KDM Rat! Your Answer to Weedless!

So, we've been doing a lot of bass fishing lately and what does one think of when they think bass habitat? Vegetation and weeds! Bass like to chill out in thick cover and this can be quite a challenge for us fly anglers to make a good presentation without yarding in 80 pounds of crap attached to the hook. In my younger days of conventional bass fishing, a great lure to throw into this so-called "danger zone" that bass hide in was the Snag-Proof frog. As you can see below this baby can ride on top of the mossy mats without hooking up, but as soon as a hungry bass nails it, they are met with two, nice big pointy surprises.

So, one day KD decided to apply the same principle's of the Snag-Proof from to a fly and voila! Here are a couple of my KDM rats:


The bottom is made with sticky back lead and UV epoxy. I believe the reasoning for the lead is so the fly lands the right way up when casted. The epoxy on top allows the fly to slide safely (until big momma bass hits it!) across the mats.

I test drove them somewhat today. No takes, but I did learn a few things I want to tweak on them. I can't wait to get one to hammer this thing! But I did manage to still get a solid handful to take:

Kistler Ranch

Little Bit O' Bass Fishin'

Daniel and I mobbed out to some local bass ponds today. Definitely needed to throw some line! With all the local rivers flowing pretty high, there aren't too many "after work" fishing opportunities. We had some fun throwing topwater poppers and some comical takes on the surface to say the least. Here are a couple of the fish below. There will be a small video to follow. I should mention too that this short video will be absolutely ridiculous! It will be bass-tastic!

Merced River Float

With the Stan and Tuolumne blown out, a few weeks ago Thomas and I decided to take out the pontoons and float down the Merced river from the hatchery down to the park in Snelling. Check out the map.



The float itself was actually very chill and relaxing with little rapids along the way. You kind of just float for a bit and pick and choose your spot to fish. There are many good spots along the river that will produce I believe. This trip, being our first time going down the river, was more of a recon mission. We fished some random patterns and came across a few fish including these two. It really made for a great day.

Old School Stanislaus Fly Fishermen

"I Thought it was a Snag!"

Back on the Stan!

Headed out again tomorrow!!