This year two consecutive days of mid-60 degree temperatures preceded a warm and very sunny Christmas Day. I was hopeful the sun had warmed the upper layer of the small pond’s water and invigorated the fish population. Normally, of course, sunlight is to bass and bluegills as kryptonite is to Superman. A winter warming trend is the exception. The fish are willing to endure the brightness in exchange for a few degrees of warmth which increases their metabolisms and their desire to feed. The fish rarely invade the shallows but instead cruise at 2 to 3 feet of depth over deep water. Fish-catching in this situation is seldom fast as the fish are constantly on the move and widely scattered. Small streamers and bead-head soft hackles enabled my youngest Grandson and me to catch and release 7 bass of 10 to 14 inches and 4 bluegills of 7 to 7 1/2 inches. It’s a Christmas memory I’ll not forget.
A Christmas Gift
