Poppers Got A Brand New Bag

Now for something entirely different-

Muggy and overcast and pretty darn windy at Crawfish Pond across the road from the new Hagerman Visitor's Center.  After a long run, my pooped-out pup and I took the Sage Smallmouth out for a spin.  Aside from the usual stunted sunnies, this little jewel sucked in a black popping bug, and hooked himself well enough to allow for a quick photo op.  I had seen him cruising the weedline with some of his brothers, and took a shot at him just for the halibut.  In forty-five years of flyfishing, this is the first time I've ever taken a whiskered fish on top.  Nymphs, yes.  Streamers-quite a few.  But a popper-this was unique.  A few casts later, I scooped up another one-only not quite as large.  (read that-about four inches) I'm guessing the Fish and Wildlife may have stocked a few in the ponds in preparation for the kid's fishing day later in May.