Longear and Leaves

[swellcat]

Were I to have an aquarium, longear sunfish could provide plenty of colour.

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[Mataura mayfly]

What a neat composition! Beautiful colour tones to the entire shot, but those fish are stunning.
So what big ole bead head soft hackle did it decide was dinner?

[tjd]

Beautiful photo and fish! Lots of fun to catch!

Tim

[swellcat]

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Thanks for the kind replies.

Longears (much like Jimmy Dickens) tend to be little, but they're loud.

The fly was carefully selected . . . because it happened to be stuck on the outside of the tackle bag.

Hook: Mustad 9671 – 12
Tail: "Phezabou" – the über-billowy ringneck rump feathers, natural
Abdomen: Separated strand of DMC Mouliné Light Effects metallic embroidery floss in pearlescent cream
Thorax: Dark olive dubbing
Hackle: Phezabou
Head: 6/0 (4mm or so) Czech glass bead

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[letumgo]

Gorgeous photo. Do you mind if I save a copy? Such a nice composition of colors.

I've never seen a longear before. Lovely fish.

[swellcat]

Glad I posted it, then. Here, should you like, is a link to a bit higher resolution: http://oi62.tinypic.com/2yxpzf9.jpg.

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[Narrow Lane]

Gorgeous colors. Beautiful late-night viewing for an insomniac.

[letumgo]

Thanks for the link. I saved a copy of the photo.

[DOUGSDEN]

Swellcat,
You are singing my song! What a great looking fish on such an unusual fly! I live for sunfishes in all varieties including your perfect catch of this magnificent longear. Have you ever run across the brightly colored pumkinseed? I live the steely blue markings up and over the top of this fish and around the gills as well! You did a good job in bringing this beauty to us in such an awesome backdrop! We want to see more of your stuff in the future!
Sunfish D.

[michaelgmcgraw]

That is a very nice photo, don't see many bluegills around here like that.