Bluegill on the Fly
Season 2 Episode 20 | 25m 57sVideo has Closed Captions
Bluegill bream fishing with a fly rod.
This week on the Journal we'll fly fish for large Bluegill bream using popping bugs. On Gear Time our anglers discuss the tackle and bugs they used and we'll join Donna Reynolds in the kitchen for a oyster dressing recipe.
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Carolina Outdoor Journal is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Bluegill on the Fly
Season 2 Episode 20 | 25m 57sVideo has Closed Captions
This week on the Journal we'll fly fish for large Bluegill bream using popping bugs. On Gear Time our anglers discuss the tackle and bugs they used and we'll join Donna Reynolds in the kitchen for a oyster dressing recipe.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[GENTLE ORCHESTRAL FANFARE] - AH, IT WASN'T MUCH OF A HIT.
COME ON, GUYS.
THAT WAS NOT MUCH OF A HIT.
IT'S KIND OF A LAME FISH.
OH, HERE WE-- THAT WAS A HIT.
[laughs] THAT'S FUNNY.
YOU GET THE LITTLE LANE POP-POPPIN'.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, ONE GETS TIRED OF IT, I GUESS, AND KABAM.
OH, THAT'S FUNNY.
[laughs] - THAT SOUNDED LIKE A DECENT-SIZED FISH, THOUGH.
- FISH.
BUT WHAT'S SO FUNNY IS, I GOT THESE LITTLE PECK-PECKS.
YOU KNOW, TYPICAL LITTLE THING.
OH, YEAH, THIS IS A NICE ONE.
LET THEM GET TIRED A MINUTE HERE.
THIS GUY'S-- LOOK AT THAT.
BOY, THAT FISH COME IN AND POP IT OR WHAT?
- HE ABSOLUTELY-- THAT'S A GOOD-SIZED FISH.
- [ANNOUNCER] THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE.
NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.
- [MALE ANNOUNCER] AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.
WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.
WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.
FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.
[light instrumental music] ♪ - HELLO, WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
WELL, IF YOU LIKE BLUEGILLS AND YOU LIKE FLY RODS, THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU TODAY.
- THAT'S RIGHT, AND WHETHER YOU USE A FLY ROD OR A CANE POLE, IF YOU LIKE TO FISH FOR BLUEGILLS HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, YOU NEED TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TODAY AND ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE GETTING READY TO SEE, BECAUSE I CONSIDER WHAT WE EXPERIENCED AT RICHMOND MILL LAKE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO WORLD CLASS IN THE WORLD OF BLUEGILL FISHING.
WE VISITED THE KING FISHER SOCIETY SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
IT'S A LAKE OVER OUTSIDE LAURINBURG THAT JIM MORGAN IS MANAGING FOR BASS.
BUT AS A SIDEBAR STORY TO THE BASS FISHING THAT JUST CONTINUES TO GROW IS THIS BLUEGILL FISHING.
AND THIS PARTICULAR DAY, WE CAUGHT SOME BLUEGILLS APPROACHING TWO POUNDS, WHICH ANYBODY THAT KNOWS BLUEGILLS WILL TELL YOU, THAT'S A HANDSOME FISH.
SO STAY TUNED TO SOME REALLY, REALLY GOOD BLUEGILL FISHING.
- AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE GEAR WE USED ON GEAR TIME TODAY.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
WE'LL GO BACK, AND THE GUYS WILL SHARE WITH US.
THEY WERE USING LIGHT 4 AND 5-WEIGHT FLY RODS WITH POPPING BUGS.
THIS IS ALL SURFACE-ACTION, TOP-WATER POPPERS.
AND JUST A LOT OF FUN.
- AN OYSTER DRESSING FROM DONNA TODAY.
- ACCORDING TO HER, THIS IS A REALLY GOOD OYSTER RECIPE TO-- OYSTER DRESSING RECIPE TO GO ALONG WITH ANY WILD GAME RECIPE THAT YOU WANT TO PUT TOGETHER, SEAFOOD RECIPE.
REALLY GOOD FROM HER TODAY.
- WE'VE GOT AN EXCITING SHOW HERE TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
- OH, DARN!
IS THAT A TRASH FISH AGAIN?
- YEAH, ANOTHER BASS.
- OH, SHOOT.
- [laughs] - DON'T YOU HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS?
OH, THIS LITTLE ROD, LOOK AT THAT.
GEE WHIZ.
[laughter] ALL I'VE DONE IS MADE HIM MAD.
LOOK AT THE ROD.
- I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE FOR A WHILE.
- IS THIS GOING TO BE A QUICK-- [laughs] IS THIS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE QUICK-- [laughs] I'LL JUST SWING HIM IN THE BOAT FOR YOU, JIMBO.
LOOK AT THIS.
LOOK AT THIS.
THIS FISH-- [both talking] YEAH, LET'S--LET'S-- - I THINK YOU'RE WELL-- - GOT HIM TIRED YET?
YOU GOT-- [laughs] - LOOK AT THAT.
- OH, JIM, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR-- - LOOK AT THAT.
- THAT'S A NICE-- OH, THAT'S A NICE-LOOKING FISH.
- AND HE'S READY TO GO.
WHOO!
- YEAH, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HANDLING THAT.
- [laughs] - I-- - YEAH.
- I FIGURE, JIM, IF YOU CAN'T CATCH FISH, THE VERY LEAST YOU CAN DO IS HELP OUT.
- IS GET YOURS.
WELL, THAT'S WHY I LIVE TO SERVE.
WELL, I THINK WE'LL TAKE A LARGEMOUTH BASS HERE AND THERE IN OUR QUEST FOR THESE BLUEGILLS.
- YEAH, IT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY.
LOOK, HE'S RIGHT BEHIND IT.
LOOK.
- AW, MAN, I JUST MISSED ONE.
YOU DISTRACTED ME.
- THAT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY-- - I'M LOOKING OVER FOR WHAT YOU HAD, AND-- - OH, I UNDERSTAND.
- YEAH.
- I UNDERSTAND THE BLAME.
- [laughs] - QUITE OFTEN, WHEN I MISS A FISH, I WILL-- - YOU'VE GOT TO FIND SOMETHING.
- I WILL BE TALKING TO YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YEAH.
- YEAH, YOU GOT TO FIND SOMETHING, 'CAUSE IT'S NOT MY FINELY TUNED REFLEXES, OBVIOUSLY.
- TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE FINER POINT.
I'M GOING BACK TO THIS ONE AGAIN, BECAUSE THAT FISH IS THERE.
- I THINK THERE'S A BED UNDER THIS-- - THERE MAY BE, BECAUSE THAT-- COME ON, FOLKS.
- THE REASON I THINK THAT WAS A BLUEGILL IS 'CAUSE IT HAPPENED BEFORE I TWITCHED IT.
YOU KNOW, IT-- - YUP, YUP, COULD WELL HAVE BEEN.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
- IT SOUNDED LIKE A BLUEGILL TO ME, EXCEPT FOR HE'S NOT CUTTING CIRCLES.
NOW MAYBE HE IS.
THIS IS THE FUN THING IS, IN THESE KIND OF SANDHILL LAKES, IT COULD BE A BLUEGILL.
IT COULD BE A BASS.
IT COULD BE A CRAPPIE.
IT COULD BE A PERCH.
COULD BE A PICKEREL.
- WHAT?
- IT COULD BE A PICKEREL.
- IT COULD BE.
- THIS IS ACTING MORE LIKE A BASS.
- YEAH, I THINK IT DOES NOW.
HE KNOWS HE'S HOOKED.
HE NOW REALIZES HE IS HOOKED.
- NO, IT'S NOT.
- OH, BIG BLUEGILL?
- IT'S A BIG BLUEGILL.
- THAT'S A NICE ONE.
GOOD, GOOD.
GOT HIM GOOD AND TIRED?
'CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET HURT.
I'M DELICATE.
OH, NICE, NICE, NICE.
- CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED, AND IT'S--THE SUN'S HIGHER.
WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF CHOP.
AND THE WATER MAY BE WARMING UP.
- YUP, I THINK IT IS.
IT'S A NICE FISH.
- YEAH.
- NICE FISH.
GOT THE COPPER NOSE.
- COPPER-NOSE BLUEGILL.
- VERTICAL STRIPES.
- ABOUT A POUND.
- PUT IT BACK IN?
- YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
GET IT UNHOOKED, AND WE'LL GO AFTER ANOTHER ONE.
- THERE YOU GO, SPORT.
YUP, YUP.
AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T COME UP AND TRY TO HIT THE POPPER AGAIN.
WELL, EVIDENTLY, THAT POPPER'S MAKING NOISE AND WORKING.
LET'S GO.
GIVE IT A SHOT AND SEE.
- BUT THAT WAS--HE WAS RIGHT ON THAT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
- RIGHT WHERE?
- FROM--I MEAN, I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT MOVING IT.
- OH, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO MOVE THE BUG?
- NO, HE JUST TOTALLY COMMITTED TO IT... - YEAH, OKAY.
- AND THEN HELD IT.
- HOLY COW.
THAT'S A BLUEGILL, ISN'T IT?
YEAH.
DID YOU SEE THE WAY THAT THING HIT?
I THOUGHT IT WAS A BASS.
- NO, HE'S A HEAVY ONE.
- OOP.
GEE WHIZ.
- SEE IF YOU CAN MANEUVER HIM TO STARBOARD.
[laughs] - SEE THE BACKWARD--WHOA.
GOLLY.
THAT IS A STRONG FISH.
- THAT IS A STRONG FISH.
- THAT IS A STRONG-- NOW, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BASS, I MEAN, 'CAUSE IT CAME OUT OF THE WATER-- LOOK AT THIS.
- WELL, WHEN I SAW THE SPLASH, I THOUGHT IT WAS-- OH, THAT'S A NICE FISH.
- THAT'S A--SEE IF I CAN SKATE HIM OVER TO YOU.
OH, YOU JUST MADE HIM MAD.
NOW YOU JUST SCARED HIM.
YOU JUST MADE HIM MAD.
HE SAW YOU.
LOOK AT THIS.
- WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU MADE A GOOD CHOICE ON THAT-- CHANGING THAT-- - OH, YEAH.
- LOOK AT THE COPPER THERE.
- THAT IS, I THINK, THE HARDEST BLUEGILL BITE I'VE EVER HAD.
- AND THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING.
LET'S JUST WEIGH IT JUST TO KIND OF GET A BASELINE.
- THAT FISH ABSOLUTELY-- - THAT'S A POUND AND A QUARTER.
- I WOULD THINK... - THAT'S THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THE WAY THEY'RE HITTING TODAY, IS, THEY'RE JUST COMMITTING TOTALLY TO THIS.
- YES, ABSOLUTELY.
THAT WAS--THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST SAVAGE BLUEGILL STRIKE I'VE EVER SEEN...OR EVER HAD.
- YEAH, LOOK AT THAT.
- GEE WHIZ.
- BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- THAT COULD GET TO BE FUN, JIM.
- IT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, AFTER AN HOUR OR TWO.
- WHAT WAS THE QUOTE?
"IF THIS ISN'T FUN, THEN YOU NEED TO TAKE UP GOLF"?
[laughter] IT'S HAPPENED AGAIN.
- COME ON.
- IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT MAKING ME MISS FISH.
I MEAN, I-- - YOU KNOW, AT LEAST I TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ONE I JUST MISSED.
- [laughs] - NOW I'M TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ONE YOU MISSED?
- [laughs] THAT A BLUEGILL?
CAN YOU TELL?
- ALL RIGHT, I'M BRINGING IT OVER HERE ON THE PORT SIDE.
IF YOU CAN, SIR-- - I'M READY.
MY--MY FISH SLIME-FILLED HANDS ARE REALLY.
- OKAY.
DO YOU STILL BATHE IN SLIME?
- IT'S NOT NECESSARY.
IT'S NOT NECESSARY.
- I CAN SEE THE COPPER NOSE ON THIS ONE.
I CAN SEE IT IN THE WATER.
- OH, YEAH, BIG-TIME.
COME HERE, SPORT.
HELLO, HELLO, YES.
SAY HELLO TO EVERYBODY.
- THAT'S A PRETTY ONE.
- GOOD JOB.
- YEAH, YEAH, YOU THINK-- - LOOK AT THE COPPER NOSE ON THIS.
YES.
MY SURGICAL SKILLS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME INTO USE AGAIN HERE.
THESE GUYS ARE ABSO-- WELL, THEY'RE SWALLOWING IT.
THAT'S UNUSUAL.
DON'T NORMALLY SEE THESE GUYS DOING THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.
- YEAH.
- BOY, OH, BOY.
- AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, ON THIS LAKE, BASS ARE THE TARGETED FISH MOST OF THE TIME, SO THESE BLUEGILLS ARE USED TO WHATEVER THEY HIT IS FOOD, MOST OF THE TIME.
- LOOK AT THAT.
[laughs] - THAT'S AN ABUSED-- - THAT LOOKS LIKE A SALTWATER POPPER.
- THAT IS AN ABUSED BUG RIGHT THERE.
THE PAINT'S COMING OFF, YEAH.
- NICE FISH.
- BEAUTIFUL.
- YEAH, I DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE.
I JUST FINISHED LIPPING YOUR FISH, OKAY, GETTING READY TO CAST-- - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
- AND--YEAH.
WHAT IT MEANS IS, COME ON, FELLA.
- [laughs] - I MEAN-- - OH, MAN, THIS IS FUN.
- WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO-- YOU KNOW THAT TUNA FISHING YOU WERE DOING?
WE'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME THING.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TURNS CASTING.
GOOD GRIEF.
- THIS IS A BLUEGILL.
- OOH, NICE ONE.
- YEAH, IT'S NOT A BASS.
- NICE BLUEGILL.
- AND, YOU KNOW, WE WERE-- THAT CAST WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO SHORE.
THAT WAS-- - YEAH, I--WELL-- - I THOUGHT I SAW A LITTLE ORANGE ON THIS ONE.
THIS MAY BE A NATIVE REDBREAST.
- REDBREAST?
- YEAH.
IT'S TAKING A WHILE.
- PRETTY FISH.
PRETTY FISH.
LOOK AT THE COLOR.
LOOK AT THE COLOR.
- OKAY, HE'S COMING TO YOU.
- LOOK AT THE COLOR.
OH, NICE--THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.
THAT'S A PRETTY FISH, COMPLETE WITH ALL THE BREEDING COLORS.
HERE WE GO.
OH.
COME HERE, SPORT.
OH, YOU THINK WE'RE BIG ENOUGH?
GOOD GRIEF.
[laughter] OH, GEE WHIZ.
THAT IS A--THAT IS A BLUEGILL, OKAY?
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING.
NOW, I DON'T SEE ANY COPPER.
- NO, NO, IT'S-- THAT'S A NATIVE BLUEGILL.
- LOOK AT THE STOMACH.
LOOK AT THE STOMACH.
HOLY COW.
- BEFORE YOU TAKE IT DOWN, LET'S WEIGH IT SO WE CAN MAKE SURE-- YOU WANT TO GET IT?
SEE WHAT IT IS.
- GOOD GRIEF.
WHAT DID I SAY?
IT'S GOT TO BE TWO POUNDS, DON'T YOU THINK?
- I DON'T KNOW.
IT'S HARD TO TELL.
- HANG ON JUST A MINUTE.
OH, MAN, ACCORDING TO THIS, IT'S A SLOT UNDER TWO, WHICH I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE.
THAT REALLY--SEE IT?
IT'S JUST UNDER THE TWO.
- YEAH.
- YEAH.
THAT'S A NICE-- THAT'S A NICE FISH.
- WELL, I'LL TELL MY WIFE TONIGHT IT WAS A TWO.
ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET THIS.
WE FORGOT TO TAKE THIS BARB OUT.
THERE WE GO.
- YEAH, FORGOT TO FLATTEN IT.
- A BEAUTY.
- LOOK AT THAT.
- AND IT DOES HAVE THAT LITTLE ROSY THING, BUT THAT'S FOR A BLUEGILL, NATIVE BLUEGILL.
BIG, BIG EAR FLAPS.
SEE THAT EAR FLAP?
- LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THEM.
- YEAH.
GORGEOUS.
- YEAH.
THAT'S ONE BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- THAT'S A SHADE UNDER TWO.
- THAT IS ONE BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- WHOO!
- HAND ME YOUR POPPER.
LET ME GET THAT BARB FLATTED OUT SO WE CAN-- - YOU'RE JUST GOING TO ABUSE MY POPPER SO NOBODY'LL BITE IT AGAIN.
- NO, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS, I'M GOING TO MAKE A SLIGHT CUT IN YOUR LEADER.
- [laughs] YOU KNOW, THE THING I LOVE ABOUT THIS KIND OF FISHING IS, YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU AND PAY ATTENTION, BECAUSE THESE FISH'LL HIT AT THE MOMENT YOU LEAST EXPECT.
- YEAH, YEAH.
- AND YOU CAN GET LULLED INTO THIS THING, AND--OH!
IT'S RIGHT THERE.
- [laughs] LULLED INTO THE WHAT?
- WHAT I'M DOING IS IMPORTANT.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS IMPORTANT.
WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS, I MISSED THAT FISH.
- YEAH, YOU DID.
YOU WERE LULLED, BABY.
YOU WERE LULLED.
- AND THAT WAS A NICE ONE.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S RIGHT.
- BUT IF YOU'RE NOT REALLY FOCUSED ON IT, THEY'LL TAKE IT UNDER, AND YOU'VE JUST GOT-- YOUR REACTION TIME HAS GOT TO BE PRETTY GOOD.
- WELL, FORTUNATELY FOR ME AND MY SLOW REACTION TIME, THESE FISH HAVE BEEN CLOBBERING IT, YOU KNOW?
THEY'VE BEEN ABSOLUTELY SMASHING INTO IT.
- YEAH, THEY REALLY HAVE BEEN.
I'M SURPRISED I MISSED THAT ONE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY'RE-- YOU SEE THEM BACK IN THERE?
THEY'RE REALLY SHALLOW.
- IT MAY BE.
IT MAY BE.
- I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET IN THERE.
- THE FIGHT IS ON.
WHERE'S HE TOWING-- - HE--I MEAN, THIS IS-- AND THERE'S THE TURTLE AGAIN, THINKING--HE JUMPED.
- YES, HE DID.
- YOU EVER SEEN A BLUEGILL JUMP?
- YES, HE DID.
WELL, I'VE NEVER SEEN THEM HIT LIKE THIS, SO MAYBE-- YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE GOT A NEW STRAIN GOING HERE.
NICE FISH, THOUGH.
- YEAH, HE'S--HE IS-- OH, OH, OH, NOW, NOW THERE.
- THOSE ARE NICE FISH.
I MEAN, REALLY.
- NOW, THAT'S A STOUT ONE.
- BEAUTIFUL.
YEAH, YEAH, LOOK AT THE STOMACH ON IT.
LOOK AT THE STOMACH ON THAT FISH.
- MAN.
THAT'S A FEMALE.
WHERE'S THE BOGA GRIP?
- UH, HERE.
- RIGHT THERE.
THIS ONE'S WORTH WEIGHING.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO WEIGH THEM WITH THE POP AND BUG IN THEIR MOUTH, IN CASE THEY FALL OFF.
- BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- OH, JUST SHY OF TWO.
JUST--THE LINE DOESN'T QUITE SHOW.
- YEAH.
- I'M TRYING TO BE HONEST.
THEY HAVE--YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE EXPRESSION "IT'S A TV TWO."
- OH, TV TWO.
[laughs] YEAH.
- GORGEOUS.
OH!
THEY CAN STICK YOU.
- YOU BEEN FINNED?
- NAH.
WELL, I WAS FINNED EARLIER.
I WASN'T FINNED WITH HIM.
- IS THIS WHAT WE CALL A PASODOBLE?
- YEAH.
- WELL, I'VE GOT AN ANGRY BLUEGILL.
- I GOT ONE ON THE REEL.
[laughter] - YES.
ALL RIGHT.
- I GOT A LOT OF LINE OUT ON THIS ONE.
- ARE YOU THINKING YOU HAVE MORE THAN A BLUEGILL?
IS THAT WHAT-- - I BELIEVE.
- I THINK YOU MAY BE CORRECT, SIR.
ALL RIGHT, COME HERE, FISH.
- YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN BACK THERE, BRO.
- THANK YOU.
YES, YES, YES.
- I'M CHASING THIS ONE.
- OKAY, I'VE GOT THIS NICE BLUEGILL.
WILL YOU QUIT PLAYING AROUND?
- YEAH, WELL-- - ALL RIGHT.
I MEAN, IT SHOULD NOT TAKE THAT LONG TO LAND THIS LITTLE FISH.
I THINK THAT'S A HEALTHY FISH.
- YEAH.
- CHUNKY THING.
- IT IS CHUNKY.
- YEAH.
- LOOK AT THAT THING.
- YEAH.
- THAT'S THE GREAT THING ABOUT POPPER BUG, THOUGH: YOU CAN CATCH ALL KINDS OF SPECIES OF FISH.
- WELL, AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH?
- YEAH.
SEE, HERE'S ANOTHER ONE.
SOME BUBBLES.
- OH, THAT WASN'T MUCH OF A HIT.
COME ON, GUYS.
THAT WAS NOT MUCH OF A HIT.
IT'S KIND OF A LAME FISH.
OH, HERE WE-- THAT WAS A HIT.
[laughs] THAT'S FUNNY.
YOU GET THE LITTLE LAME POP-POPPING.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, ONE GETS TIRED OF IT, I GUESS, AND KABAM.
OH, THAT'S FUNNY.
[laughs] - THAT SOUNDED LIKE A DECENT-SIZED FISH.
- THAT FISH--WHAT'S SO FUNNY IS, I GOT THESE LITTLE PECK-PECKS, YOU KNOW, TYPICAL LITTLE THING.
OH, YEAH, THIS IS A NICE ONE.
LET HIM GET TIRED A MINUTE HERE.
THIS GUY'S--LOOK AT THAT.
BOY, THAT FISH COME UP AND POP IT OR WHAT?
- HE ABSOLUTELY-- THAT'S A GOOD-SIZED FISH.
- THANK YOU, SIR.
OH, MY GOSH, LOOK AT THE STOMACH ON THAT THING.
- LOOK AT THAT.
- [laughs] - GORGEOUS.
LOOK AT THE BELLY ON IT.
- YEAH, LOOK AT THE COLOR.
- YEAH, THAT'S THAT-- - LOOK AT THAT.
- I'M GOING TO SEE WHAT IT WEIGHS.
- LOOK.
THAT'S ABOUT A FULL FISH, MAN.
LOOK AT THAT.
LOOK AT THE COLOR HERE.
LOOK AT THE MOUTH.
CAN YOU GET IT?
THAT IS ONE CHUNKY FISH.
- LET'S SEE.
POUND AND THREE QUARTERS.
- I'LL BE DARNED.
YOU'D HAVE THOUGHT IT GOT MORE.
BEAUTIFUL FISH, THOUGH.
BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- NOW, THAT'S A NATIVE BLUEGILL TO SANDHILLS, RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S NOT AN IMPORT.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE.
- I--YEAH, YEAH.
LOOK AT THE--THE COLORING IS WHAT I LIKE.
LOOK AT THE--RIGHT THERE.
SEE UNDER THE CHIN?
LOOK AT THAT.
- AND I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THIS IS 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THEY'RE STILL HITTING TOP WATER.
SO MY WHOLE THEORY ABOUT THEM NOT LIKING LOOKING IN THE SUN IS GONE.
- WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S WHERE THEY ARE AND WHAT IT IS.
I MEAN, IT'S--YEAH.
- ALL RIGHT.
- NICE FISH.
A LOT OF FUN.
A LOT OF FUN.
- CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL.
I CALL THEM NICE-SIZED BLUEGILL.
- ABSOLUTELY, AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS HOW MUCH WATER THEY DISPLACED WHEN THEY HIT THAT BUG.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE--I MEAN, YOU REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER YOU HAD A BASS ON OR NOT.
AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
BUT JUST SOME GREAT BLUEGILL FISHING.
- ALL RIGHT, IT'S TIME FOR GEAR TIME.
WE'RE GOING TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT THE GEAR WE USED TODAY.
LET'S CHECK IN WITH OUR ANGLERS.
IT'S TIME FOR GEAR TIME.
- JIM, THANKS FOR A FUN DAY.
- ABSOLUTELY.
I ENJOY--THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE KIND OF FISHING, IS THE--REALLY, THE KIND I LEARNED EARLIEST AS A CHILD FISHING THIS SAME LAKE AND, I THINK, PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST SOUTHERN WAYS OF FISHING.
EVERYBODY THINKS FLY-FISHING IS FOR WESTERN MOUNTAIN STREAMS AND UP IN NEW ENGLAND, BUT YOU ASK AROUND, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LEARNED TO FISH WITH A FLY ROD AND A POPPING BUG IN SOUTHERN WATERS JUST LIKE THIS.
- SURE, SURE.
AND MY GOSH.
I MEAN, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY, AND LOOK WHAT WE'VE CAUGHT.
- YEAH.
- SOME BIG BLUEGILL.
I'VE NEVER HAD BLUEGILL HIT-- I'VE NEVER HAD BLUEGILL HIT POPPING BUGS SO HARD.
- SO HARD.
AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY, YOU THINK OF--A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN GO IS WHEN IT'S ABSOLUTELY FLAT, LATE IN THE EVENING OR EARLY FIRST THING UP AT SUNRISE.
AND WE WENT OUT-- YOU KNOW, WE WERE THERE, YOU KNOW, 9:00 TO 1:00 AND HAD A WONDERFUL DAY WITH SOME WIND.
- YUP, YUP.
AND I'M GLAD WE HAD WHAT WE DID, BECAUSE THESE TEMPLE FORK BUG LAUNCHER RODS ARE JUST FINE FOR IT.
PLUS, THEY CAN HOLD THE BASS.
WE CAUGHT SOME NICE BASS ON THESE THINGS TOO.
- YEAH, YOU CAN'T PREDICT WHAT'S GOING TO HIT.
THAT'S ANOTHER THING ABOUT SOUTHERN WATERS.
YOU KNOW, CRAPPIE, PERCH, PICKEREL, BASS, AND BLUEGILL EAT A POPPING BUG.
AND I HAD THE TEMPLE FORK 5/6 AND AN 8-FOOT ROD.
IT WAS GREAT FOR SOME OF THOSE BIGGER FISH.
- I'VE GOT THE SMALL ONE, THE 7-FOOTER, WHICH HAS JUST BEEN LOTS OF FUN.
- AND IT'S CALLED A BUG LAUNCHER, AND IT REALLY DOES LAUNCH THEM.
AND HERE THEY ARE.
YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER GOING, AS A CHILD, JUST GOING TO THE GENERAL STORE AND BUYING ONE OF THESE LITTLE WHITE POPPING BUGS HERE, AND THAT'S ALL I WOULD NEED.
BUT YOU COLLECT THEM, AND THERE'S DIFFERENT SIZES, LITTLE RED ANTS AND BLACK ANTS.
WE USED SOME OF THE LARGER ONES, 'CAUSE THESE BLUEGILL HERE ARE APPROACHING TWO POUNDS, AND SOME OF THEM ARE OVER TWO POUNDS.
THAT'S THE ONE THAT ONE BROKE OFF AND THEY KEPT HITTING IT, THAT ONE RIGHT THERE.
- YEAH, YEAH.
[laughs] - AND THEN SOME OF THESE LARGER BASS BUGS.
SO THEN YOU CHANGED COLORS.
YOU STARTED WITH A WHITE AND THEN WENT TO A-- - WHITE SLIDER AND THEN WENT TO-- YEAH, THEN WENT TO THE BUG I'VE GOT ON RIGHT NOW, WHICH--JUST THE DARKER BUG WITH A CONCAVE FACE TO POP IT.
- AND THEY SELL OUT TO THESE THINGS, I THINK MAINLY BECAUSE-- AND WE MENTIONED THIS EARLIER, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FISH FOR BLUEGILL AND BASS WITH OTHER THINGS, LIKE ARTIFICIAL BAIT, LITTLE SPINNERS AND STUFF.
AND THEY DON'T SEE THIS ALL THE TIME, SO THEY JUST ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO IT WHEN THEY START OUT.
IT'S A GREAT WAY TO FISH.
- IT'S FUN WATCHING THEM HIT.
I MEAN, IT HAS BEEN-- WATCHING THESE BLUEGILLS SMASH INTO IT HAS JUST BEEN FUN.
IT REALLY HAS.
- YEAH, AND IT'S A RIDE.
YOU CAN'T JUST HORSE 'EM IN.
THEY'RE IN CONTROL, AND THEY KNOW IT.
AND SO IT'S A GREAT ROD.
IT'S A GREAT FIGHT FOR THESE FISH.
- OH, IT'S BEEN GREAT.
- WELL, GOOD.
I'M GLAD.
LET'S DO IT AGAIN.
- I'VE HAD A GOOD TIME.
- ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.
- FLY ROD FISHING AND BLUEGILLS AND A LOT OF FUN.
IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION OR IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO, CALL THE NUMBER THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.
NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.
SHE'S GOT A RECIPE FOR OYSTER DRESSING.
- HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING AN OYSTER DRESSING, WHICH IS A GREAT RECIPE.
IT'S A GREAT FAVORITE OF OUR FAMILY'S TOO, AND IT'S GREAT WITH A ROASTED DUCK, ROASTED QUAIL OR ROASTED PHEASANT, OR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.
SO WHAT I'VE DONE IS, I'VE GONE AHEAD AND I'VE STARTED SAUTEING AND COOKING DOWN MY CELERY AND ONION IN SOME CHICKEN STOCK.
OR IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN TAKE-- YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN STOCK IF YOU WANT.
SO WHAT I'VE DONE IS, I'VE GONE AHEAD AND ADDED IN MY STOCK.
I'M GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE IN HERE.
AND I HAVE SOME LEFTOVER CORN BREAD, WHICH IS ALWAYS-- YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR LEFTOVER CORN MUFFINS AND YOUR LEFTOVER CORN BREAD?
I ALWAYS MAKE TOO MUCH.
AND SO THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE FOR THAT.
DRY IT OUT A LITTLE BIT, CRUMBLE IT UP, AND PUT IT IN A BAKING PAN.
THERE YOU GO.
IT'S A GREAT WAY TO USE IT UP.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN OUR-- WE ADDED IN OUR STOCK.
I'M GOING TO ADD IN SOME CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP AND SOME CREAM OF CELERY SOUP TO THIS.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO JUST STIR THAT TOGETHER.
WE HAVE SOME GREAT OYSTERS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN HERE TOO.
THEY'RE NICE AND PLUMP.
AND YOU CAN CUT THEM UP IF YOU LIKE, OR I JUST LIKE TO KEEP MINE WHOLE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO ADD THAT IN THERE.
PUT THIS ASIDE.
WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN SOME POULTRY SEASONING.
SO YOU CAN SEE THIS GOES TOGETHER QUICK AND EASY.
MEANTIME, WE HAVE OUR OVEN IS PREHEATING TO 325, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET ALL READY FOR THAT.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO STIR THIS TOGETHER.
WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN OUR OYSTERS, WHICH IS ABOUT A PINT OF OYSTERS.
LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL THOSE ARE.
AND STIR.
QUICK AND EASY.
SO WE'RE GOING TO WAIT TILL THIS COMES TO A BOIL.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO POUR IT OVER OUR CORN BREAD, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS IN ALL THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF OUR CORN BREAD.
SO WE'RE GOING TO POUR THIS OVER OUR CORN BREAD.
TRY NOT TO MAKE A MESS.
AND THEN I JUST KIND OF LIKE TO TOSS MINE OR MOVE IT AROUND A LITTLE BIT SO IT COVERS ALL OF OUR CORN BREAD.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS IN THE OVEN AT 325 DEGREES AND COOK IT FOR ABOUT 25 TO 30 MINUTES, JUST UNTIL IT'S FIRM.
YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERCOOK IT, 'CAUSE THEN YOUR OYSTERS WILL GET DRY.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A SOFT KIND OF DRESSING.
SO THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT COMES OUT.
YOU CAN SEE IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN AND CRISPY ON THE TOP FROM ALL THE-- THE CORN BREAD HAS CRISPED UP, SO YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT NICE CRUNCH.
AND THEN IT'S NICE AND MOIST UNDERNEATH.
SO I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE OYSTER DRESSING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.
- THANKS, DONNA.
ANOTHER TASTY RECIPE.
JOE, FLY ROD FISHING FOR BLUEGILL-- CAN IT GET ANY BETTER?
THIS SHOW EXCITED YOU.
- IT DID.
I DON'T THINK IT CAN GET ANY BETTER.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS, IF IT IS.
BUT THEY--AS I SAID, THIS HAS DEVELOPED SINCE THEY STARTED MANAGING FOR BASS, AND IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE FISHING.
I THINK THE SMALLEST FISH WE HAD THAT DAY WAS ABOUT A POUND, IN THE BLUEGILL CATEGORY.
AND WE CAUGHT SOME BASS, AS YOU SAW.
THAT KIND OF MIXES RIGHT IN.
BUT, AGAIN, WHEN THE GUYS WERE CATCHING THE FISH, THEY REALLY--YOU KNOW, THE FIRST STRIKE, THEY REALLY DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY HAD A BASS ON OR A BLUEGILL FOR THE FIRST MAYBE 30 SECONDS, AND THEN-- BUT WHAT AN INCREDIBLE FISHERY.
AND IF YOU'VE NEVER CAUGHT A BLUEGILL THAT SIZE, GIVE IT A SHOT.
- ESPECIALLY ON A FLY ROD.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.
WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
- [ANNOUNCER] MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
- [ANNOUNCER] THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE.
NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.
- [MALE ANNOUNCER] AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.
WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.
WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.
FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.
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