OK, if you flyfish Central Oregon, you know that Davis Lake is a shadow of its former self. The trout are scarce because illegally introduced largemouth bass feed upon the young trout. If you fish Davis Lake in mid June, I am told you can sling sizeable bunny Leech patterns to redds and hook into fairly substantial bass (5-10#). I cannot personally vouch for that, but I have seen 5-10# bass cruising amongst the reeds and at the base of the lava dam.
Recently, a friend of mine was chasing the elusive rainbow trout on Davis L. working the inlet channel. His family was taking a nearby nature walk at the edges of the lake when they encountered a duckling that appeared to be in need of assistance back to the water. The family, in a moment of setting nature back into balance, placed the little duckling back into the water. All was right with the duckling as it kicked away…a pleasant moment, I am sure.
The significance of this, to the flyfisher, is the consideration of a duckling pattern. A giant, largemouth bass came from the depths and rose up to engulf the duckling. The family helplessly watched as the duckling disappeared into the large bucket mouth. So dust off those rubber duckies or something similar. Just kidding; well at least about the rubber duckie part. Ok, ok, forget the duckling pattern…but it is, to me, fascinating how predatory fish can be.
http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2008/07/27/flyfishing-for-bass-prototype-duckling-pattern/ (After much consideration, I made a feeble attempt at a duckling ‘fly’)
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