Fly Fishing Tejon Ranch(Little Lake) 4/14/11. Did I mention a 12lb catfish on a 5wt!?

[Greg Madrigal]

My buddy Jeremy and I went on a fantastic Fly Fishers Club of O.C. outing to the small Lake at Tejon Ranch. It was an adventure to say the least.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch2011108.jpg
We got in EARLY in the am and were set up by 6am. I had a float tube that I bought several years ago and had never used. Yup, first time-I LOVED IT! J had a raft with troll motor and fish finder. I was on the water by 6:30 with my sites set on the tree strewn inlet of the lake.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201161.jpg
I tossed brown weighted and unweighted buggers all day on my 5 wt.

I picked up my first fish-a fat slab bluegill that was very much fun! He was tight a submerged tree island.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201121.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201123.jpg
I moved around picking up gills here and there. My most productive fishing in the am came from trolling my line behind me.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201131.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201134.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201121.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201131.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201148.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch20114.jpg


Nice colors…
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch20114812.jpg

I managed 4 or 5 small crappie too. The guys that I was there with from the club have been there many times and never caught craps. Jeremy also caught a slab crappie.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201170.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201191.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201137.jpg

I did catch a few small bass too. This was my biggest
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201111.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201118.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201153.jpg
And another
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201184.jpg This killer fly was tied by my buddy Ben at Arizona Wanderings. You’ll see more of it in a moment.

The best part of the day came when I was trolling in a back area of the lake close to shore and against some partially submerged branches. I thought I snagged the tree, but the tree seemed to move. I knew this fish was big, but he was snagged on the branch so I wasn’t sure. Then, after much maneuvering, I freed him up and moved him (Yeah, he moved ME) to the middle away from any trees. This fish put a hurt on me I swear I will never forget. Fought him for 15-20 minutes and couldn’t move him. It was a stalemate.
My rod was doubled over and my hand was aching. Actually, it still hurts as I type! I could not believe how he could just move wherever and take line whenever he wanted to during the fight. After 10 min, we saw a tail thru the murky water and it was HUGE!


My rod was doubled over and my hand was aching.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201171.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201172.jpg

Actually, it still hurts as I type! I could not believe how he could just move wherever and take line whenever he wanted to during the fight. After 10 min, we saw a tail thru the murky water and it was HUGE!

More club guys came by to see what all the raucous was about.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/IMG_0309.jpg

Jeremy managed to do a proper face plant into the drink when exiting his boat to try and net the kitty. Here he tries to recover his boat and his dignity! LOL!


http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/IMG_0311a.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/IMG_0316a.jpg


After many failed attempts, the beast was netted and we all high fived and hooted n hollered.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/IMG_0317a.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/IMG_0318a.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/IMG_0328a.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201175.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch20117712.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201179.jpg
A kiss 4 good luck!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201178.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201174.jpgRecognize this fly?
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201173.jpg


We took measurements: 30” long, 14” girth ahead of the dorsal, and a 15” girth on the head! Weight charts put her at 12lbs. I guessed it was between 10-12. I believe it is a channel. Anybody know 4 sure?

We let this beast go, and I continued to cast to the trees for more gills and small bass.

Final tally at 4:30 :
15+ bluegill
4-5 bass
4-5 crappie
1 Catfish



The tube was surprisingly comfortable. I will be doing that again!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch2011101.jpg

We saw a lot of wildlife including these mating toads, a (gopher) snake in the grass, a hopper hatch like none I have ever seen (Millions at the shoreline and surrounding grass), a rabbit, and tons of damsel flies. I caught this lil fellow crawling out on a stump, and put him in my fly back. Look carefully and you will see 2-3 old shed exoskeletons from other damsel fly nymphs that hatched off this log b4. The live one that I caught was either on the tip of the stump or lower center near my hand. They all look alive except one was walking!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201197.jpg
20 minutes later, I had a damsel fly!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201129.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanchLittleLake201120.jpg
Gogher snake
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch2011.jpg

Froggidy lovin’.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201157.jpg

Jeremey did well fishing damsel fly poppers and nymphs for bass.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201189.jpg
Cool cloud
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Tejon%20Ranch%205-11/TejonRanch201160.jpg

I almost forgot, Lyman Kennedy, the guy who set up the trip caught a 4-5lb kitty. He dropped it b4 any pics were taken. They said it was the first time they had anyone in the club(let alone 2) catch a catfish on this outing.

Tight lines fellas.

Greg

[tacklejunkie]

Whaaaaaat!
Wow, That's a killer report! One of the best I have seen in a while!
I could say many things about it but mostly I want to congratulate you on an amazing day!
Way to go!

[stocker]

Love the slabs and the hawg kitty! Nice report.

[TroutOnly]

Nice report greg,,,,,,,,,,,,now wheres my stripey net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lol, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Which Way Out]

I think the Kitty face camo was what did it for the catfish:ROFL:

Nice work and a great report. See any cool looking 4 legged animals running around ?

[fish-o-haulic]

Ive caught plenty of catfish, and have been finned by plenty of catfish in my time of fishing so yes i can say for sure that catfish is a channel catfish.

[Nessie Hunter]

Awesome Greg.. Fine job and report, good read!!!

[reservoir dog]

Nice pics Greg and great quality. Had to throw in the froggy porn huh...LOL!!!

[trout masterson]

Great report man. awesome mix bag. Kitty on the fly!!!!!!!!! Bad ***.

[Cameron]

Mind Blowing that catfish is very well done sir. Heck a all around wonderful report love them fatty gills.Thanks for sharing.

[Darius]

This is a private lake correct? What is the directions off the 5 to get to this lake?

[RickyRick]

Very nice report, good pictures and awesome size kitty. Thanks.

[fishfinder]

This is a private lake correct? What is the directions off the 5 to get to this lake?

http://www.hunttejon.com/index.html

[Wingnut]

Awesome report Greg, that kitty on the fly was something else. :Shocked:
Very nice day indeed. :Big Grin: