Schoolie Rocks in Sarah Creek

[dwilliamsceg]

I went out for about an hour over lunch. It does not get much prettier than it is today. 70degrees, low humidity, and a light breeze. Picked up 4 schoolie rocks in the creek. Largest was in the 25" range. Smallest was about 12". All were caught on a fly I call a Guinea Jig. This is a Clouser minnow with the dumbbell eyes moved up to the hook eye so that it jigs and has more exagerated movement than a traditional Clouser deep minnow. The largest fish was extremely aggressive and would not tire out. It definitely is a blast catching an aggressive schoolie rock on a 6wt.

Water temp was 59degrees. Fished second half of outgoing tide.

Pics follow.

[Kevin Smith]

With the lower water temperature it holds oxygen extremely well, so the fish will really fight. Glad you got on some quality pullage.

Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[dwilliamsceg]

I was actually quite surprised that the fish would not stop fighting. I fought the largest one for over 5 mins (enjoying every second) but the fish never tired. I basically horsed him to the side of the boat to release them.

[Patrick Dickhudt]

Congrats on some pullage. I fished that same area Sunday afternoon and didn't even get a nibble. That was right as the cold front came through so I'll use that as my excuse. Glad to know they're there.

[dwilliamsceg]

What were you throwing?

[J Lavender]

Cool, where is Sarah's Creek?

[gary49]

It is on the Gloucester side of the York River, less than a mile below the bridge.

[dwilliamsceg]

Cool, where is Sarah's Creek?

Here's a map - 23072 - Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=23072&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.177128,122.695313&ie=UTF8&ll=37.258957,-76.473556&spn=0.025344,0.05991&t=h&z=15&iwloc=A)

[Patrick Dickhudt]

I was in a kayak so I left the fly flinger at home. I was using jigs on a light spinning rod. I've had decent luck with that in the past. I didn't see any bait or other signs of life in the area I was fishing. On the way back to my house I did come across a school of peanut bunker so it seems like the creek is coming to life. After your report I'm excited to get back out and try again.

[dwilliamsceg]

I wanted to post some better quality pics of the fly. The pink and tan color has been more effective than the old chart/white stand by. This color combo was recommended by my friend Craig Irwin. Hook is a 3/0 Gama sp11-3l3h

[dwilliamsceg]

I was in a kayak so I left the fly flinger at home. I was using jigs on a light spinning rod. I've had decent luck with that in the past. I didn't see any bait or other signs of life in the area I was fishing. On the way back to my house I did come across a school of peanut bunker so it seems like the creek is coming to life. After your report I'm excited to get back out and try again.

With the latest warm up the baitfish has been exploding the very shallow upstream branches. The shad are also in the creek near Cook's, etc. Other than flounder, I have had more success on a fly than a jig in the Creek. This may be self fulfilling. Do you live on the Creek? I live on the NE branch off of Blake's View / HollyCove.

[J Lavender]

Thanks Gents, I had never heard of Sarah's Creek before.

[Patrick Dickhudt]

Yeah, I do live on the creek. I guess you'd call it the southeast branch or maybe its Oyster cove? Its the branch between Oyster cove and Little England. I've kayaked up the northeast branch lots of times. Maybe next time I'll leave the kayak at home and take my jon boat so I can toss some flies.

[dwilliamsceg]

Ahhh...you're over there where a couple guys have regulators or contenders.

[BBCroaker]

I was in a kayak so I left the fly flinger at home. I was using jigs on a light spinning rod. I've had decent luck with that in the past. I didn't see any bait or other signs of life in the area I was fishing. On the way back to my house I did come across a school of peanut bunker so it seems like the creek is coming to life. After your report I'm excited to get back out and try again.

Patrick is there a public place in the creek to launch a kayak .Like to fish creeks not a big water fan anymore.

[thill]

DWilliams,
Very cool pics, and your fly is interesting...

I've made epoxyheads just like that, but with lead wire under the epoxy, instead of the dumbell eyes. They do have an erratic action, and I use a two-handed, "jerky" retrieve, and the stripers love it. A slower, dead-drifted approach works well at times, too.

Thanks for the report and great pictures. Can't wait to flex my new 7/8 and 9/10 sticks. They are both Aurora Conquests, bought at a steal brand new on Ebay, and are some sweet casting rods. Not quite as fast action as I like, but they really fling the line. I just need to slow down a bit and let the rod do the work, and they fly.

Hope to see more flyfishing reports. Chompin' at the bit now!

-TH

[madmike27976]

grrrrrrrrrrrr

[Patrick Dickhudt]

BBcroaker,

There is a boat launch off Tidemill Rd. I think it costs $5 for a boat. Otherwise, its a pretty short paddle from Gloucester Point beach. Honestly, I don't think its a great fishing spot. dwilliamsceg probably knows better than me but I mostly fish there when I'm too lazy or its too windy to fish somewhere else. Guinea Marsh, Mobjack, Goodwin Island, etc are all close and offer a lot more fishable (and sheltered if you pick your spot right) water and better scenery.

[dwilliamsceg]

Pat is right. Sarah Creek is the not the best fishing location in our general area and it does take some time to figure out the spots holding fish but it does offer a bit of protected water and some good locations to paddle.

The marina he is referring to is called "Gloucester Point", not to be confused with the public launch. They charge $5 to put in a boat but I doubt they would care if you put in your yak. Below are some maps of the marina.

[dwilliamsceg]

DWilliams,
Very cool pics, and your fly is interesting...

I've made epoxyheads just like that, but with lead wire under the epoxy, instead of the dumbell eyes. They do have an erratic action, and I use a two-handed, "jerky" retrieve, and the stripers love it. A slower, dead-drifted approach works well at times, too.

Thanks for the report and great pictures. Can't wait to flex my new 7/8 and 9/10 sticks. They are both Aurora Conquests, bought at a steal brand new on Ebay, and are some sweet casting rods. Not quite as fast action as I like, but they really fling the line. I just need to slow down a bit and let the rod do the work, and they fly.

Hope to see more flyfishing reports. Chompin' at the bit now!

-TH

Here are tying instructions. The last step (epoxy) is not shown.

[BBCroaker]

Thank you for replying and the info.

[dwilliamsceg]

FYI here is a batch of more of the jig flies. I tied these up for a weekend trip to Rudee. The winds may FFishing a bit un-enjoyable.

[cirwin]

Dave there was short bite this evening. Two of the hits were so hard they ripped the rod across the dock and one went into the water, managed to grab it but the missed the hookset.

[thill]

DWilliams,
Thanks for the tying instructions! I like your reversal of the tan bucktail, so as to get the eyes right to the front of the hook. Are the eyes enough to make the fly flip over, or does it matter? I think the jiggy action may be the real beauty of those flies.

Will tie up some and put them to use. Will post pictures of any success. Thanks for sharing!

-TH