A Pudgy Dace or Two

Being the last day of the long weekend, I decided to head out again today to maybe give the sore lip to a sucker. Alas, I miscalculated, and all the suckers were under the bridge in a location which I could not see due to the sun's position. Sight fishing was necessary due to the hordes of ninja sunnies which would immediately protect the creek from an evil worm.

Still I stuck to it, and ended the expedition with nothing but a couple bluegills, redbreasts, and one little yellow bullhead that I sight fished.

The sun was high, and it was 90 degrees, so I headed back to get a drink. 

After a while, I made the decision to go back out, this time to my favorite creek, to go microfishing and perhaps, just perhaps, nab a lifer. 

Armed with Gulp! worms, my tanago hooks, and trusty micro rod, I set out. I was immediately swarmed by common shiners and creek chubs, but I noticed some other small, skinny, black-striped fish near the bottom in far less quantities. I didn't pay much attention to them and proceeded to catch more of the aforementioned fish. I was aimlessly jiggling my bait when I felt a tiny tap, and set the hook. The moment when I brought it up, I knew it was a lifer. 

Behold! The savage, enormous Blacknose Dace, species #41!

This one was quite a bit pudgy...

In the water...     

      And a release shot.

I managed to catch one more. Another check off the NJ species list, and another mark on my lifelist!