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CLEARFIELD — Are you a beginning fly fisher or a seasoned veteran looking for a few hours of fun and relaxation? Grab your fly rod and a few beetle patterns and visit Steed Pond in Clearfield. It's a great place to practice casting and catching willing bluegill.
Steed Pond is located at 300 N. 1000 West, just north of Steed Park in Clearfield. It is a small pond of 2.5 acres with several areas of open shoreline. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to midnight. The daily bag and possession limit is two fish total and boating and floating are prohibited.
The pond is home to catfish, carp, smallmouth bass, planted rainbow trout (mostly planted in the cooler months) and bluegill. As with many community fisheries, the Division of Wildlife Resources asks that all bass that are caught be released. It is a popular place for families and kids to fish.
While it does not have actual, established handicap access, the areas of open shoreline would make it readily accessible. Restrooms can be found nearby at Steed Park.
The bluegill at Steed Pond are on the small side, but they are plentiful and relatively easy to catch. One of the fun ways to catch bluegill is with fly fishing gear. Those looking to get into fly fishing can practice getting used to fly gear and practice honing their casting and catching skills at Steed Pond. Seasoned veteran fly fishers can also improve their skills here.
If you are a beginner, find one of the open areas where you can practice your back cast and forward cast without snagging into the brush and trees. You can also practice a roll cast so that you are proficient at it when you want to cast but have brush or trees behind you. Those with better casting skills can cast around the trees and shoreline vegetation, hitting spots that others might find difficult. You might even catch one of the largemouth bass.
While most fly patterns will attract bluegill, they are especially attracted to black foam beetle patterns. It's possible to have several bluegills rise up to inspect a floating beetle. Some bluegill will rush to the beetle and then just stop and stare at it. The smallest ones will nip at it but not get hooked. A few twitches will get more strikes until you either miss or hook a bluegill. It is very visual and fun fishing.
Next time you have a couple of hours to burn in the evening or a few hours in the morning or afternoon, grab your fly rod, a handful or beetle patterns and head to Steed Pond. Many of the other community ponds have bluegill populations also. Find one close to your home and give it a try.
Robert Williamson is a graduate of Weber State College and the author of "Creative Flies: Innovative Tying Techniques."
