I'll invest in a net today- definitely felt kinda wrong holding the poor fish like this . Beautiful creature
OK, this one has me puzzled. I THINK it is a Redbreast X Redear. You can see the light dorsal and ventral border on the rather long opercular flap that is common to redbreasts as well as the face striping. Obviously, if correct, the red on the opercular flap comes form the redear as does the orange spotting on the lower operculum. Besides these two, bluegill, longear and green are also known form this creek. Whatever it is, it's a gorgeous fish.
Found this little guy in my yard. Not sure how he died. Beautiful specimen, Rest In Peace.