I try to keep track of which species I've written about. Many get short posts on my blog detailing

where, when and how I first caught a species, but I often write longer columns like the one

you're reading right now.

In part, it lets me remember each species and share stories about obscure fishes most people

haven't heard of. But not every species comes with a great story, so I'm forced to be creative.

As someone who writes about fishing for (a small part of) a living, my primary business expense is

travel and the costs associated with fishing. In order to justify to the Internal Revenue Service

that I do operate CaughtOvgard as a business and claim my fishing trips as business

expenses, I eventually have to write about every species and every trip. I don't have to write

about every injury, close call or misadventure in dating; that's purely for your entertainment.

Though I've written plenty about Hawaii, New Zealand, Mexico, Europe and virtually

everything from dusky shiners to dusky sharks, in all of my writing, I've come to realize that I've

ignored one of the fish I've chased since childhood: the black crappie.

Though I've caught more bluegill (2,723) and rainbow trout (2,364), the papermouth comes in at

No. 3 on my all-time catch list with a total particularly significant this week: 1776.

1776

It's been a minute since the United States of America first declared its independence on July 4,

1776, and in the nearly 250 years since, the black crappie hasn't changed much. Though native to

just six of the original 13 colonies, it is now found in every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii

and is one of the most popular targets of anglers nationwide.

Virtually every fish in American waters had value to Native Americans and colonists as food, but

today's Americans are less likely to eat what they catch than ever before. Most anglers place

crappie second only to walleye in terms of table value for freshwater fish. Personally, I don't eat

freshwater fish often because even the best pales in comparison to the most mediocre saltwater

fish, but you do you.

Independence Day is a significant measure in crappie fishing because it signals the beginning of

the end of the crappie season. You can catch crappie year-round, but to catch them in numbers,

you want to fish water temps between 65 and 80 degrees. In most of the Oregon outback, that

means mid-May through early July. A few weeks after imported fireworks, barbeques and gaudy

flag-choked outfits, the fireworks between spawning crappie are done, and the fish spread out

and move to deeper water.

Nonetheless, our independence was declared in part to pay fewer taxes, and I write these stories,

in part, to pay fewer taxes, so it's symbiotic, really.

Tactics

Early in the season, fishing from mid-afternoon to dark is the way to go, but as the summer sun

slowly boils the water, your worthwhile fishing window shrinks. By the end of the season, you're

fishing the last hour before dark.

Crappie like structure, so bridges, rock piles, flooded timber, logs and other manmade structures

can all draw and hold crappie. If the water is shallow (less than 5 feet or so), crappie will be

staging and trying to prolong their genetics. Since they're a non-native species out West, feel zero

guilt chasing them on their spawning grounds or harvesting them where legal.

Small curlytail grubs are my favorite tool, but tube jigs, small streamers, nymphs and the

polarizing fly known as the "San Juan worm" are all very effective. If the water is clear, use

natural colors like white, black, brown, purple or blue to imitate small baitfish. If the water is

dirty or stained, try brighter colors like glow-in-the-dark white, chartreuse, hot pink or red.

Over the years, I've had five nights wherein I caught more than 100 crappie after work. The best

was 222 in four hours, so be ready for nonstop action if you time it properly. Crappie don't fight

as hard as other panfish, so even on an ultralight or lightweight fly rod, you're able to bring them

in quickly, one after another.

Experiment

If you want to try something just for the sake of being contrary, join one of the two major

political parties. If you want to try something different while fishing, consider using small lures

for crappie or suspending a worm or minnow below a bobber. Crappie will crush these in low

light, and you tend to catch larger fish with this method.

Despite their lackluster effort once hooked, crappie will surprise you with their ferocity. I've

caught 8-inch crappie on large, jointed Rapalas, spoons, Keitech swimbaits and even large live

baits down South where that's allowed.

What I love most about crappie is the minimal level of commitment they require to pursue. You

can go out and fish for two hours after work with virtually no gear. You won't need a net,

probably won't need bait or extra lures, and you can still crush it. The casual freedom of the

crappie angler makes this fish a perfect mascot for July Fourth, so go out and celebrate.

For similar stories, read the author's book, "Fishing Across America" which is available for

preorder now at https://bit.ly/3MKucLp. Sign up for every single CaughtOvgard column at

www.patreon.com/CaughtOvgard. Read more for free at caughtovgard.com; Contact

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your continued support of local journalism.