Lepomis auritus--the black-sheep of the Lepomis lineage, shunning still-waters and preferring the rough and tumble expanses of rivers and streams. They are the 2.0 version of "bluegill" standing toe-to-toe with Micropterus dolmieu in pocket water and along riffle edges.
Many (if not all) Lepomis are are endowed with striking regalia--especially during the romantic seasons--but L. auritus might just be the fairest of them all. A mixture of iridescent indigo-blue and flame-red highlights reminds one of an evening sunset.
The first "bluegill" species that I remember catching and the species that taught me the finer points of upstream drag-free drift presentations. I search for them wherever warm waters flow and always spend a little too much time admiring their beauty.
This is a photo-tribute to L. auritus, Enjoy!
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| Eye of the tiger. |
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| A color palette on steroids |
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| From the Amazon? No, right in your own back yard! |
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| A stretch of the Rockaway River along I-287; typical L. auritus habitat |
AMAZING PICS!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dustin, macro photos can be great...when they turn out nice like this!
ReplyDeleteHey Mark,
ReplyDeleteCame across your blog looking for fishing near my new home of North Reading (by those Quarries-Sand factories). I like your scientific approach! I too am a PhD scientist in limbo. Thanks big pharma!
Anyhow, I am looking to get back into some fishing near here. And it looks something like you do. Close to home, maybe hiking in the wood. Do you have any suggestion for around here? I have simple lightweight gear (not fly). Bait?
Scientist to scientist, Thanks and nice blog!
UT,
ReplyDeleteI am fairly new to the area and do not have a lot personal experience yet. However, the Ipswich River in North Reading would be a good place to start. Try the Ipswich River Park (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=17738727159443471683&q=ipswich+river+park&gl=us&dtab=0&sll=42.57107,-71.086175&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&ll=42.576186,-71.097078&spn=0,0&t=h&z=16).
You might also try looking at some of the information on the MASS Wildlife site (http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/fishing_home.htm) They have pond maps and suggestions for fishing spots based upon what species you might be interested in catching.
Good luck and good fishing!!
M
Hi Mark, I just stumbled across your blog. I have to admit you have the most interesting blog name ever. I signed up to follow. JGR
ReplyDeleteM, Thanks...
ReplyDeleteI have seen a lot of people fishing here as well
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.579316,-71.132721&num=1&t=h&sll=42.57107,-71.086175&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=42.579338,-71.13287&spn=0.004116,0.00825&z=17
Going out to try tommorow
Went out to the above location and found great success. pickerel, bass, panfish, was told trout and other fish here as well. Very underfished and lots of good shoreline options.
ReplyDeleteHighly recommended. I also can recommend good ways to walk in if your interested. If you drive by its not at all clear.
Great! I could not figure out access from Google maps, so please let me know how you get in there. Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&dirflg=w&t=h&msa=0&msid=200766580473325916094.0004a5b6edf676a64b061&ll=42.579247,-71.130676&spn=0.002058,0.005284&z=18
ReplyDeletePark at the edgewood (100 lowell Rd) guest parking near the clubhouse. There are a couple trails, but if you head westerdly towrards the power lines as drawn in the map it isn't too hard to figure out.
Shoot me an email @ theurbantomato at gmail com
if you want more instructions.
I love that I can walk 5 min from my place and fish. Yesterday, it was quite active. Caught a nice pickerel on the first cast. With about 6 in a 40 min session. Wildlife is great too, saw a couple deer and many beautiful birds. Its really a nice spot.