I was able to hit a local pond for a couple hours one day last week. I like this particular pond for fly fishing because it's open all around it. I don't have to worry about the backcast too much.

I tied on a popper and was able to fool a few bluegill.


I got lucky a few times and hooked into a couple bass.



I found an old Dahlburg Diver in the box that was my father's from years ago. I tied it on and gave it a try, hoping for some of the bigger bass that I know are in there.
I cast the fly like it was meant to go. I have to say, probably my nicest cast of the day. You know the one, where everything goes right. Perfect tight loops. The line lands gracefully and the fly unrolls in a sweet smooth motion. One two inch strip...another...SPLOOSH! The fly is gone...one...two...SET! Fish on!
I was using a 4wt that has proven itself on smaller fish many times, and I had no worries if it could handle this fish as well. Although it hadn't been bent this much until now. We fought back and forth for a few minutes until he tired out and I landed him.

When I went to unhook it I noticed that I was lucky I even landed him. The fly's hook broke as I twisted it out. At this point, the only thing holding the hook's eye to the bend was the thread used to tie it.

It wasn't the biggest bass I pulled from that pond, but it was the biggest on a fly.

Chris