Warm water jewels

[Troutman]

say you don't have the time or energy to hike a couple of miles into the high country streams to try and catch a 6-7" brookie? I find these can be quite rewarding on a small fly rod and popper. Caught a mess of these this morning before going to work!
love the coloration on these jewels of the warm waters.

[joefly]

Where did you catch it? Fort Loudon is 5 minutes from me so I go there occasionally, but haven't been having much luck...fishing from the bank...probably need to fish deeper or early in the morning. I did catch a 7" bluegill one day using a Black Gnat, but no more that day. This is my first year fly fishing, so any advice about the bluegill would be much appreciated. It's very easy for the wife and I to go to the lake when we don't have time to go to the mountains. Thanks. Joe

[Troutman]

Those are longear redbreast sunfish. I catch these all the time in local rivers such as the Little river and the Little Pigeon. fish the shady areas along the banks and especially around any kind of cover.
Chilhowee lake also has some beautiful sunnies in it like the ones below

[waterwolf]

The sunfish in our warmwater rivers far exceed the brook trout in coloration. They are quite striking, especially when their fins get lit up with orange and red. I would gladly walk 4 miles to catch a pile of Redbreast or Longears rather then walk 50 yards to catch another brook trout, which doesn't even have the spirit to pull back when hooked.

[DarrinG]

Just beautiful fish, Gary. What wonderful colors on those fish!
God's handiwork is awesome!

[Troutman]

Your both so correct! They are pretty tasty too!

[Bran]

Wow, that's about all you can add to those longears is wow. Thanks Gary, can't wait to get back to the river now!--Bran

[waterwolf]

Originally Posted by Bran

Wow, that's about all you can add to those longears is wow. Thanks Gary, can't wait to get back to the river now!--Bran

Actually those are both redbreast sunfish. Longears have a ton more markings on their gill plates. And blue spots all over their bodies.

[joefly]

Thanks for the advice, Troutman. Wow, those new pictires are absolotely beautiful! Joe

[flyred06]

I have to admit that these little guys are a lot of fun on a 4wt glass rod. Man a 50 fish day is very doable down here in alabama. And these jewels get to be good size. This year will be my first year to chase them with a cane rod Paul Young taper. I can not wait. Blluegills and hand tied foam poppers. A great summer ahead.