Fishing Guru I know.

Terry Battisti is a bass fisherman and writer for several publications in the Bass arena. He’s also the only person I know with a bass boat, lives in Idaho and likes to talk fishing and writing at the same time with me.

When I explained my bewilderment over the lures and the attempt at bass fishing conversion by Dennis (Darth Bass) he assured me all would remain balanced in my world.

 Terry filled me in about  Huddleston Swimbaits (he likes them and has caught bass with them) and promised they were not likely, by touch alone, to possess my trout soul or corrupt my fly fishing heart, but instead might show me a new side of fishing in general. One that I might actually find fun and enjoyable…….(double gasp)

So plans are now made. Rebecca, the fly fishing, trout loving disciple will be going bass fishing with my new Huddleston Swimbaits (<~~link to their website) come April or May with Terry as my bass guide. I’ll go ahead and admit this now ~ Damnit Darth Bass, I think you got me, I’m excited to go Bass fishing now! Someone help me….

In the meantime, I did ask Terry one final and important question.

Me: “Umm, Terry, Dennis also sent me a Huddleston Shirt. I’m sure the symbol on the front is like the dark mark for bass fishing or something, but I really like the shirt. Do you think it would be blasphemy if I wore a Bass shirt while fly fishing for trout?”
Terry (laughing): “I have no doubt you could get away with it.”
Me: “Ok, good. I don’t want a pack of fly fisherman or bass fisherman after me for fuzzin up the lines.”

Rebecca

 

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