River fishing is the ultimate (pic heavy)

[Gibby3474]

Fished the Manatee River today. Launched shortly after daylight and headed upriver for about a half hour. Tide was outgoing, so I started to fish while drifting back toward the launch.
Big bluegill were taking No. 8 poppers, but the bite wasn't great -- until I switched to the Myakka Minnow. Then, it started.
Caught a bunch of really good bluegill, a nice shellcracker and got torn up by five channel cats. I didn't manage to land one cat -- a hefty 6-pounder on 2-weight fly rod. What a fight!
River fish are just a tad stronger than their lake brethren.

Nice shellcracker on Myakka Minnow:



Bluegill on Myakka Minnow:



Another nice bluegill:



6-pound channel cat on Myakka Minnow:



Hand-sized bluegill:



Bluegill on Myakka Minnow:



Another bluegill on the minnow:

[Bigfish171]

Nice report & photos, Steve.
Flyfishing for 'gills is one of the small pleasures in life. I just have to remind myself to break away from the salt once in a while to enjoy it.