Panfish
Panfish is a broad category for fresh water fish approximately the size
of your hand. They are found largely in lakes and farm ponds and include
bream, crappie, sunfish, etc. They are different from small mouth
bass, large mouth bass, and striped bass.
When I was a small boy of 10 years or so, my Dad would take me to a
pay-for-fish pond close to our house. He would fish for bass, carp,
catfish, etc. I took a cane pole and would sit close to the supply water
feeding this small pond. Generally, I out fish my Dad by catching lots
and lots of "panfish". These were treasurable times and will always be
remembered fondly.
I'm 45 now, trying to give my kids (two boys) some of the same
rememberances given to me. Last summer, I camped at Boy Scout Camp John
J. Barnhardt with my eldest son. I'd restricted myself to trout fishing
until this week long encampment. Knowing that Camp Barnhardt is located
on Badin Lake, NC, I carried my fly rod and purchased some "popping bugs"
as I didn't know how to tie flys for small fresh water fish.
On a Thursday afternoon, in a matter of two hours, I caught 18 "panfish".
They hit hard. It was another memorable experience.
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I purchased a copy of Skip Morris' book on tying flys for bass and panfish and 
