Kip’s Comments - September 17, 2026

In Need of My Fly Rod

While bass fishing today I saw and heard repeated gulps and splashes on the water surface around me. At first I wasn’t certain the cause of the commotion. Then I noticed tiny flying ants, many in the mating process, on the surface of the water. If the ants remained still and did not create rings on the water, they were generally safe. However, if the ants moved and created rings, bluegills would quickly swim to the ants on the surface and suck them down.

I tried to photograph the ant-eating action, but only got one image. Take a look at the tiny ants, then study the image of the bluegill with its mouth open as it consumes the ant. The bluegill mouth is dominate in the image. With a little squinting you can see the outline of the bluegill too.

Had I had my fly rod and dry flies with me, I bet I could have brought home a meal of bluegills!