I had a rare day to myself yesterday so I decided to do a little bowfishing. It had been awhile since I had visited my favorite spot so I wasn't sure what to expect when I got there. The first area I went to was low on water so I headed to option number two. It looked much better. Here's a pic of the hunting grounds.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0210.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0210.jpg.html)
It's a channel about 20 yards wide running along a levee. The water was like chocolate milk so visibility was poor. The plan was to walk the levee road until a fish was spotted and then try to sneak up to the waters edge for a shot. Sounds easy enough but the first couple of fish I spotted were very spooky. It was going to take a stealthier approach if I wanted to get a shot. On the next fish, I approached 20 yards downstream and then crouched down in the weeds and waited for it to move closer. As it moved into range I slowly stood up and shot. The water exploded and I knew I had my first fish of the day in the bag.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0203.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0203.jpg.html)
I used this tactic for the rest of the morning and it seemed to work pretty well. The murky water made for some tough targets. Most of the time you were shooting at just a ripple in the water or a dorsal fin sticking up. This was all you could see and you had to guess where the rest of the fish was at.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0207.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0207.jpg.html)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0208.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0208.jpg.html)
You really had to be careful approaching these fish. If they saw you they were gone in a flash. It made for a very fun morning and added some excitement to the outing. The weeds I was hiding in also had something to share.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0204.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0204.jpg.html)
What would a summertime bowfishing trip be without the trad gang "do rag."
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0211.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0211.jpg.html)
Over the course of the morning I was able to put 10 fish on the bank and had 4 others pull off before I could land them. Here are a couple of the victims.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0209.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0209.jpg.html)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/bmnash/bowfishing/DSCN0206.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bmnash/media/bowfishing/DSCN0206.jpg.html)
The last fish of the day was also my best shot of the day. He was on the opposite side of the channel moving along the edge of the far bank. I decided to give it a try even though 20 yards is a bit far for my talents with a heavy fiberglass arrow. The arrow and line arched across the channel and much to my surprise center punched the fish just below the dorsal fin. It was a great way to end the day.
Good job Bill! I've only got out once this year and need to go again.
nice :thumbsup:
Way to go!
Bowfishing is a hoot!
Bisch
Nice work Bill! Bowfishing is a hoot! Nice fish.
Chris K
Brings back some great memories of summer afternoons in my youth. While shooting carp is always fun, stalking them when they are on predator alert just ramps up the fun. They can be as wary as trout and you must tread lightly on the bank or risk spooking them. Nice job :clapper:
I enjoy bowfishing about as much as anything I can do with my recurve. Haven't been out much this year though, even though I promised myself I would be bowfishing more this year than ever.
Very nice pics and fish as well.
GREATJOB...it really need to do this someday!
Nice! The one pic is pretty cool....in and out the same side....not something you see everyday
very nice!
:archer:
Looks like fun Bill :thumbsup: Great picks and great way to spend a day.
Tracy
Awesome time. Congrats
Glad you were able to get out, Bill. Good to see you posting :bigsmyl:
Congrats, Good Pics!