tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70000106675960668852024-03-18T03:27:39.164-04:00~StreamSide Tales~~~~~~~Stories from along the waters~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.comBlogger480125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-86595946788982938812024-03-14T08:45:00.000-04:002024-03-14T08:46:29.290-04:00March Brown Nymph<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">March
Brown Nymph Tute</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsGW1zxAGdMRbKjL01WsCx-Qo49_CB4utbVZ6hd21OObpt9drx8t012JmUYR-9pbXMkTW9ZXvCLuZXWfEdnDgSu5e8oXyfccgc3jh6ytvhA2JclB8ZV_JpOOIe8_cLZ8jsliLviOWd26GSfqanYPuMkIBC74lOtfHJV2z2GbCZcV-Lu0eSoRf-TOIZiS-/s2038/15%20MB%20Nymph.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1651" data-original-width="2038" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsGW1zxAGdMRbKjL01WsCx-Qo49_CB4utbVZ6hd21OObpt9drx8t012JmUYR-9pbXMkTW9ZXvCLuZXWfEdnDgSu5e8oXyfccgc3jh6ytvhA2JclB8ZV_JpOOIe8_cLZ8jsliLviOWd26GSfqanYPuMkIBC74lOtfHJV2z2GbCZcV-Lu0eSoRf-TOIZiS-/w400-h324/15%20MB%20Nymph.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1.
Hook #10 or #12 3906b Mustad (1x long nymph hook)<br /></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2.
Thread; Brown 6/0</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3.
weight. .015 lead wire</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4.
Tail; Pheasant tail fibers</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5.
Rib; Brown Thread</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6.
Abdomen; Amber/Seal Fur mixed dubbing</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7.
Wing Pad; Mottled Turkey Quill Section</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8.
Legs; 1 Brown Speckled Hen Feather</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Material</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-3ySl9H9ztqOFvH8TBUR2EWDEwkYt6D2_QmVO8MFOsE1kBqyVAsBwC2looOdZ3fh1wggffovPhz__cMuUaGljbLJUr1r22FExS98TvSHSZ634Z-_RDOOZaTLKSmYKSOCYFrR6OwKljrpvECwPilpI16g1-6hlA5k-wfUNtsgQwteSdWu5lZ7W53YEbqQ/s3927/materials.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2784" data-original-width="3927" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-3ySl9H9ztqOFvH8TBUR2EWDEwkYt6D2_QmVO8MFOsE1kBqyVAsBwC2looOdZ3fh1wggffovPhz__cMuUaGljbLJUr1r22FExS98TvSHSZ634Z-_RDOOZaTLKSmYKSOCYFrR6OwKljrpvECwPilpI16g1-6hlA5k-wfUNtsgQwteSdWu5lZ7W53YEbqQ/w400-h284/materials.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1.
Thread base hook shank and counter wrap lead as shown</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy9RfWrGjzhlZWhk1yNNG1ohxrOf-ukc74fOH8ZNIocUrXd5kVTflIaG-RYcD-5GtP04Kcs5cAFSc3dhJuAf422Q4fwy3otvdZ-92N7M3PZvkgPuShVR6eYAULL4H2WSlw1Lbz9FOlXoLFTIL9zpt5O_xnJqcc7nzow3c-4ExhdI5E71Tr1_Ae2lGYqXV/s1609/1.%20lead%20wrap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1609" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy9RfWrGjzhlZWhk1yNNG1ohxrOf-ukc74fOH8ZNIocUrXd5kVTflIaG-RYcD-5GtP04Kcs5cAFSc3dhJuAf422Q4fwy3otvdZ-92N7M3PZvkgPuShVR6eYAULL4H2WSlw1Lbz9FOlXoLFTIL9zpt5O_xnJqcc7nzow3c-4ExhdI5E71Tr1_Ae2lGYqXV/w400-h264/1.%20lead%20wrap.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2.
Secure lead with thread wraps and flatten lead with pliers</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5mU1OzDMLnM5FtrekJZ3VeG8sVm0VDt3hz1AMVb8IfcRTMUjAfOrk7Kh2LFwvSHk6joe-CjpPAHLx8z1S5d4QQofYUx18JjA8wWoAopTyGbK2MmeVQd9GlgqYcsj8-pRgSp1YIZ_xeQNiywNy0efNf9TgRdKIfvwkjYskLN8-azqbqrCKh45k_7mO2c-/s2678/2%20flatten.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="2678" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5mU1OzDMLnM5FtrekJZ3VeG8sVm0VDt3hz1AMVb8IfcRTMUjAfOrk7Kh2LFwvSHk6joe-CjpPAHLx8z1S5d4QQofYUx18JjA8wWoAopTyGbK2MmeVQd9GlgqYcsj8-pRgSp1YIZ_xeQNiywNy0efNf9TgRdKIfvwkjYskLN8-azqbqrCKh45k_7mO2c-/w400-h258/2%20flatten.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3.
Tie in pheasant tail fibers, behind lead to bend, about the length of
the hook shank</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MRpn8d4K19gh46cBkKrlrJ6KJmS2kJnenY8LYzbO3o2lS9OD6vvj-tpj6VqY9V9vhMxLrSo3NFHIIro9TLXuBIcdZEt5QibvQlxESYaMy8pJMVjPWQJGBeHOiwqp-lCuPTZC4kIwHoDQitCDx954wzEcddKlgbdO0c29KouCbsrCZOBuPah6RPXxX9Vv/s2810/3%20pheasant%20tail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2810" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MRpn8d4K19gh46cBkKrlrJ6KJmS2kJnenY8LYzbO3o2lS9OD6vvj-tpj6VqY9V9vhMxLrSo3NFHIIro9TLXuBIcdZEt5QibvQlxESYaMy8pJMVjPWQJGBeHOiwqp-lCuPTZC4kIwHoDQitCDx954wzEcddKlgbdO0c29KouCbsrCZOBuPah6RPXxX9Vv/w400-h219/3%20pheasant%20tail.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4.
Trim Fibers and tie in brown thread behind lead at tail</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpqogWSb_rYrLZbZl2O6fCWWQCoZXcdnjNHSdFLqzmKgkroL99HzSHSxIIWjbxTt-f-5kjglEUCBi-P7HsNiPsrUtmE78twhch4ZbMtMuUdVfNIDyZHTO_0SGcOdmvszMl70fJby_h83jxllPy46AR177RUmwpcDgXvJn1wkuv5IIld6EAEQjQnqlLRJy/s1873/4%20brown%20thread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="1794" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpqogWSb_rYrLZbZl2O6fCWWQCoZXcdnjNHSdFLqzmKgkroL99HzSHSxIIWjbxTt-f-5kjglEUCBi-P7HsNiPsrUtmE78twhch4ZbMtMuUdVfNIDyZHTO_0SGcOdmvszMl70fJby_h83jxllPy46AR177RUmwpcDgXvJn1wkuv5IIld6EAEQjQnqlLRJy/w384-h400/4%20brown%20thread.JPG" width="384" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5.
Dub abdomen as shown</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMnkkfmCzBu9ScN9tiHZ3WL5XFytxt-d7i7syM3kVhEekfgrhOSDCmytptbk83Gc98y9b40voWQSC76uDfgM0spoKgqNNnbZQwG9ZAgbUFiiO63wx7ZSOzyKR7Mnl8-duu5GK2qseM0q8UJrGZ4bUPrFh2gFQcXtF_na85tLxxgQRZ-hAThztSKCNWUm3/s2679/5%20dub%20abdomen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="2679" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMnkkfmCzBu9ScN9tiHZ3WL5XFytxt-d7i7syM3kVhEekfgrhOSDCmytptbk83Gc98y9b40voWQSC76uDfgM0spoKgqNNnbZQwG9ZAgbUFiiO63wx7ZSOzyKR7Mnl8-duu5GK2qseM0q8UJrGZ4bUPrFh2gFQcXtF_na85tLxxgQRZ-hAThztSKCNWUm3/w400-h268/5%20dub%20abdomen.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6.
Wrap thread, forming rib, around abdomen to front.</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoblLeRhyPJtiBMuzxUF6tBe_c0ej13RDAI2nIULWwHROLXAShNRbfuQSryCv-1W74ww4lgujYbJc3lcVscV1jLmmdyHOnVRC8lu3_x_MLr70wfTN6F4t3NLnxmFXGZ7JE2lX0KELtEQoMGOwo_HTYfWNJvpyLBn1qgLlPOPcp25rrVVheVwB4AIbltcN/s2433/6%20thread%20rib.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="2433" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoblLeRhyPJtiBMuzxUF6tBe_c0ej13RDAI2nIULWwHROLXAShNRbfuQSryCv-1W74ww4lgujYbJc3lcVscV1jLmmdyHOnVRC8lu3_x_MLr70wfTN6F4t3NLnxmFXGZ7JE2lX0KELtEQoMGOwo_HTYfWNJvpyLBn1qgLlPOPcp25rrVVheVwB4AIbltcN/w400-h255/6%20thread%20rib.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7.
Tie in turkey section over abdomen as shown</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3samuVj3Q6lTa-HZnUzFwKaMYPRXYsRNCL5UAVSHl95A4eT2FEVlLULSwvfl3WPdUPz5yoQDS6lEOtZb70WJzjcgeT_DRdeZjVtLE3Ug_1qfbEu8319QI1d6dqSmdvmcYVujsnoHgebquXKsw8nIXJE0Hqy2jWOWNOsu-wb6FnrSIwJwSoXq8_l5MXal/s2798/7%20wing%20pad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="2798" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3samuVj3Q6lTa-HZnUzFwKaMYPRXYsRNCL5UAVSHl95A4eT2FEVlLULSwvfl3WPdUPz5yoQDS6lEOtZb70WJzjcgeT_DRdeZjVtLE3Ug_1qfbEu8319QI1d6dqSmdvmcYVujsnoHgebquXKsw8nIXJE0Hqy2jWOWNOsu-wb6FnrSIwJwSoXq8_l5MXal/w400-h393/7%20wing%20pad.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8.
Dub thorax right in front of wing pad only, leaving room for legs</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAc0_AJ8HfMDHGsdnMukMGn1Da8lH-iRWHadSEW77z3G9MYPz4izEaPX0G37L5J_nWnWJj6ik__udSKjGm59ReqDAKVKY5vcMYxWx9H7rFefG6zDYT-CafK-SINNs30tcKaAABc4nPl8Tn2oWhiiym8abMtvzvduevCWLQ57Xbu66OdK25eBYUYSOBE3s/s2323/8%20first%20dub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="2323" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAc0_AJ8HfMDHGsdnMukMGn1Da8lH-iRWHadSEW77z3G9MYPz4izEaPX0G37L5J_nWnWJj6ik__udSKjGm59ReqDAKVKY5vcMYxWx9H7rFefG6zDYT-CafK-SINNs30tcKaAABc4nPl8Tn2oWhiiym8abMtvzvduevCWLQ57Xbu66OdK25eBYUYSOBE3s/w400-h339/8%20first%20dub.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">9.
Tie in Speckled Hen Hackle in front of dubbing</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqehZE5O3u-Q_4wB12U_5IVhXfBhxNKqvpRHPh_wq45gP87E07ELCv-oIIymwxiQuruEApd408JtMFAreVJlyMz7-PnYYay8Fdx6MNvqwb4djMS7CPiARavrtRgDlCgDgtE-ppVcWHmfdqjVduiBWS8qbbgE_x0tFHqoYmJTKBYPw7_wUZ5I20Cw-T1cV/s2747/9%20hen%20hackle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="2747" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqehZE5O3u-Q_4wB12U_5IVhXfBhxNKqvpRHPh_wq45gP87E07ELCv-oIIymwxiQuruEApd408JtMFAreVJlyMz7-PnYYay8Fdx6MNvqwb4djMS7CPiARavrtRgDlCgDgtE-ppVcWHmfdqjVduiBWS8qbbgE_x0tFHqoYmJTKBYPw7_wUZ5I20Cw-T1cV/w400-h370/9%20hen%20hackle.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">10. Make 1 wrap of hackle, in front of dubbing, forming legs and tie off.
Trim any unruly barbs under and/or beneath abdomen</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBWB-7rxU7YOS_9TX6OXjD6_r6EvoGj9UT-JvJAX-oHgQviM14Io6GTexqqYq2Lw89Lx_QQ4QeL9909zFAMAntYJtQ4L_dw4s5Yt9kVhoqd4aoQ_cUNNWT5IaackpqJUwu3jIdYkhUPlfGsKuzCBkeoGio_F_WuyHpH4TJo1n3UZvNx-xt93VO7-rEBOb/s3024/10%20legs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1881" data-original-width="3024" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBWB-7rxU7YOS_9TX6OXjD6_r6EvoGj9UT-JvJAX-oHgQviM14Io6GTexqqYq2Lw89Lx_QQ4QeL9909zFAMAntYJtQ4L_dw4s5Yt9kVhoqd4aoQ_cUNNWT5IaackpqJUwu3jIdYkhUPlfGsKuzCBkeoGio_F_WuyHpH4TJo1n3UZvNx-xt93VO7-rEBOb/w400-h249/10%20legs.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11.
Dub rest of thorax to behind eye leaving space to tie in wing pad.</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN1av7y5_0zg_JgXijXTDqUlbHqE_2uHF0CdwVOQARDVv0PD52xRzMUXH1rQqNeNoelhrtdJSv1VpEPYbLzrLOzgZsxzbZD-pf97LQU-C1sp0_6edcNpkXAZ36wCiZ-BZ-i0kuoI_ONAorF7i09lREC-01wT3pE-fJVjbBLORYj3gzIGyTIukG55OMELn/s2713/11%20front%20dub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2713" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN1av7y5_0zg_JgXijXTDqUlbHqE_2uHF0CdwVOQARDVv0PD52xRzMUXH1rQqNeNoelhrtdJSv1VpEPYbLzrLOzgZsxzbZD-pf97LQU-C1sp0_6edcNpkXAZ36wCiZ-BZ-i0kuoI_ONAorF7i09lREC-01wT3pE-fJVjbBLORYj3gzIGyTIukG55OMELn/w400-h303/11%20front%20dub.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">12.
Fold wing pad over thorax and tie down.</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiathwcG4_TfsaM0-Iabn6uu_GS6DLPjLW00FCXqkrt_3EUaqGSrj9I1Q9HkBGKVidWaHCVRIAwqfe95Gegbg1YvnappPO62xgbVhIrprLTafdrTQzjydtDmzL-huMYdmaI2LnGv_3UbXJsPANXFvWRVjs2xnX0IUrlWa2rPBQwftZl8-IfCpqtY3LhYXe7/s2720/12%20wing%20pad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="2720" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiathwcG4_TfsaM0-Iabn6uu_GS6DLPjLW00FCXqkrt_3EUaqGSrj9I1Q9HkBGKVidWaHCVRIAwqfe95Gegbg1YvnappPO62xgbVhIrprLTafdrTQzjydtDmzL-huMYdmaI2LnGv_3UbXJsPANXFvWRVjs2xnX0IUrlWa2rPBQwftZl8-IfCpqtY3LhYXe7/w400-h258/12%20wing%20pad.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">13.
Trim off any ‘legs’ to your liking keeping even on both sides</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAmibwDuVoYYqHgCQY3i9xH2SzEIOAKEUv32NDOhiKWUIZobOE3OLc65N6UhyCOdMpJqcf2VsiMt4QS4pu5r3vW8vXFwIzkIMpM54j3Os03cQzTRPME9HZR19qfikjr7mjIOkWyxIfIqnIMsUHNZul7PBoXpapD2E_Vlzff0l_376e3TsnTDJkgrF6PuO/s2901/14%20March%20Brown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="2901" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAmibwDuVoYYqHgCQY3i9xH2SzEIOAKEUv32NDOhiKWUIZobOE3OLc65N6UhyCOdMpJqcf2VsiMt4QS4pu5r3vW8vXFwIzkIMpM54j3Os03cQzTRPME9HZR19qfikjr7mjIOkWyxIfIqnIMsUHNZul7PBoXpapD2E_Vlzff0l_376e3TsnTDJkgrF6PuO/w400-h281/14%20March%20Brown.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whip
Finish and I add head cement to nymph head and wing pad</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx2vgR0Ii0ZZVU1KJHOydk8DP1DXLE7UOo9jIdbI2-3nBgBtSeJ5hzVVim8ahTJQ-HBpnwWCUD5rRjKNQToq5cUCHrF7rjm0G7mcfye2_qwdkC4Hzym8h6GZffTOvUfi5VVphR4_LS0VSFYpejHv5ehdMfwgpw-1gPSxT0tk8Pe5AZ2lqWgJeMgvldxko/s2038/15%20MB%20Nymph.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1651" data-original-width="2038" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx2vgR0Ii0ZZVU1KJHOydk8DP1DXLE7UOo9jIdbI2-3nBgBtSeJ5hzVVim8ahTJQ-HBpnwWCUD5rRjKNQToq5cUCHrF7rjm0G7mcfye2_qwdkC4Hzym8h6GZffTOvUfi5VVphR4_LS0VSFYpejHv5ehdMfwgpw-1gPSxT0tk8Pe5AZ2lqWgJeMgvldxko/w400-h324/15%20MB%20Nymph.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~Doubletaper <br /></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-10121376815513234492024-02-11T12:47:00.004-05:002024-02-11T12:47:59.092-05:00The Edge With a Bad Hand<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
Edge With a Bad Hand</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2/09/24</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnj82S5s-7ke1aEsjdsx0O80w4UJYioBZ4PMJ_o9YAfev1AYvbZ_4eORDI-z6Elz6MV1Pa8pxuk7sV1X60FO4u_aiJ3_4rXyDup98tLQUX1cutaH_dnqQBR6BOryarJU3JjsjJ9Rq-D-wOT-lkl82-Rmx9kCp2u-EE5VrGQihFNxNpC9Ym7ez3tRReNjF0/s3975/edge%20339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3975" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnj82S5s-7ke1aEsjdsx0O80w4UJYioBZ4PMJ_o9YAfev1AYvbZ_4eORDI-z6Elz6MV1Pa8pxuk7sV1X60FO4u_aiJ3_4rXyDup98tLQUX1cutaH_dnqQBR6BOryarJU3JjsjJ9Rq-D-wOT-lkl82-Rmx9kCp2u-EE5VrGQihFNxNpC9Ym7ez3tRReNjF0/w400-h238/edge%20339.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking
at the crick, from the bank, it had good color and not very deep off
the bank. Maybe 2 feet visibility to see the crick bottom in the knee
deep water. The deeper water was grayish green where nothing below is
visible. There were already fishermen nymph fishing the deeper
section behind the shop. There was enough room to slip between them
but why make them uncomfortable when the rest of the crick is
available without the tension? I stepped off the bank into the cold
flowing February water. I waded out into the faster water that flowed
and widened into the deeper section. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
I go on, this was only my second time out this year since the
beginning of December. I had pinched a nerve in my right arm that
left my ring finger, pinkie and that side of my palm numb on my right
hand. This also left the rest of my fingers and thumb with less
strength. Without going into detail I had all the tests done and
diagnosis and the results is that it may take 2-3 months to heal.
There is no drug or exercise that can hasten the healing process. I’m
right handed. It’s a weird feeling. 2 days ago I was out fishing,
since my misfortune, and found I can’t roll cast worth diddly squat
and my overhand casting is awkward and I can’t make any long effort
casts. I didn’t catch anything then but it was good to know what I
can do with a fly rod in my hand.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s
late morning and the sun is shining through the wintry gray clouds. I
was hoping for a lil stonefly hatch but it may be later in the day
once the water warms up a bit. I knotted on a Triple Threat streamer
and cautiously cast towards the far bank and let it drift down crick
in an arc. The third cast I felt a pulling tug and quickly set the
hook. My first fish was on. Not a big one but it felt good to catch a
fish within minutes of wetting a line. It was a nice eager brown
trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IWklUT3l5Ha32cMfNIBxQPv09SSqz3YeVjWMapR6o520g_aezmu9a_KraXq4oyo2LExhJ_b8O6gLKEVHILlQef6oSp1wInydtdpoKiXQY21_vyakyAR2ab6Tuc6Urfou3EhROZwfdzP-55u7EbqjYQ4JOeBPJk4JJPm3rIrpj_gNCDP2j0LyQPdtvSI9/s2120/edge%201138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2120" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IWklUT3l5Ha32cMfNIBxQPv09SSqz3YeVjWMapR6o520g_aezmu9a_KraXq4oyo2LExhJ_b8O6gLKEVHILlQef6oSp1wInydtdpoKiXQY21_vyakyAR2ab6Tuc6Urfou3EhROZwfdzP-55u7EbqjYQ4JOeBPJk4JJPm3rIrpj_gNCDP2j0LyQPdtvSI9/w400-h230/edge%201138.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> With
that, coming so quickly, I figured it was going to be a good fish
catching day all day. It was about 1130 but I didn’t get a take
until another hour and a half later. Hooking up to another brown
trout down stream on a Triple Threat. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu9IKnGjA0bifdZ1gtDcoc-XqLgh9q8eVxXaqxWKcFfIyyolBVAt6KGiFc-WrvzsEl34_OYAsYjqIKSEurD65bAtfEbqg0LOS_Rn5lC4DEh0uMtTz0z8SDfxpJSZ97lIpMFra485Ii0NesWQCi7TrmvoYU0OyaCWaV-OFp81QlU1PAZipnOFjju0VosgT/s2615/edge%20108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="2615" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu9IKnGjA0bifdZ1gtDcoc-XqLgh9q8eVxXaqxWKcFfIyyolBVAt6KGiFc-WrvzsEl34_OYAsYjqIKSEurD65bAtfEbqg0LOS_Rn5lC4DEh0uMtTz0z8SDfxpJSZ97lIpMFra485Ii0NesWQCi7TrmvoYU0OyaCWaV-OFp81QlU1PAZipnOFjju0VosgT/w400-h240/edge%20108.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
did try nymphing in between that hour and a half without a strike.
The other fishermen weren’t doing any better either. Only one guy
was catching a fish on occasion but they were suckers. I’m not sure
what he was using in this delayed harvest artificial lure only waters
but whatever it was the suckers liked it better than the trout. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that last brown it would take another 2 ½ hours before I got another
hook set but it was a doozy. In the mean time fishermen would come
and go like visitors in an art gallery. They would take time looking
at the scenery, get bored and moved to the next area with more
paintings. Finally get bored without any entertainment and leave. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
waded back into the faster water where I caught my first brown trout.
In those two and a half hours I got two short strikes that they
wouldn’t strike again. It was if my imitation looked enticing but
tasted like liver and they weren’t going back for a bigger bite. I
waded down, as I was casting the steamer, stopping across from a
calmer wavy current behind a hidden bolder beneath. This looked like
a good deeper holding spot, behind the bolder and under the riffles.
The sun was shining brightly and I noticed a few midges flying
around. There was a bigger fly, maybe a lil stonefly that would skirt
across the water but they were too far away to determine. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
nymph fishing earlier I was using an assortment of bead head
stoneflies, Zebra midges and other small nymphs that didn’t entice
any strikes. I decided to knot on a weighted, non bead, Kaufman stone
and above that a San Juan worm I tie with a bead. I lit a cigar and
figured on just enjoying the warm sunshine and not get too ambitious
about catching anything exciting.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHFUUyy6JIc63qHGjJ6VFoUTMVT-XdYe9M8FQiYeLTv1K6Nn78LGMxcZgceOH8OyhK-sJS3QH2e2AorcUth7Jcmzp9yLXa0PFh0vSS5wyUsG5ur6P6w98YukbPawR61mWDpA-_fKI4v6JB7c0rTuKHBYf0oYHHNeohpoU0D5spiZxfIp2cng4vzxzTmP6/s2782/edge%20149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHFUUyy6JIc63qHGjJ6VFoUTMVT-XdYe9M8FQiYeLTv1K6Nn78LGMxcZgceOH8OyhK-sJS3QH2e2AorcUth7Jcmzp9yLXa0PFh0vSS5wyUsG5ur6P6w98YukbPawR61mWDpA-_fKI4v6JB7c0rTuKHBYf0oYHHNeohpoU0D5spiZxfIp2cng4vzxzTmP6/w400-h300/edge%20149.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trout
are curious and I figured the bright red San Juan worm might attract
an onlooker and after refusing the worm maybe seeing the nymph and
taking it. It hadn’t rained in some time so I didn’t figure any
worms got washed into the crick so I figured the San Juan would be
more of attracting a fish rather than actually catching one on it. I
made a short overhand casts, or a sloppy roll casts upstream, mended
line, and let them dead drift under the wavy current. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
stonefly was weighted and with the bead on the San Juan I thought
would get my offering down to the crick bed for any lazy trout to
see. If it didn’t work I’d add more weight as needed. I wasn’t
using an indicator, float, bobber or what ever the term they use
these days. I just watch the tip of my floating fly line and any
unusual flow or dip I’d go for a hook set. About my forth drift
through the tip of my fly line dipped in front of me. I quickly
raised the rod, pulled in line to set the hook. Limp line shot up out
of the water and tightened and the 9’ 4 weight instantly bowed into
the mid section. There was a brief pause and then the line took off
out towards the far bank and then turned down crick with weighty
tugs. Line peeled off the tensioned spool and by the bend in the rod
and the grip in my hand to keep the rod up I knew I had a doozy.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
couldn’t hold the rod up steady with my right hand, being half
numb, so I had to switch the rod to my left hand for a stronger grip.
I’m glad I had my reel drag set half decent. Though I cast with my
right hand I also reel in with my right hand. Thus being the drag
knob is on the left side so I wasn’t able to adjust the tension. I
couldn’t hold, or play the trout with the fly line pinched between
my right finger and thumb because I didn’t have the strength to do
so. I had the trout coming towards me a few times but he took off
each time. With 4lb tippet on my 4 weight rod I didn’t want to
horse him in so I had to be patient and tire him out the best I
could. During the struggle he swirled water just below the surface so
I got to get an eyeball on the big rainbow before he took deep again.
With my net attached to my left side I knew I had to switch hands
again to net him. This meant I had to hold the rod high enough with
enough strength with a three finger grip in my right hand. I also had
to pinch the fly line against the cork handle with enough strength
not to let the fish take off, taking line, if he decides he doesn’t
want to be netted just yet. I thought all this out in my head. I knew
the longer it took to tire the trout the more likely I’d lose him.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I finally got the fish close enough to net I switched the rod to my
right hand and took out the net with my left. The trout took off like
a feral cat cornered in a back alley. Line slipped through my weak
pinching finger. I dropped the net and switched hands again to fight
the fish and reel him in with my right hand. Once close enough I
switched hands and was finally able to net the big trout. The Kaufman
stonefly was just piercing the outer layer of lip skin that could of
pulled out at any time. With my fingers I was able to dislodge the
hook with ease. After a quick picture I tilted the net in the water
and he left like an embarrassed shy young man getting rejected by a
cute girl for the next dance at the high school prom. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Any
experienced on looker was probably scratching their heads why I took
so long, switching hands so many times, to get the fish to the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnlxBIboSmKVJX1zfwmMeF5HE3rd-AVpYUOQUBl8RNhU9jtUjk8LjKPb0gfaXjiPhGDbacn8-WGY9V7nTYOOtmR_juNzDJLmzTlXKRQN1AzG0flk5b1JOPhdfxXiQOnOSARWEJxKLFDVCjA4_0CzBO-K4N3ERkbN4VgBJtLL33zWyqzONeDDMrVAMRewu/s3975/edge%20339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3975" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnlxBIboSmKVJX1zfwmMeF5HE3rd-AVpYUOQUBl8RNhU9jtUjk8LjKPb0gfaXjiPhGDbacn8-WGY9V7nTYOOtmR_juNzDJLmzTlXKRQN1AzG0flk5b1JOPhdfxXiQOnOSARWEJxKLFDVCjA4_0CzBO-K4N3ERkbN4VgBJtLL33zWyqzONeDDMrVAMRewu/w400-h238/edge%20339.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
looked at the time and it was 3:40. Normally I might have quit, being
out so long, but I was planning on leaving around 4 so a few more
minutes, and time really wasn’t a definite problem.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
checked my offerings and they still were in tact with no visual
problems. I made awkward casts and watched my fly line as before.
Within 5 minutes, according to my phone photos, my fly line curved
upstream and I set the hook. As before my line straightened and the
fish took off as the 9 footer bowed good into the midsection. I had
another biggie. Having just experience this I knew it was going to
take some time to get the big trout in but I didn’t have to think
this one out using my half numb hand.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
trout came up below the surface more often and maybe just to see who
faked him out with such an attractive imitation. This trout took the
San Juan worm as each time he appeared I saw it hanging half out of
his mouth. Though it appeared he had the same girt I think he was a
little longer as I had a harder time fitting him in the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZwwYmve32yCRYaraql5N0WeHd76KY5pY4Rhf2lOaLwQzUbm4nWkyA9oLmmETVz51pBy4Xvb9BfBnPdojGhJg_KMEJT54bAEBMYJ5XjXpmG5Lf0lRXzgXK10HWAI6PUSedlvSB_EbE_cGPMb2M7Cs7e7D3cG0EYnh5-ucpGZArf99DAWL4VXqOvaKaDTZ/s3838/edge%20356a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="3838" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZwwYmve32yCRYaraql5N0WeHd76KY5pY4Rhf2lOaLwQzUbm4nWkyA9oLmmETVz51pBy4Xvb9BfBnPdojGhJg_KMEJT54bAEBMYJ5XjXpmG5Lf0lRXzgXK10HWAI6PUSedlvSB_EbE_cGPMb2M7Cs7e7D3cG0EYnh5-ucpGZArf99DAWL4VXqOvaKaDTZ/w400-h231/edge%20356a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
took a little longer unhooking the San Juan from his inner lip but I
managed to yank it out OK. After a quick picture I was holding him up
out of the net to show the bank-side onlookers the big rainbow. When
I got it to the top of the brim the trout wiggled enough and I lost
my grip in my half numb hand. It slid off the rim of the net and into
the water. I guess it didn’t want to show it’s brawn physique to
the spectators, being it lost the fight, and just wanted to disappear
without anyone gawking at it! </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
took out my last stogie and lit it up under the sunlight. I continued
fishing the same pattern and hooked up two more times to smaller
fish. One I had on a short while before it came loose. The second one
spit the hook as soon as the line tightened. Spitting it out like a
sunflower seed husk after getting the kernel out of it.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On
the way home I smoked the stogie thinking about my accomplishment.
Last May I broke my custom made 9’ 4weight fast action fly rod
while casting a dry fly. The center section fibers split apart like a
bow string. The only thing I figured, about two weeks before that I
had caught a huge rainbow I fought and had a hard time bringing it up
from the bottom in knee deep water. The rod was bent good and that’s
when I think the weakness started. The motion of the overhand cast
evidently continued to weaken and the rod section finally splintered.
I looked around for another 9’ 4 weight 4 piece rod and I guess
it’s not a popular model. I found a sale on such a rod from Edge
Rod Company. That I understand they were designed/made under the
supervision of Gary Loomis. Knowing that, I figured they had to be
quality rods. That was the rod I was just using when I caught those
two big rainbows. Casting this rod and bringing in the catch was no
big problem, bad hand and all.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgmmEoYrBB2wKaEnnP3qnhm43mW9Jqug9fHlicaxwAZDHse3S9ukokW5Lesfn6DTBFwwJOQdlDmrez8Slgv5-1tRv_lL-6txyby5He4i3L9OLbpoyBNUfOE8YXYFjCRE2Abd0unQGDttrv_z2VnMP3U3pXjLB5sLCAi0EiEf3HPPG8vaFn-7vF5Zc70-J/s2706/edge%20rod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="2706" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgmmEoYrBB2wKaEnnP3qnhm43mW9Jqug9fHlicaxwAZDHse3S9ukokW5Lesfn6DTBFwwJOQdlDmrez8Slgv5-1tRv_lL-6txyby5He4i3L9OLbpoyBNUfOE8YXYFjCRE2Abd0unQGDttrv_z2VnMP3U3pXjLB5sLCAi0EiEf3HPPG8vaFn-7vF5Zc70-J/w400-h220/edge%20rod.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper <br /></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-65459002614035548642023-11-08T08:48:00.001-05:002023-11-08T09:40:38.422-05:00Good Friday<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Good
Friday</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11/03/23</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpxjDFyhxRr3mTiYjWHiM2TDf10LlfG9wEN8CkX83oF99LRscitX16Gp4iKv1r_3AIreHh6C2QZbwYVTGKgVyYJ51ZDaUvvfOn-b29GKwPZgizQREzVvfggLPwK8m3CEDpATE7nuASvU_G43xXgB3y2BnINGFW-OZmMxTcXurLBwqaPKEjydge6yMlnxu/s2722/GIR%201105.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="2434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpxjDFyhxRr3mTiYjWHiM2TDf10LlfG9wEN8CkX83oF99LRscitX16Gp4iKv1r_3AIreHh6C2QZbwYVTGKgVyYJ51ZDaUvvfOn-b29GKwPZgizQREzVvfggLPwK8m3CEDpATE7nuASvU_G43xXgB3y2BnINGFW-OZmMxTcXurLBwqaPKEjydge6yMlnxu/w358-h400/GIR%201105.JPG" width="358" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
parking area was full up with lines of vehicles when I arrived in the
morning. It was if I was late for early mass. I parked in the grass
giving way to any other late vehicles. I’ve fished this area
before, for steelhead, some years ago so I was sort of familiar. With
all the vehicles though I wasn’t sure I’d find a pew empty enough
not to be crowded shoulder to shoulder.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I got to the water I looked down creek where I had fished before. I
saw a few fishermen just before the bend that I knew flowed into a
deep hole. I looked upstream and there was only one fisherman pretty
far up, by himself, casting a fly line. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
water, between him and I, was flat water but the leaves upon the
surface showed there was some current flow. The section was wide
enough, and with the slightly tinted water, there might be some
steelhead that was somewhere in between him and I. I just had to find
them. Being I was late for mass I decided to walk up stream, towards
the fisherman, and fish my way to where I started. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
carefully crossed the creek in shallow to knee deep water, feeling
the cold water, to the path on the other side. As I walked the path
upstream I kept an eye on the water trying to spot any fish. Once up,
close enough to talk to the gentleman, I started my quest. I asked
him if he caught anything yet and he friendly replied no, the fish
weren’t biting. He mentioned ‘I should have been here yesterday.’
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
knotted on a Triple Threat streamer and proceeded to cast across
creek and let the streamer drift downstream. Not knowing how deep the
water was I’d add weight now and then. Slowly I waded down stream
casting my fly line. Now and then people would show up and walked
behind me or stop and fish here and there before the entrance to the
creek. I didn’t see any of them catch anything and they moved on.
About half way between the guy and the place I entered I got my first
strike. I felt the slightest tug on the line, like what you might
feel walking into a thin spider web, and I yanked back for the hook
set. The line straightened immediately and took off like a bat out of
hell, one might say. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
took off upstream peeling line off the spool. The fly line cut threw
the surface water like a Ginsu knife slicing threw a Big Jim Chili
pepper. I tightened the loose drag a couple of clicks trying to slow
him down. Upstream he came to the surface ferociously shaking his
head before going back under. The sound of the splashing was heard
far enough the guy upstream turned to see the commotion. The fish
kept his distance swimming down creek in a hurry. I was able to reel
in some of the slack line before getting the line tight towards him
again. We proceeded to battle it out one on one. A couple of times I
got him towards the bank before he broke me off and headed back to
safety. Oh well, the fight was real, and though I was going to
release him anyway, it would have been nice to land him.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
stuck around the area casting out trying to fool another. Down creek
I noticed a couple of fellows caught 2 steelhead not too far from
where we entered the creek. They had been there for a while. After
about 20 minutes they waded out and headed upstream. I was already
casting my way towards the spot but kind of hurried a little faster
to get there before anyone else. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
now the sun was showing through the overcast sky but the water was
still tinted enough not the expose the fish out further. The water
didn’t look too deep on the other side, along the far bank, but on
occasion I could spot a tail fin or two cutting the surface so I knew
they were out there. A far cast, with a Triple Threat, out from the bank didn’t take too
long of a drift to get a taker. The way the line took off it was if
the steelhead swiped it like a Barn Swallow swiping a bug out of
mid-air. He headed straight for the far bank and stopped abruptly,
raised its head out of the water trying to throw the hitched hook.
Not being successful, he sprinted upstream like the start of a race
with a gun shot. Not too far he shot completely out of the water,
forward, and his wet rainbow side glimmered in the sunshine. He
plopped into the water like a mushroom anchor being thrown overboard.
Once the rod sections bowed with a tightened line again he turned and
swam down creek. He gave a couple of head shakes, as if to check to
make sure I was still hanging on, as he swam. It took a while but I
finally got him calmed down enough to get him to the bank safely. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp2rb8X5VCpjxIaoMZujWaBCmjsX23TjuyBQLDMWw2tBv0Ew7hxjvSDNtuGD6Rqae1YTxlBkeuRb3xUqB-wakQT7LZMSmH1UncTsC-Q6sXs6yMR8BpDE2YbtKbz6o2r2WfXX8cZ-Qq9oVb_rMMAGgbTCm8j-UF-lf3GNGCw3ZROxPlbdYdKJMPlBqgUX5/s2782/GIR%201045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp2rb8X5VCpjxIaoMZujWaBCmjsX23TjuyBQLDMWw2tBv0Ew7hxjvSDNtuGD6Rqae1YTxlBkeuRb3xUqB-wakQT7LZMSmH1UncTsC-Q6sXs6yMR8BpDE2YbtKbz6o2r2WfXX8cZ-Qq9oVb_rMMAGgbTCm8j-UF-lf3GNGCw3ZROxPlbdYdKJMPlBqgUX5/w400-h300/GIR%201045.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
always feels good getting one to handle!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
wasn’t too soon after that I knew I had a fatty on. This one wasn’t
as quick and active as the other but its weighty body had the butt of
the fly rod in my gut trying to keep leverage on him. The rod bent
deep at times when he took off unexpectedly. He roamed around
outward, as if he was looking for help, to help get him loose. He
didn’t have any success with finding a friend to help im and I got
him in to handle also.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ezYxVXVCMYOiH8cYsa9dbisbWDI9ZeEIA7cby13pULwv58k_JI5eXtyUTjG9p23PmtkdQcHjRlyYMB6hBoVtEcMpts2idCgOVcR36FOxplCuAEdC5vbgD3aFl7Hw1Xi_A_5CAPQjB-p8cDn3-d1DcZP31FWEboojNSJJrGez9HxyFcJFr_psekpRhhUl/s2782/Gir1104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ezYxVXVCMYOiH8cYsa9dbisbWDI9ZeEIA7cby13pULwv58k_JI5eXtyUTjG9p23PmtkdQcHjRlyYMB6hBoVtEcMpts2idCgOVcR36FOxplCuAEdC5vbgD3aFl7Hw1Xi_A_5CAPQjB-p8cDn3-d1DcZP31FWEboojNSJJrGez9HxyFcJFr_psekpRhhUl/w400-h300/Gir1104.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Less
than 20 minutes I had a chromer showing off its skillful aerobatics
in mid air with more moves than a trapeze artist. Each time she
entered the sky she sparkled like being dressed in sequin under
circus spot lights! </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzc9LjtX4RhPN9EmJEFj7g253h6buBosbaIjxlCWMANNtwWn3ED3DOH5GKlFVGN77Sc7l_Yp6xQ1WldUjRJ85P-KthFUJFiRC-xpSiKITssjIkm22-ECIT6xQWIPBcTBjt2vdB7xHRTIVvLQdX-bmA0REF3k9DMzmxfZypSS3MMUz-fHP9Vdk96o0JQv8/s2602/GIR%201136.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1881" data-original-width="2602" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzc9LjtX4RhPN9EmJEFj7g253h6buBosbaIjxlCWMANNtwWn3ED3DOH5GKlFVGN77Sc7l_Yp6xQ1WldUjRJ85P-KthFUJFiRC-xpSiKITssjIkm22-ECIT6xQWIPBcTBjt2vdB7xHRTIVvLQdX-bmA0REF3k9DMzmxfZypSS3MMUz-fHP9Vdk96o0JQv8/w400-h289/GIR%201136.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
must have been at the right spot for feeding time.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
lost one somewhere out there after a hectic fight. I scored one more
to my hand before 1:00. It was if bells chimed and brunch was over. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjshzVQ0bfmg9PN8tkFGdsdGr_INUSzjkeDrKi-kcWalx2PbS3P8q4xv2-tro4ZpKeuarqbqCzlz9Rmw9yd-fHZijK45_lGDq0UXo8Hg-njPyqlk1nvY-Fy7ZQp5L5KaYgMWnA2W-2H_IfVC9g9b_GBiBbwcGbxNnrRXwI4a4LlvcW27c-mDaso_MzW1Fx/s4018/GIR%201222.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="4018" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjshzVQ0bfmg9PN8tkFGdsdGr_INUSzjkeDrKi-kcWalx2PbS3P8q4xv2-tro4ZpKeuarqbqCzlz9Rmw9yd-fHZijK45_lGDq0UXo8Hg-njPyqlk1nvY-Fy7ZQp5L5KaYgMWnA2W-2H_IfVC9g9b_GBiBbwcGbxNnrRXwI4a4LlvcW27c-mDaso_MzW1Fx/w400-h265/GIR%201222.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that things slowed down dramatically. I tried everything from sucker
spawn, Glo-bugs, wet flies and nymphs with only a quick tap or two I
couldn’t hook up too. The best I did was with streamers. Others I
talked to weren’t doing any better either. Most of the fellows
commented I should have been here yesterday. “The water was
cloudier and the fish were biting.” </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">About
3:30 I called it a day and headed back to the parking lot. The air
was getting chillier and the clouds moved in covering the sun. Along
with that the wind picked up and the abundance of falling and the
flow of leaves made it irritating trying to find water between them.
I’ve been out since 7:30 and the spurt of fun I had was fulfilling
enough I left on a good note like after singing the last hymn before
leaving church!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-33459353030482968702023-10-09T21:16:00.001-04:002023-10-09T21:16:36.253-04:00River Trout<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">River
Trout</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">10/05/2023</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvJaIPPmiCVlZOCQxVrf7EH3WniMUZ-Q1XKE35jhEyyK2wJ0IUtYzRsitiIsx_Sh2z4DK_BiZgB-e4nNYDTtjpzWoSj6gmsWuqRdRe24FBNif5xwFyuI9AW-JWYYCGEWaQj3d6NukNMe-jaoT3u6yfPb9SrYBgVh927dGFABn0hk6nwiHAOUtegita8E2/s2782/red%20sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvJaIPPmiCVlZOCQxVrf7EH3WniMUZ-Q1XKE35jhEyyK2wJ0IUtYzRsitiIsx_Sh2z4DK_BiZgB-e4nNYDTtjpzWoSj6gmsWuqRdRe24FBNif5xwFyuI9AW-JWYYCGEWaQj3d6NukNMe-jaoT3u6yfPb9SrYBgVh927dGFABn0hk6nwiHAOUtegita8E2/w400-h300/red%20sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It
was a beautiful morning outside the camper in the Allegheny National
Forest. The pale blue sky gave way to steaks of red. It was if, by a
painters stroke, brushed a crimson hue across the canvas. The Autumn
colors of tree leaves were turning. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzxew_5Y65VZlTo18OIx_VvpXPyLBXCnMzgSOnIH4SlrBpPtEhzztKVRfdSFcf6OBG76GehSR0nZAk2w3314EDwDTl5lIcPr_5wTLAXOlw6ZLcjIjsPoqlEWzLIoF-ZHXOPc_fqv7DdzWmTcJF-jkfjbNWm2RHYd6s6swc4xfxK3nZdHIQlLoI9WPQkJs/s2783/Red%20ski3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2783" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzxew_5Y65VZlTo18OIx_VvpXPyLBXCnMzgSOnIH4SlrBpPtEhzztKVRfdSFcf6OBG76GehSR0nZAk2w3314EDwDTl5lIcPr_5wTLAXOlw6ZLcjIjsPoqlEWzLIoF-ZHXOPc_fqv7DdzWmTcJF-jkfjbNWm2RHYd6s6swc4xfxK3nZdHIQlLoI9WPQkJs/w400-h300/Red%20ski3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Colorful
branchy leaves lined the river bank like colorful street streamers
for a parade. The weakest leaves lay upon the stony bank like
discarded confetti. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGWBFjjOPVU0-sVVPEVE3rwBSk_GRJXvwETSBf2xBfh-iUe8GzrYKM2g_oUi25KghH8DXBjn6NznXecuYzSuALkQMuJgCLW-MeVcuXieipKvDicjHAhJYQF8tw_EagqbcTbPPwl-UMq69Sr3_Kvv9cnqA_KtT_bHEKTI5TW9-tpPndHKYpp4xOozcsWls/s2782/Red%20sky2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGWBFjjOPVU0-sVVPEVE3rwBSk_GRJXvwETSBf2xBfh-iUe8GzrYKM2g_oUi25KghH8DXBjn6NznXecuYzSuALkQMuJgCLW-MeVcuXieipKvDicjHAhJYQF8tw_EagqbcTbPPwl-UMq69Sr3_Kvv9cnqA_KtT_bHEKTI5TW9-tpPndHKYpp4xOozcsWls/w400-h300/Red%20sky2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Squirrel
hunting wasn’t fruitful at all. The squirrels must have stayed in
their hollowed out trees. It was still pleasant to be out sitting
among the colorful forest. It was quiet and peaceful. A breeze would
blow across the tree tops now and then and lifeless crisp leaves
would fall from their branches, slipping off others along their
downfall, causing the slightest noise like stepping on a dropped
potato chip. Acorns fell from the oaks knocking on every limb they
would hit on their way to earth and land with a thud. Some would
bounce off of moss covered boulders, that were scattered around me,
like pin balls off of bumpers. Chipmunks hurried along, stopping
briefly, with mouths full. Some being chased by others causing a
noisy ruffle as they scampered about. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fishing
was slow but yielded a few trout. By the time I got out to fish,
around noon, the sun was up full ablaze like an Arizona sun over an
Arizona desert. It wasn’t long before I felt the sweat on my
forehead under my wide brim straw hat. Every so often a welcomed warm
breeze blew through me slightly cooling me from the hot sun rays.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was geared up, with my 6 weight fly rod, ready to hook into some
river smallmouth bass. I waded down to the riffling water casting
aimlessly with a Woolly Bugger. The water, ¾ the way across, looked
somewhat deeper and I made a long cast. I thought I snagged a rock,
just after it fell, as the fly line barely arced with the cross
current. I twitched the rod back high trying to free the hook when it
violently yanked back. The fish stayed low fighting it’s way
against me as I played it towards me. It was to frisky to be a
smallmouth and when I netted it I was right. A nice brown trout laid
in my net. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB0iJ4D-hXzNpiqhijTGWGfdFmrWIL1zftCMM9sHt4qvWFPsrkhkbc50owhR3j4euHyoBPHY9BLX6W1zHhBAH3hZC0b1uY5FQlctEq0kDBVrIySTQjvLTW8iH1_-5iaN4fSEYmVEUmD6Nvf2CbSjNf3_AmhzXLyesH4cXqHD4BeEP91KADd8yCesW9R8i/s3125/Troot%201125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2545" data-original-width="3125" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB0iJ4D-hXzNpiqhijTGWGfdFmrWIL1zftCMM9sHt4qvWFPsrkhkbc50owhR3j4euHyoBPHY9BLX6W1zHhBAH3hZC0b1uY5FQlctEq0kDBVrIySTQjvLTW8iH1_-5iaN4fSEYmVEUmD6Nvf2CbSjNf3_AmhzXLyesH4cXqHD4BeEP91KADd8yCesW9R8i/w400-h326/Troot%201125.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It
was no doubt a stocked trout, for lack of color, from years back that
found its way to the river from the stocked mountain creeks. By its
sandstone color belly I’m sure it has lived in the river for
sometime!</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Casting
out freely, as I slowly waded the riffles, I caught another. It
fought just like the other so I knew it wasn’t a smallmouth either.
It was almost identical to the first brown trout I caught and just as
frisky.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lW83rspqkVjBvY3rgrQlVwxzlaKVUxvHCmiWrEV8CuNgqXjRO00nQ0tK1bdY1ahjF30oWc7bVAYdDyWXG_qcbdmZMI5DLYtIHG1KbraeLu0Yjz72_uYO9BjMW9xGRmN6Yhh9FInT-0ydW9HzgUFbFqeKrth_gJJvc2uOl_BA4AfLAuagMY79NbkttrPJ/s2875/troot%201137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="2875" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lW83rspqkVjBvY3rgrQlVwxzlaKVUxvHCmiWrEV8CuNgqXjRO00nQ0tK1bdY1ahjF30oWc7bVAYdDyWXG_qcbdmZMI5DLYtIHG1KbraeLu0Yjz72_uYO9BjMW9xGRmN6Yhh9FInT-0ydW9HzgUFbFqeKrth_gJJvc2uOl_BA4AfLAuagMY79NbkttrPJ/w400-h369/troot%201137.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the next hour or so I continued casting streamers and poppers without
any noticeable strikes as I headed downriver. At times I would aim
for drifting leaves testing my accuracy. If it wasn’t for the
stogie I held between my teeth it wouldn’t have been as enjoyable.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
waded back up to the truck but it was too early to quit. I drove
downriver to test my fishing skills in another area I haven’t
fished for some time. I caught more trout than bass there, but it
wasn’t that far from the parking area and I wasn’t planning on
wading downriver anyway.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Knee
deep I was casting a Woolly Bugger, while smoking a cigar, up into
the wavy white water caused by a row of rocks and boulders strewn the
width of the river. I thought I had one bump upstream but maybe it
was just my imagination. I made short to long casts across river
letting the bugger swing in an arc downriver for some time without a
strike. For the heck of it I decided to knot on a nymph. Casting up
into the wavy current, with the rod extended out following the
leader. All of a sudden the leader curved up into the riffles. It
could have been a snag but I lifted the rod for a hook set. Sure
enough the line straightened and a frisky brown trout scurried about
all the way to the net. Not a big one by any means but a trout no
less.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y1Oz0G8h93Auhn-_x16PJq0aKJdsXPknlHUWnuTzDx_PTU15aLxMXxZU0r6k437MnUj7QanHh_hfyjk8QXU88q40fCjiKhu2B3U-lJmpqrS-LZdXOm2zyUDTEu2gzSU1V_yYHNPk_xEzGLvw0b1i135sZh0dQccDAejagucirIdoFyVeC6HFaCRxPaOe/s2303/troot%20154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="2303" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y1Oz0G8h93Auhn-_x16PJq0aKJdsXPknlHUWnuTzDx_PTU15aLxMXxZU0r6k437MnUj7QanHh_hfyjk8QXU88q40fCjiKhu2B3U-lJmpqrS-LZdXOm2zyUDTEu2gzSU1V_yYHNPk_xEzGLvw0b1i135sZh0dQccDAejagucirIdoFyVeC6HFaCRxPaOe/w400-h348/troot%20154.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another
½ hour trying to hook another was just time ticking away. I headed
back to the truck under the hot sun thinking about a frozen margarita
waiting for me back at the camper. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
could have driven and fished for freshly stocked trout in a delayed
harvest area not too far away. I might have caught some of them trout
and even more than I did in the river but I’m sure it wouldn’t
have been as pleasant.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBS4DNwKXxcwKbTZh4cOZ3oYxvHR9vYNDPYxI7a2xI6lP616Sg-ZCmBdSK4Njf8aoB-yPK88eDfPSSwhRY59zLAFBR6UjBmO-6cqrwiWW4Rh8Oy-Q44f8C974S_MyWKU5-9QccTBdFkJ5uH6L2VB2mBePChWdSx4grMsRFocO4bH5q3mPG_C5bWBzOYEW/s2782/cigar%20155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBS4DNwKXxcwKbTZh4cOZ3oYxvHR9vYNDPYxI7a2xI6lP616Sg-ZCmBdSK4Njf8aoB-yPK88eDfPSSwhRY59zLAFBR6UjBmO-6cqrwiWW4Rh8Oy-Q44f8C974S_MyWKU5-9QccTBdFkJ5uH6L2VB2mBePChWdSx4grMsRFocO4bH5q3mPG_C5bWBzOYEW/w400-h300/cigar%20155.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> ~doubletaper</span></span><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span>
</p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-53113530674238017242023-07-02T14:41:00.002-04:002023-07-02T14:47:00.582-04:00Morning Surprise<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Morning
Surprise</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">6/30/2023</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp7omud--ymA0JLXw34ocF7hSwjbV4RpHzUJn9DZ9BhL5oPQk4BqEtDTwEPn09pVi_c_KP-6ya0JGSGJBwcdN2wWgas5AwXNI_vlUDM5yR5k-5lSCQu230CcAlb_rShW3sc2qQj0FDfaab59hVpNMULGNbvkSeTjXNWNECQV-rho0R7Qdc3UlxNRs7kLz/s2621/MS%20bass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp7omud--ymA0JLXw34ocF7hSwjbV4RpHzUJn9DZ9BhL5oPQk4BqEtDTwEPn09pVi_c_KP-6ya0JGSGJBwcdN2wWgas5AwXNI_vlUDM5yR5k-5lSCQu230CcAlb_rShW3sc2qQj0FDfaab59hVpNMULGNbvkSeTjXNWNECQV-rho0R7Qdc3UlxNRs7kLz/w300-h400/MS%20bass.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wade upon the stony creek bed, ankle deep, of Tionesta Creek. The
only way to find trout, on these hot days, is to start out early
before the heat of the day arrives. The trout will be in the riffling,
tumbling water where it’s cooler and more oxygenated or in the
shade along the banks.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While
wading down creek, to where I want to fish, I look around at nature
and the hard woods of the ANF. The abundance of green that crowds the
creek banks is of more greenish hues than one can imagine. Green
leaves of Oaks, Maples, Beech and Birch trees, among other trees,
flutter with the slight breeze at times. Even the Hemlocks and pines
appear greener than their olive colors during the colder months.
Looking down creek misty vapors, in a haze, linger over the water
where the hot sun hits the open cool creek.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
sounds of warblers, warble within the forest like a bunch of high
pitched women at a social gathering. In the not to far distance a
crow caws out as if in frustration, like an old raspy woman calling
out for her husband and children to come in for breakfast while it’s
hot.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
settled in shin deep water I cast out a Woolly Bugger in water that
doesn’t appear to be any deeper than knee high. A fish pulls line
and I set the hook. Fighting it in the riffling current makes him
feel stronger than he actually would be in calmer water. He shoots up
creek in shallower riffles and then turns down creek with the
current. The rod tip bows with the tightened line and leader that
follows the fish. I hold the fly line between my fingers feeling
every sudden turn and head shake of the frisky fish. Easily I play
him and net the trout.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> “<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
that didn’t take too long,”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> While
casting out for another a trout rises within the riffles. I waste no
time snipping off the bugger and knotting on a dry caddis. The splash
is no more than 3 rod lengths away. I make a soft cast upstream and
watch the caddis bob up and down on the small waves. My second cast
is a little further out. Within the trouts sight he rises with a
splash not wanting the caddis to pass him by. A quick wrist and pull
of the slack line and my second trout is scurrying about like a
scared chipmunk looking for cover. I get the trout turned towards me
and scoop him up in the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNh4OhQARBdDReXXAbt8TLXPhqmJ9iZVj2MIqtv72o1zY4a8GAMvzvwRe9JdUR5vc3smW9vSZeEgLHIk5ftlKaxEKbp2HXPq9VLdtQmIxNILvDMohJSkR624MQtwLvdEfkobButoyIEAS4O6AfALFBINzkZHixM5KGQGybe4NdwL6yNM_Ss8s1yAseZuNw/s3751/TioMS%20832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="3751" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNh4OhQARBdDReXXAbt8TLXPhqmJ9iZVj2MIqtv72o1zY4a8GAMvzvwRe9JdUR5vc3smW9vSZeEgLHIk5ftlKaxEKbp2HXPq9VLdtQmIxNILvDMohJSkR624MQtwLvdEfkobButoyIEAS4O6AfALFBINzkZHixM5KGQGybe4NdwL6yNM_Ss8s1yAseZuNw/w400-h217/TioMS%20832.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While
trying to fool another I notice the shade on the water, from the
hillside trees, slowly moving towards the bank as the sun rises
higher. The humidity increases also and I’m thankful for the slight
cool breeze that touches my face from the rising mist of the cooler
water. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
takes time but I make another rise, hook him, and net a smaller brown
trout. The humidity increases with the rising morning sun as I feel a
bead of sweat drip down my spine. It is still early and there is
still shade and deeper water along the far bank. I knot on the Woolly
Bugger and cast it towards the far bank. The slow current carries my
bugger down creek. One cast my bugger plops within two feet of a big
exposed boulder that’s anchored in the bank side dirt. I notice my
fly line doesn’t drift to far before the line curves upstream
towards the boulder as if snagged. I lift the rod and the line slowly
starts to move up creek along the bank. I quickly grip the cork
tighter and yank back the long length of line. The line tightens and
the rod sections arc towards the bank. I watch the leader slice
through the surface upstream. Line peels off the reel spool as I hold
the rod at an angle towards the fleeing fish. My grip tightens and I
move the rod butt into my gut for leverage. All of a sudden a
smallmouth bass explodes out of the water. He rises, full body, into
the air twisting and wavering his body like a wind sock in a swirling
wind storm. He plops back into the water in belly smacking fashion
and takes off upstream. I try and keep the rod skyward to cut down
the resistance of the fly line as it cuts through the water surface. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Upstream
the big guy turns and swims with the current down creek. I’m able
to reel in some line as he passes between the boulder and me.
Continuing down creek I can’t hold him from swimming any further as
the rod sections bend deeply. I leave go of the reel handle and let
him strip line off the tensioned spool drag.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
times I get him closer but he has enough strength to pull away taking
line with him. As much as I want to get him in the net quickly I’m
powerless against his strength against the 5 weight rod and 4x tippet
to horse him in. We tug against each other like two strong men trying
to get the other across the defining winning line. Eventually the
strength of my fly rod and my patience wins out and I net the nice
size smallmouth! </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
a morning surprise.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoiCoimb3GPETkvt6dEFqUnV8fGJNO8yroqNd93js2LMxoSQKah3s4EtKvcud9qxXMTKZZ1Ulopuo3LBfNQcHCF7kFZcWVxN1NYYEVN4k9Bvf-FXrohhpYM1BuiA-wDE7Q0EFpuuh3CKAJWcetjHPWaehApjMrKcekDQGEmYi20_xCKDSbGS7OSB3I2pW/s2621/TioMS%20928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoiCoimb3GPETkvt6dEFqUnV8fGJNO8yroqNd93js2LMxoSQKah3s4EtKvcud9qxXMTKZZ1Ulopuo3LBfNQcHCF7kFZcWVxN1NYYEVN4k9Bvf-FXrohhpYM1BuiA-wDE7Q0EFpuuh3CKAJWcetjHPWaehApjMrKcekDQGEmYi20_xCKDSbGS7OSB3I2pW/w400-h300/TioMS%20928.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Well,
though it’s only 9:30 that deserves a cigar. I take a H. Upmann
fuma from my pocket and cup my hands away from the slight breeze.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75IfqVJ9iUW2LDizYep6k_JI9yC6gQkHsAC9oDd5ayeKMVE61ymGXZI0veVA1QzUBMoBTNyzKLydNYV4Hy9Ajrh8eAHO1BUHm0PtS0-N0pFL4rz_4XJNOyi2h1UH90jr9hxiHB9ZGzevosnLegGPtPNRpX-rDOLwHkeBxTBhukxN6YqYo8HRdtry92QrX/s2621/MS%20cigar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75IfqVJ9iUW2LDizYep6k_JI9yC6gQkHsAC9oDd5ayeKMVE61ymGXZI0veVA1QzUBMoBTNyzKLydNYV4Hy9Ajrh8eAHO1BUHm0PtS0-N0pFL4rz_4XJNOyi2h1UH90jr9hxiHB9ZGzevosnLegGPtPNRpX-rDOLwHkeBxTBhukxN6YqYo8HRdtry92QrX/w400-h300/MS%20cigar.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the next half hour I nymph fish the riffles and catch a small brown
trout on a wet fly. I fish a bugger also but noting wants to sample
it. I hear a fish splash upstream and turn my head quickly to see an
expanding swirl. I knot on the caddis again and wade into position to
get a good cast to the vicinity. I cast out and let the caddis drift
into a calm within the riffles. A fish splashes on my offering and
I’m quick with the hook set. The fish strongly fights and battles
in the current trying to get free. I get him nearer enough and net a
nice speckled brown trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6tqoc4t6fL7Znt_MEp-cD5OpzMz34sIeZYfEKh-hBUORBDGNgZAUNH4qR90z2p1tuUwtQm50W8AB5MObRqgaxrXuO50Hhl4117cCuUEkF0aYPJ34iBbWHL5Fuw_qouZuXLzQ5AJVrkG29mDcly5Cr5KJdX1DPAzIrMjLnT9PsaqMRcVenXWwhNJGTTo/s3550/TioMS%201035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3550" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6tqoc4t6fL7Znt_MEp-cD5OpzMz34sIeZYfEKh-hBUORBDGNgZAUNH4qR90z2p1tuUwtQm50W8AB5MObRqgaxrXuO50Hhl4117cCuUEkF0aYPJ34iBbWHL5Fuw_qouZuXLzQ5AJVrkG29mDcly5Cr5KJdX1DPAzIrMjLnT9PsaqMRcVenXWwhNJGTTo/w400-h221/TioMS%201035.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the next hour I try to coax another but the activity shuts off like
lights on a vacant, time restricted, park playground.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
sun is in full view above as if in a painting of a farm scene. The
painting has a bright sun depicting a glow in a blush blue sky, minus
the rooster and weather vane. My Columbia PFG shirt is wet with sweat
from the humidity and not from any action. There isn’t a breeze to
be thankful for and without cooperative fish, I start to wade
upstream and call it quits.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-12328894290336108002023-06-21T07:06:00.000-04:002023-06-21T07:06:37.284-04:00Getting the Edge<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Getting
the Edge</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">6/20/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfno_6kVvDJrd79w9VQF6XpnsfP761XWf54TVQ_-46e8Nctl0Lp3-5XfG9D7eVUcpAC9f9nVzCe0dtgzK5HzvffRt1qHxNh3L8S2zcq0B94gVU87qAArcMLmF6jIppAcE4sWeufk07L73v9LXNse41OSsnYkAOO8uyxEvfK93IHUpq5McJE02XtNYWFY2/s2621/Edge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfno_6kVvDJrd79w9VQF6XpnsfP761XWf54TVQ_-46e8Nctl0Lp3-5XfG9D7eVUcpAC9f9nVzCe0dtgzK5HzvffRt1qHxNh3L8S2zcq0B94gVU87qAArcMLmF6jIppAcE4sWeufk07L73v9LXNse41OSsnYkAOO8uyxEvfK93IHUpq5McJE02XtNYWFY2/w400-h300/Edge1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Having
worn out my custom 4wt 9’ fast action fly rod I was in need of
another. It evidently isn’t a common weight for the length. I like
a fast action 4 weight to help cut the wind when dry fly fishing and
at 9’ can help with nymph fishing over riffling cross current
waters. In my search I found two rods within my budget. Actually this
one was less money than I expected and being it is a Gary Loomis
American made, I was up for trying it out.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m
not all concerned with fancy, sparkling rod blanks and this comes
with an un-sanded matte finish blank. The blue thread wraps accent
the rod nicely. The fanciest part of the rod is the rod seat. The
Flor Grade, Western Style, Portugal cork grip fits nicely in my palm.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZQcNUieJrV9wqNyChXSc1_qUAIwG-wyEf7TQ5ZMOi5IZfOuzavqS5ZoZdTcJ8hDA92erp2_PWB2K_-GvC4wg3CQ7BXyS2vlagaMBRhwwzJ6-pOi0iM5ZbDBzDiphIQMmVo61Yyd6Nae5SfCtBp255F4mi6y-weTHeVXOY-9rz056uoHaiWSIZBIG2lIo/s2621/Edge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZQcNUieJrV9wqNyChXSc1_qUAIwG-wyEf7TQ5ZMOi5IZfOuzavqS5ZoZdTcJ8hDA92erp2_PWB2K_-GvC4wg3CQ7BXyS2vlagaMBRhwwzJ6-pOi0iM5ZbDBzDiphIQMmVo61Yyd6Nae5SfCtBp255F4mi6y-weTHeVXOY-9rz056uoHaiWSIZBIG2lIo/w400-h300/Edge2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
took it out briefly on the first trip casting nymphs and light
weighted Woolly Buggers but only caught 2 trout. The most important
reason buying this rod was for dry fly fishing.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
second outing I was fishing the upper West Branch of the Susquehanna
River known for wild brown trout in a special regulation trout
fishery. I started fishing the slightly stained chalky water
with nymphs but that soon changed when I saw the first rise of a
fish. I knotted on a small caddis and was going to test the rod dry
fly fishing. There was a slight breeze with gusts now and then.
The stream was narrow and low at the time but with the stained water I
had the edge with the trout not able to notice me. I was casting
easily upstream and also across stream and the rod had no problem
getting my dry where I wanted. Not used to the quick response of wild
trout it took me three misses before I was able to hook set my first
trout on a dry fly with this rod.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNy244dvNFPbQC5OINnpHwdXISMNoAzfUfdaC3rMrkMZY0yV9KZszTMTs1gVq70hiKRPKqw-avvu_zbwGicSdHiHxKZ6fYQjJsncqHnx6HZTWbqwLPdmwFVOHedkikZ3EVde_Vv0G1A_LJ803mGQ_K5czXlf1IMH5pZ5pl4tRcqZSANEfG2HUp48_eYoC/s3448/West%20Br%201125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="3448" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNy244dvNFPbQC5OINnpHwdXISMNoAzfUfdaC3rMrkMZY0yV9KZszTMTs1gVq70hiKRPKqw-avvu_zbwGicSdHiHxKZ6fYQjJsncqHnx6HZTWbqwLPdmwFVOHedkikZ3EVde_Vv0G1A_LJ803mGQ_K5czXlf1IMH5pZ5pl4tRcqZSANEfG2HUp48_eYoC/w400-h204/West%20Br%201125.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
was upset that I forgot my net so I did handle the trout with care. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Overall
I had a good day for a few hours catching wild trout on the dry. They
came up quick taking the caddis on the moving surface water. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2MCdxUdH-adwgX_kJSm0omp9iJ4z7tLqGC2ZCjDSx4pkjzryyX0JGnYyasM6N9e7y0OyOMECv43a2hF4J2T9CwRYkbFMu8yYIjudybKTG7x6_bd98zO_JUrM-KyAthMzXnzypMpPW5DRcuOwz4DZBmtcNCKH6T-pQRqN0o2uzS-k8SEGD5lIn2iVvBwh/s2871/West%20Br%201142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="2871" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2MCdxUdH-adwgX_kJSm0omp9iJ4z7tLqGC2ZCjDSx4pkjzryyX0JGnYyasM6N9e7y0OyOMECv43a2hF4J2T9CwRYkbFMu8yYIjudybKTG7x6_bd98zO_JUrM-KyAthMzXnzypMpPW5DRcuOwz4DZBmtcNCKH6T-pQRqN0o2uzS-k8SEGD5lIn2iVvBwh/w400-h356/West%20Br%201142.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
was amazed how many trout I got active in the small stream making
them rise when there was barely anything on the water. They were
hungry no doubt and, which I have done many times before, made them
rise!!!</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHt4Tjade9PsiQCaZoOuR38qRX7TcR1GKQUsO6jVjnvT93D2cdNoPNZRJq4BU6wwrLEHypg3JT1GHy7tgaGdv_VYcnmNxqfmgEuQhTj70EC8_b8FOPiIvGBMxBPkXMiIG-zeXsA7-A9WeQphRh9b2vwjDBEtNEMXs861riR6U4l1dN91usEcRaGRmWlbt/s2621/West%20Br%20119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHt4Tjade9PsiQCaZoOuR38qRX7TcR1GKQUsO6jVjnvT93D2cdNoPNZRJq4BU6wwrLEHypg3JT1GHy7tgaGdv_VYcnmNxqfmgEuQhTj70EC8_b8FOPiIvGBMxBPkXMiIG-zeXsA7-A9WeQphRh9b2vwjDBEtNEMXs861riR6U4l1dN91usEcRaGRmWlbt/w300-h400/West%20Br%20119.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
lightness of the rod in hand and fast action was what I was looking
for! It handled the 6x tippet and small caddis dries I was using and
had no problem playing the wild trout.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ViBk9a4UknTUEYHCZUiB9YYZq6MdEwHnthcohfYulO9b2FS7hfFcuZHJx0JpBcd0RP88MQci_l1EJHOsEaISRapA6FDBrCOEDyfGEtZM0ygKAj-Fry6vCUhoRentGFZiPA-n6HBp_INjvNFUFVdJuz7t_iEVFvf33zrqxaNw7rV5E8tHwQlyY2TMUXrZ/s2621/West%20Br%20126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ViBk9a4UknTUEYHCZUiB9YYZq6MdEwHnthcohfYulO9b2FS7hfFcuZHJx0JpBcd0RP88MQci_l1EJHOsEaISRapA6FDBrCOEDyfGEtZM0ygKAj-Fry6vCUhoRentGFZiPA-n6HBp_INjvNFUFVdJuz7t_iEVFvf33zrqxaNw7rV5E8tHwQlyY2TMUXrZ/w300-h400/West%20Br%20126.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoZbhWeKrpOHIAKPddhaodPh6_W0YFtGJgsme3HlTkd_NFQA8gC7yJGXXj7TIFC4kyE3z2_9Lh_nhdDyTv-2Aw-WB3aYF_EVmXocPvXCozb_L07JCDOkThyLG3qLlPpFQtSUNGywGefmcf7WBIIxOMq4H5Gr0QYo3Wcwi4MrOUYrY8f2_okyDZez3tM1m/s2304/edge%20rod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoZbhWeKrpOHIAKPddhaodPh6_W0YFtGJgsme3HlTkd_NFQA8gC7yJGXXj7TIFC4kyE3z2_9Lh_nhdDyTv-2Aw-WB3aYF_EVmXocPvXCozb_L07JCDOkThyLG3qLlPpFQtSUNGywGefmcf7WBIIxOMq4H5Gr0QYo3Wcwi4MrOUYrY8f2_okyDZez3tM1m/w400-h300/edge%20rod.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-85800595727445509332023-06-16T09:23:00.000-04:002023-06-16T09:23:01.250-04:00Sickly on the River<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sickly
on the River</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">6/09/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TWzbU-L3ZvfsI0Fx8v-VDo9OqgSe6s_0z9Q_uF8H-52Y1ryCOmzBZqV1Wsmu13ttJAJzSNAvr9CeA_U8FIXnXxRe5uLFxLvxGLdv9-a3Cyq-wji_GSRIF36tYUawuawbZIcelr6rzPARunDzLyPDoWO4uymtYan1jmFRivxIrBU31NnFWiC9IUHFPQ/s1582/CR105B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1582" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TWzbU-L3ZvfsI0Fx8v-VDo9OqgSe6s_0z9Q_uF8H-52Y1ryCOmzBZqV1Wsmu13ttJAJzSNAvr9CeA_U8FIXnXxRe5uLFxLvxGLdv9-a3Cyq-wji_GSRIF36tYUawuawbZIcelr6rzPARunDzLyPDoWO4uymtYan1jmFRivxIrBU31NnFWiC9IUHFPQ/w400-h346/CR105B.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Snot
was running down upon my mustache like excessive Elmer’s glue on a
kids art project. I could hardly taste the stogie I was puffing on. I
wasn’t feeling well and hacking and coughing now and then. The sun
finally rose above the tree line and fish started to rise
everywhere!!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the past week or so I developed a congested hacking cough, sore
throat, and went threw 5 boxes of Kleenex and a ½ roll of ultra soft
toilet paper when I ran out of tissues. I went to the Urgent Care
center after 5 days and was diagnosed with Bronchitis. I was
prescribed Prednisone, 2 tablets for the next 5 days and an inhaler.
I got tired of sitting home feeling sorry for myself and decided to
get out and get some fresh air camping in the ANF.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
used up a lot of energy setting up camp near the Clarion River and
after doing variety puzzles and what not resting I got up enough
energy to go fishing the river two days later. I didn’t know how
long I’d last but I was going to give it a try.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was set to fish for smallmouth bass with my 6 weight fly rod. I had
my vest full of poppers and streamers standing up to my waist in
river water. My brain was still a little hazy from being sick but I
was casting out a Woolly Bugger under the morning sunshine trying to
enjoy a cigar with a scratchy throat. All of a sudden Sulfurs, March
Browns and other yellow Mayflies were popping up out of the water and
fish were rising everywhere. I looked in my only dry fly box I had on
me and found a #12 Yellow Wulff pattern. I added some 4x tippet to my
tapered leader and waited for the next rise within distance. A fish
rose and I concentrated on the location. My Wulff pattern fell within
15” of the rise and I watched it drift inching its way in the zone.
A fish rose and in an audible gulp sucked it in. I yielded back the
rod and my first fish was heavy and fighting a taught line. I got it
near me and saw it was a nice size brown trout. I hadn’t a net,
being I didn’t expect to catch trout, and the brown finally got
unhooked before I could get a hold of it. I laid my fly rod on a
flattened boulder, waded out of the river and walked up to my truck
in excitement!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
looked through my fly boxes quickly and took out any yellow dry fly
pattern I could quickly find. I put them in a fly box and went back
to the river. I dried off the Wulff Pattern and tossed it out to the
rising trout. I caught a couple of smaller trout before another nice
brown trout took a 1x long Sulfur pattern. He put up a good fighting
battle in the undercurrent with head shakes and body power that I had
to give him line at times. This time I had a net to capture the nice
healthy looking brown trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR6iKRHlx3W6wRfclELAJybFhPRfy1LmHMkBkGOpBMRpi4A8yJOxsIgqVLoDwR6ypEZd2CYcbf6uv32WGVxRudIX-HLsjQsMYqPCqg4Sty9fDVQePGZiwXjrcq2EaJ5Q1R55CRZidD1I3Cwicjaz7BwAIAHUsVli6MvZQb5wEYZLj0x1gfK0sc6HuLg/s2621/CR1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR6iKRHlx3W6wRfclELAJybFhPRfy1LmHMkBkGOpBMRpi4A8yJOxsIgqVLoDwR6ypEZd2CYcbf6uv32WGVxRudIX-HLsjQsMYqPCqg4Sty9fDVQePGZiwXjrcq2EaJ5Q1R55CRZidD1I3Cwicjaz7BwAIAHUsVli6MvZQb5wEYZLj0x1gfK0sc6HuLg/w400-h300/CR1105.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was changing patterns often when I couldn’t get a fish to rise to
my offering. Aside from offering them a March Brown on occasion I
stuck with anything yellow from a sulfur, yellow Wulff, even a Yellow
Sally at times. I caught a few rainbows in the mix of smaller browns
and a few smallmouth also.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwK_kM8pHaqrYwRxX0k3BtN1D-COUwdsCO5v1GsEZsmL4oJT6Nga8H09hJ-C8_vf5bXsChnEu_4V-UsB8p1CChBLs1aiO_avhbFtdAykdl0iRP3ijMuJScgTgGzjbL9NOs6rld900mZp27VA5-ZIPeCx_mecncKrEckYDozagVzobDvHhvHMXOFlRZg/s3745/CR1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2371" data-original-width="3745" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwK_kM8pHaqrYwRxX0k3BtN1D-COUwdsCO5v1GsEZsmL4oJT6Nga8H09hJ-C8_vf5bXsChnEu_4V-UsB8p1CChBLs1aiO_avhbFtdAykdl0iRP3ijMuJScgTgGzjbL9NOs6rld900mZp27VA5-ZIPeCx_mecncKrEckYDozagVzobDvHhvHMXOFlRZg/w400-h254/CR1259.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
were yellow Mayflies that looked as big as Yellow Drakes that fell
upon the water and fluttered on the surface before taking flight
again. They were easy to see and the fish gulped them up if they got
within the fishes sight. I knotted on a 2x long Yellow Drake and
tossed it out under the warm sunshine. I had lots of slack line out
and let it drift, drag free, down river for quite a ways. A fish rose
in a whirlpool splash and I yielded back the rod and took in any
remaining slack line left on the surface. The line tightened and I
had a fish battling beneath with body strong power. It kept it’s
distance as it circled the river, out in front of me, like a mad bull
in a bullring. I kept a tight grip on the half well and my forearm
muscles were as tight as guy wires. I had him close a couple times
that I could see it wasn’t a trout as it turned it’s body across
the current pulling tension line against the reel drag. Tired enough
I finally got him close enough to net. This big ole boy didn’t mind
snacking on mayflies while they were available.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgHrM22y632IZ7xW6gVjl2-Mdlv2gEV2QgRGb38LcoYGXB1q39_R5Yxf99dT3V_5ldVi0QuvJnQvH3SNUSepyq0yrk7mQhCCxjGBerV_JyYcUSzyADfyM3SGeP9YKW6zjA9WXVyfb4WmZyiSSH7fhIKnTF-meaZIdA2Lw3F_P-aMbN46Xj7_ixUUwSA/s4012/CR105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="4012" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgHrM22y632IZ7xW6gVjl2-Mdlv2gEV2QgRGb38LcoYGXB1q39_R5Yxf99dT3V_5ldVi0QuvJnQvH3SNUSepyq0yrk7mQhCCxjGBerV_JyYcUSzyADfyM3SGeP9YKW6zjA9WXVyfb4WmZyiSSH7fhIKnTF-meaZIdA2Lw3F_P-aMbN46Xj7_ixUUwSA/w400-h208/CR105.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Around
1:30 very few fish were rising but I didn’t see anything they might
have been rising to. They were small subtle rises at that. I was
feeling less energetic and was coughing more often. My body felt weak
so I called it a day, waded out and headed back to camp tired and
spent.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMbgEh7E76Cz33eFr5YkAJGKaYxhz1gQJFe2XN3mzU0IJcqSfIcPO2STbex5OfiDv2Ir__VJM7SIRR5ommWJeMrJgF18zTJ45pdShwJOGwKujErQtFulYVg_JtFkNV-gl0FRb0IJ9OI3MlJUs15h22bk5GlJ8uwdY5KHkSy_s4eej6unM7hYCiWloMQ/s2338/CR1107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="2338" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMbgEh7E76Cz33eFr5YkAJGKaYxhz1gQJFe2XN3mzU0IJcqSfIcPO2STbex5OfiDv2Ir__VJM7SIRR5ommWJeMrJgF18zTJ45pdShwJOGwKujErQtFulYVg_JtFkNV-gl0FRb0IJ9OI3MlJUs15h22bk5GlJ8uwdY5KHkSy_s4eej6unM7hYCiWloMQ/w400-h300/CR1107.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
evening I looked through my fly boxes and gathered up anything in
shades of yellow along with a few March Browns for tomorrows
exercise. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-47151330474633917182023-06-06T08:39:00.002-04:002023-06-06T08:39:44.502-04:00Hot on the Kettle<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hot
on the Kettle</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5/16/23 </span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTCYo3c0Zaj2zMYkQZJ1CbSn1FwKPlyBTi5Wl4MZlXMlAg4XqW3ME-6bNFHKy3xuaneg9jkzQgAKZunLODUsoycCu_J574qEVB3oz20MLDRXRJGL8bMoVqlZXPnL0zELu7M31iSjC35j9we46BP-kPaSbFsLcbUtEC0bpWanMcIN-tpaIaYEdbA1_0g/s2621/kett%201258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTCYo3c0Zaj2zMYkQZJ1CbSn1FwKPlyBTi5Wl4MZlXMlAg4XqW3ME-6bNFHKy3xuaneg9jkzQgAKZunLODUsoycCu_J574qEVB3oz20MLDRXRJGL8bMoVqlZXPnL0zELu7M31iSjC35j9we46BP-kPaSbFsLcbUtEC0bpWanMcIN-tpaIaYEdbA1_0g/w400-h300/kett%201258.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
weekend was over and I wanted to get down to the creek where I’ve
always done well dry fly fishing so I got up early and had a good
breakfast. I figured the crowd of fishermen would be gone and, maybe
a day of rest for the fish, Tuesday would be a good day to challenge
the trout again. There weren’t many fishermen along the road side
and when I got down to the bridge there were only a couple guys
fishing. Up the dirt road I found a spot to park and assembled my
Icon rod for the time being. As I was stringing it up, behind my
truck, a guy and his son must have had golden trout fever. I’m not
sure how long they’ve been there but there was a golden trout
between them and I watched as they threw everything at the trout.
They threw live bait under bobbers, spinners and who knows what else
but the trout wasn’t moving a muscle towards anything they offered.
It was a wonder they didn’t accidentally snag the fish but they
were being good sportsmen. I dipped into and waded about shin deep to
give me some back casting room up creek from them. I snapped on a
Woolly Bugger and tossed it out there. I caught a couple on the
bugger before I switched to a March Brown. It was just after 10:00
and that’s usually when the March Browns start to hatch and come
off the water. I hadn’t noticed any surface activity, except for a
few small trout taking small caddis, but I was willing to take the
time to get the trout to rise.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">Tossing
the March Brown out there I let it drift on the wavy surface. I
missed the first taker that surprised me but I was ready the next
time. With a whooping noisy surface take a trout grabbed it and took
off on the piercing. She battled beneath with good runs until her
last splashes were in my net. The March Brown was secure in the side
of her lip. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> “<span style="font-size: medium;">1
down” I thought.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5_OQXL6_iAH3vrcan5ZXhJz45s8BCkIqfry8aS3pc3ufIRx7hY6y0XRUwbmjZa_srZ4rMcFaWClNHDv2Mhx7mlpD5zwo4WyAaX3eNrOP8Py0EvIaqAD_fkPFSBkqxZagoxmTtvViwI2dKKLmvEPCsev6IXTZncKS-jqh0gozx-QDzrU4C_-XZQi8kw/s2015/Kett%201105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2015" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5_OQXL6_iAH3vrcan5ZXhJz45s8BCkIqfry8aS3pc3ufIRx7hY6y0XRUwbmjZa_srZ4rMcFaWClNHDv2Mhx7mlpD5zwo4WyAaX3eNrOP8Py0EvIaqAD_fkPFSBkqxZagoxmTtvViwI2dKKLmvEPCsev6IXTZncKS-jqh0gozx-QDzrU4C_-XZQi8kw/w400-h291/Kett%201105.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
continued to cast the March brown out into the faster wavier current
and let it drift downstream in the slower waves. Occasionally I would
get one to rise and take it before a bigger wave drowned it. They
were quick frisky takes in the faster current so there was no time to
be looking else where. The suspenseful part was when the dry drifted
in the slower current. Times when I would see a fish rise to it and
back swim as if inspecting it under a microscope. Sometimes I think
they would actually nudge it to see if it was real and would take
flight but not take it. They’d refuse it all together and never
come up again after the first viewing. Just nerve racking. But every
once in a while I’ll get one that is curious enough to sip it in
off the surface. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IhDF5VrmZrd3bRBvQEUNm6WnpM2DJzbYrfkd0ysbIfZISJ-ar297J8vxQCTsw4LrZ2x52K9rXxVqZCw_17saVsw7ZpSIRfmGnSklykT4e3LYPvz-iepaNYh_pP-HVv-pS387vpB_KI1A2osoHbUqOTOoV6B83wr5VCSS08nKrFxVVclLtCWUfPOufA/s3729/kett%201113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="3729" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IhDF5VrmZrd3bRBvQEUNm6WnpM2DJzbYrfkd0ysbIfZISJ-ar297J8vxQCTsw4LrZ2x52K9rXxVqZCw_17saVsw7ZpSIRfmGnSklykT4e3LYPvz-iepaNYh_pP-HVv-pS387vpB_KI1A2osoHbUqOTOoV6B83wr5VCSS08nKrFxVVclLtCWUfPOufA/w400-h248/kett%201113.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
quite a while I couldn’t get anything fishy to rise. I decided to
toss out a MB nymph and an MB emerger. I was just tossing the tandem
flies out there like I was tossing two pennies in a wishing well park
fountain. A trout grabbed it as hard as if it was a passing Woolly
Bugger at the end of the drift. Well, this could get interesting.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66kn_kkepYeAh-xzQmKzVDPI55IAlCailptT-wtWEhjw4Z1M2qMqgrhxUZRdLB0A3zJPiTklHHpwIDkvY7W80IwM2twrm5pAHL2sEe5WYUn6bSpt20g2qw1GxynY1hfj3iY5gyEclXeW74TLQrXB1WkA72Pdk659DDxtP1JUHrwbJBvhsGjDKfHJ-PA/s2460/kett%201256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="2460" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66kn_kkepYeAh-xzQmKzVDPI55IAlCailptT-wtWEhjw4Z1M2qMqgrhxUZRdLB0A3zJPiTklHHpwIDkvY7W80IwM2twrm5pAHL2sEe5WYUn6bSpt20g2qw1GxynY1hfj3iY5gyEclXeW74TLQrXB1WkA72Pdk659DDxtP1JUHrwbJBvhsGjDKfHJ-PA/w400-h219/kett%201256.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
reached in my pocket and pulled out a stogie to bide the time. I
wasn’t sure how active the trout would be under the hot sun but I
figured I’d work underneath trying to coax any takers. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVlt3-h2Ddxn-Y_7icl9QagBMyPddLBajjSAm-TY8A6hYOMc9C5Vazsqaale44u4NGXL5aZyveCeJhGugMQ8PvLt2bjAeFFYs7FT0fCoKTUjuwsgJN9P43k1co9_toz8JkJt9B5pfmYqqXcRs4Fm_DIGUf4ktWtd56auuTTHGWEbF3upjRjRXRLKcAw/s2621/kett%201258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVlt3-h2Ddxn-Y_7icl9QagBMyPddLBajjSAm-TY8A6hYOMc9C5Vazsqaale44u4NGXL5aZyveCeJhGugMQ8PvLt2bjAeFFYs7FT0fCoKTUjuwsgJN9P43k1co9_toz8JkJt9B5pfmYqqXcRs4Fm_DIGUf4ktWtd56auuTTHGWEbF3upjRjRXRLKcAw/w400-h300/kett%201258.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
the spin fishermen left I had the section to myself for a while. I
fished my way downstream and knotted on a Woolly Bugger. Bait
fishermen always did well in the deeper slow water the wavy current
flowed into. Though the water was deeper I knew I couldn’t weight
the bugger too heavy and have to keep it moving because there just
wasn’t much undercurrent to move the bugger. The water was clear
but I couldn’t see far enough into the water beyond to notice any
hazards. For the next hour or so I did pull out a few trout that
weren’t too lazy to just let my bugger swim by without snacking on
it.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AYX5GFDWL1VCSLvGpcxLUmnS9UpzC7oC6wJtX4da7YWhEPIWf26R0IxGpGL8U1ow58LONOd82opiPaiHMpitiRIoxn1gSM6x7lbBoXLQNawmrjk5Z_NAKBwnMFQTqk53A7WQnx6QNRAQmr-5ycr7IkSu-0bEUfrybV_dF6e4GQgwMOoifXaEHxdYpw/s2239/Kett%20122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2239" data-original-width="1593" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AYX5GFDWL1VCSLvGpcxLUmnS9UpzC7oC6wJtX4da7YWhEPIWf26R0IxGpGL8U1ow58LONOd82opiPaiHMpitiRIoxn1gSM6x7lbBoXLQNawmrjk5Z_NAKBwnMFQTqk53A7WQnx6QNRAQmr-5ycr7IkSu-0bEUfrybV_dF6e4GQgwMOoifXaEHxdYpw/w285-h400/Kett%20122.jpg" width="285" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFs2LQFmSeD07Zj0Thq1CcLf2W-0wq0hclGm0kpedk4-yiZPMc1dGsSZZMNzbnG2IPQOGfRQz6qQR-4jXhcs6KojuzMVoQCiBalWWUN5gYx1jLEZQx79gV-QwaDeMV5kjPj5aPxjGttZPw8JnVzXTfPmRRTZMsMesohCuiPYkeeBbHAPZ_4qQ_L0ekg/s2621/Kett%20144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFs2LQFmSeD07Zj0Thq1CcLf2W-0wq0hclGm0kpedk4-yiZPMc1dGsSZZMNzbnG2IPQOGfRQz6qQR-4jXhcs6KojuzMVoQCiBalWWUN5gYx1jLEZQx79gV-QwaDeMV5kjPj5aPxjGttZPw8JnVzXTfPmRRTZMsMesohCuiPYkeeBbHAPZ_4qQ_L0ekg/w400-h300/Kett%20144.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
overhead sun was beating down its warmth. Looking upstream I could
almost see visions of heat waves hovering over the water surface. I
was pretty hot in my chest waders and was ready to cool off. Besides
it was as if it was half time and the players went back to the
dressing rooms to get out of the heat.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
sat in the truck with the A/C on munching of a granola bar and
refreshing water. It was around 2:00 and I was debating what to do. I
could go back to camp for an early dinner and back out for the
evening. It was at least a boring 35 minute drive to where I was
right then and I really wanted to fish a late hatch, if possible,
where I am. On my drive downstream there wasn’t a vehicle in sight
anywhere around the bridge. It was hard for me to pass this chance to
fish the area by myself. With the open water and hardly any wind I
reached and assembled my Scott G2 9’ 5 weight fly rod. The medium
action was a relaxing light weight casting rod. My favorite dry fly
rod in no wind situations. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Out
in the water I made smooth casts casting out dry caddis and dries
trying to pinpoint my casts at surface flowing objects. It was good
to practice accuracy as I was preparing for an evening hatch. Another
fly fishermen showed up and waded into the water upstream a ways. It
kind of gave me a break from talking to myself!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
knotted on a Woolly Bugger for the time being to pass the time
waiting for surface action. I caught a few more trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkDE38Np0l6mC9aJJdXNQ5_Y1vrV1E1BYahN6oL_doAlizPjlzSOVpPu2fU3Md5IhiT_CMI6_38h6Jff_cmk95tDNIAI6UbO2ehP6s3lYu8kIRHMMlWqCaifjcFbYd4dKg8rWTT9dhmDNttrD_RnBpBpp-vqgS9ndUdQA9vGbgLUglm1Hs9UPRLV11g/s2059/Kett%20519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="2059" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkDE38Np0l6mC9aJJdXNQ5_Y1vrV1E1BYahN6oL_doAlizPjlzSOVpPu2fU3Md5IhiT_CMI6_38h6Jff_cmk95tDNIAI6UbO2ehP6s3lYu8kIRHMMlWqCaifjcFbYd4dKg8rWTT9dhmDNttrD_RnBpBpp-vqgS9ndUdQA9vGbgLUglm1Hs9UPRLV11g/w400-h283/Kett%20519.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjn0AScANe3KuvA3TY42ytbTeLgi315wT8X42PeAhCvgED5v6sDGmSGBXkqj_8PTSD7ol5s_XS9m_jqQ5bc1rClriJsL0oZcc9Q8R4rNLzUQ_7y7MHkZMx7Eh46WClBrVVYa4R8B93bhRjVrKmUlE6ie2Jy8tZ8PlSH-WskBnN4IYsld8LqOWhJcGfg/s3422/Kett%20559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="3422" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjn0AScANe3KuvA3TY42ytbTeLgi315wT8X42PeAhCvgED5v6sDGmSGBXkqj_8PTSD7ol5s_XS9m_jqQ5bc1rClriJsL0oZcc9Q8R4rNLzUQ_7y7MHkZMx7Eh46WClBrVVYa4R8B93bhRjVrKmUlE6ie2Jy8tZ8PlSH-WskBnN4IYsld8LqOWhJcGfg/w400-h274/Kett%20559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
evening approached I looked up again and saw some big Drakes, I
figured they were, hovering above. There weren’t many by any means
but enough to get me a little excited. They were dark bodied, from
what I could see, with two extra long splayed tails. None got close
enough that I could see any color and as I searched on the surface I
couldn’t see and spinners floating. The fish apparently couldn’t
find any surface activity either. Just yet!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
looked into my fly box and could only find one big, extended body,
parachute dry fly that could resemble a Green Drake or possibly a
spinner. It was getting dark and I knew I only had one chance to tie
my last fly on. While I was tying it on I heard fish starting to
rise. Anticipation mounted!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I looked out into the open water there were swirls here and there
with an occasional slurp. I started casting out upstream from the
swirls letting my dry drift into a feeding zone. It was aggravating
as if my offering wasn’t good enough. Time and again I would toss
it out and thought, “they can’t be that picky?”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
enough was enough. It was getting pretty darker and there was no moon
to speak of. Just enough light on the surface for a slight glare of
moonlight. I saw another rise and tossed my drake pattern right on
the spot he came up. A fish grabbed it just as it plunked on the
water. I was quick with the hook set and finally caught one on top.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-6p2RjIuHk0dbuXt4yFLWquvwHt26iWmC4boJn-uICOmsB3aMVVjHEa3yiTtuoY8P_yUaB0Lwj4G9yWtCgGdkTkYJVif2pvptLxMV37hIh0Ab-SFtyC16_qhra-4Ir7_EeSQl0ZWba9vJlCxWfY-6wVbQ8dFtgUaRMHtsaltYzLnntJN3eVowxHs_g/s3124/kett%20837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3124" data-original-width="2658" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-6p2RjIuHk0dbuXt4yFLWquvwHt26iWmC4boJn-uICOmsB3aMVVjHEa3yiTtuoY8P_yUaB0Lwj4G9yWtCgGdkTkYJVif2pvptLxMV37hIh0Ab-SFtyC16_qhra-4Ir7_EeSQl0ZWba9vJlCxWfY-6wVbQ8dFtgUaRMHtsaltYzLnntJN3eVowxHs_g/w340-h400/kett%20837.jpg" width="340" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
releasing the trout I thought that may be the trick on a moonless
night. Cast the dry right on their face and not try to drift it into
the strike zone. As soon as the dry hits the water the slight surface
commotion brings attention and they can spot the fly on the surface. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Wham,
another trout grabbed my drake as soon as it hit the water. After
releasing this one my parachute dry wasn’t very dry. Fish slime
pretty much soaked in. I tried to powder it dry but was no use. It
was too dark to tie anything on and I wasn’t much of a fan of night
fishing anyhow. I caught a couple night feeders and that was good
enough for me.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFDNRc6mNh_w7U65wrfRcNw6llWE3XnTT7F_ok1wzD9oH_wFbnDkrtLTcyZVWuXjMAgoV9_J9yO7vXU5cmaoKT6Q60xgbUy6YrXkNBUMb2HFMVlseuSKe4nbnguH-SGyIU0l4jISMbZvWLDT9xYwKmQxin4TnPs9uSkWIkILjzAT0N28X6_YTMWJUTA/s2134/kett%20851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="2134" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFDNRc6mNh_w7U65wrfRcNw6llWE3XnTT7F_ok1wzD9oH_wFbnDkrtLTcyZVWuXjMAgoV9_J9yO7vXU5cmaoKT6Q60xgbUy6YrXkNBUMb2HFMVlseuSKe4nbnguH-SGyIU0l4jISMbZvWLDT9xYwKmQxin4TnPs9uSkWIkILjzAT0N28X6_YTMWJUTA/w400-h336/kett%20851.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-27608432967339984452023-05-26T07:38:00.000-04:002023-05-26T07:38:05.704-04:00Hooking Up on Pine Creek<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hooking
Up on Pine Creek</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5/18/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7jDFjOmRl9d7CzAMBbLUOIxUPwGZhQFyMCCk_W1AH_hKap7gkh-0b-sTtcJPfTOL-uRkohTC-8UQ9OXmbIjrA1r4Pmhe4VQlzkJjCBf50aWneaq6dYCZVcccTK9cNf-0tfnenY-3DhlstC26ow05w26-2o2KKanL5xMNJ_QG6CU8oovz-iKO-3yA3w/s1278/dry%20brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1278" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7jDFjOmRl9d7CzAMBbLUOIxUPwGZhQFyMCCk_W1AH_hKap7gkh-0b-sTtcJPfTOL-uRkohTC-8UQ9OXmbIjrA1r4Pmhe4VQlzkJjCBf50aWneaq6dYCZVcccTK9cNf-0tfnenY-3DhlstC26ow05w26-2o2KKanL5xMNJ_QG6CU8oovz-iKO-3yA3w/w400-h313/dry%20brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
34° I wasn’t that anxious to get out and start fishing the big
waters. It wasn’t like I’d be steelhead fishing!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
hadn’t fished Pine Creek in Tioga County for many moons. When I was
there the water was high and it was very windy. I couldn’t wade in
very far because of the fast undercurrent. I think I caught only one
small rainbow and didn’t stick around very long because of
conditions. This morning the creek looks in great shape and the
weather is suppose to be warm and calm also. A couple guys at the
campground said they were there a few days ago and caught trout on
BWO and other small dry flies. I was anxious to get out there but not
at 34°. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
sat in the warm truck for a bit but my patients ran out at 38 °. I
got out and started to put my gear together and my waders on. I put
together my Icon 5 weight 9’ fast action rod and grabbed a few
cigars. By this time the sun had started to appear above the hillside
tree line and started to warm things up a bit. I wasn’t sure where
to start so I strolled up the dirt road and looked over the water as
I walked. It kind of all looked the same. I waded into the cool water
about knee high and looked around. There was only one other person I
saw upstream stripping a streamer in the faster riffling current
about 50 yards or so. I started casting a Woolly Bugger in the open
water. Each cast was a little further than the last. About my 5<sup>th</sup>
cast I got a hard strike that almost took the rod right out of my
hands. I know fast undercurrent can play tricks of how big a trout
can be but I was sure I had a heavy weight. He had the 9 footer bowed
good and put up a good battle with head shakes and weighty runs. I
got him close enough and netted a fine lengthy husky brown trout!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHRdwQACC4uDsYIp31E26p9PPA2n0D6nVUNMTqgy1gsB6y7JteIx2c5uGPqtudwri_XnyD8kjN2z7XDYNdX2bc1ryX2RxV6wSVy7JMGn_04g1tiKz50WIGoU8ffYtytE0ZeQDMAnNZoMKFir3ACd8hNYgqMr0SCmXi5AXNKhAv8qJ8wAKC2oGIhreNA/s2435/pine%20923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="2435" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHRdwQACC4uDsYIp31E26p9PPA2n0D6nVUNMTqgy1gsB6y7JteIx2c5uGPqtudwri_XnyD8kjN2z7XDYNdX2bc1ryX2RxV6wSVy7JMGn_04g1tiKz50WIGoU8ffYtytE0ZeQDMAnNZoMKFir3ACd8hNYgqMr0SCmXi5AXNKhAv8qJ8wAKC2oGIhreNA/w400-h296/pine%20923.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
heard there were some big trout in these waters and I was thankful
for this one.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
did you catch him on?” the guy upstream yelled down like a coach
yelling at a player on the practice field.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span>“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Woolly
Bugger” I yelled back.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
never fished these waters before” I called back, “What’s good
to use?”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Streamers
in the morning” he replied.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">‘<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
guess I’m on the right track’ I thought to myself.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
I caught a couple more smaller trout on the bugger fish started to
rise to something small. They looked like caddis so I knotted one on
and lit up a fat stogie to enjoy the rest of the day. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdYwy5vK2YMy8-idRl1PeYQ8BZBenRvE3K5-4cpqDdmx6iVoDzXoWM50aw3pfGlgTGCiQnhoSzcMIffpRk6cMD_mCs4qwNQjX4zkGYvqAr4J1_hpcVt4x5y7fxOOOQ9SxjDbPmTQ2tC-8r1WwJB0UtzM4CEC-ZN3YtuORp093jj8jijYS3iiWJNPbSg/s2621/pine%201047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdYwy5vK2YMy8-idRl1PeYQ8BZBenRvE3K5-4cpqDdmx6iVoDzXoWM50aw3pfGlgTGCiQnhoSzcMIffpRk6cMD_mCs4qwNQjX4zkGYvqAr4J1_hpcVt4x5y7fxOOOQ9SxjDbPmTQ2tC-8r1WwJB0UtzM4CEC-ZN3YtuORp093jj8jijYS3iiWJNPbSg/w400-h300/pine%201047.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
littler trout were eager to grab the caddis if I got it in their
feeding zone. I missed a few but I figured they were small also
because of the small splashes they made at my caddis dries. Tired of
playing with these smaller ones I knotted on a March Brown. While
doing so I heard a louder splash out a ways and looked up and saw a
widening swirl moving with the current. I finished my knot and took
out line to reach the vicinity of where I thought was the feeder. He
didn’t rise again until he saw my March Brown drifting by!! He
grabbed it in a quick splashing manner like a hurrying hungry guy at
the second pickup window.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp87Msp0ivbKMP4rkhmPGxuZitF5S3B6lK5cHrR7tkmOiTrx2tEtaCcRV43xx4SwIYm3S8gptyQoUOviw1zjBaBzNTlZpkvbmSGonB9ID48fX1sTJVWAWgkRS9gFc8kkrY_n-GeB6O7juebLFBL2Lau9OSFlUcICKc9P_DYMHIO3DMKKd0HFVa5oA3wA/s3220/pine%201116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3220" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp87Msp0ivbKMP4rkhmPGxuZitF5S3B6lK5cHrR7tkmOiTrx2tEtaCcRV43xx4SwIYm3S8gptyQoUOviw1zjBaBzNTlZpkvbmSGonB9ID48fX1sTJVWAWgkRS9gFc8kkrY_n-GeB6O7juebLFBL2Lau9OSFlUcICKc9P_DYMHIO3DMKKd0HFVa5oA3wA/w400-h249/pine%201116.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
put up a heck of a fight in the swift current turning every which way
trying to get undone. I was surprised when I netted him. He had a
big round open wound on his side like he got burnt being too close to
a camp fire. I was actually able to see his rib bones through what
was left of his flesh. Whatever caused it I wasn’t sure but he was
healthy no matter.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6MlsXcJrrCvPL-kl2O-vi_q7HXkwrUCuCPKIXvOZ6oz1488k-iV6gEsxtTC_0Ynzl26UFIh7lJfh-iHejMf3jC-9R28bN3k2mTffn5uamcvQpxJKJujKWCNg9c-EjLd2chgBiKUE4CDQAQri-dOUzmUm1OFrq5zQ4qH-utLzXjLrMpQ-QxoYoS8CWg/s590/ribs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="590" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6MlsXcJrrCvPL-kl2O-vi_q7HXkwrUCuCPKIXvOZ6oz1488k-iV6gEsxtTC_0Ynzl26UFIh7lJfh-iHejMf3jC-9R28bN3k2mTffn5uamcvQpxJKJujKWCNg9c-EjLd2chgBiKUE4CDQAQri-dOUzmUm1OFrq5zQ4qH-utLzXjLrMpQ-QxoYoS8CWg/w400-h343/ribs.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
continued casting dry flies of sorts but it took a while before I got
a few to take.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2JWcpSFdkIgb9N6sTeaxKQvcr0zFLi3hNwzSMPUd69aIIOjoxYjn_Fer9ajtiitK3knOjllIimsTCHhbe3h33jObHTNVTb7Ea3PX2nqSigdDKRt7ZoztYCX8yCmBco28iayADQ1IXpbAvPXzoAx9ejiRUkRjk2arUy8u9GTF1C09EUqhTBJ1lMahfg/s1993/Pine1141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1993" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2JWcpSFdkIgb9N6sTeaxKQvcr0zFLi3hNwzSMPUd69aIIOjoxYjn_Fer9ajtiitK3knOjllIimsTCHhbe3h33jObHTNVTb7Ea3PX2nqSigdDKRt7ZoztYCX8yCmBco28iayADQ1IXpbAvPXzoAx9ejiRUkRjk2arUy8u9GTF1C09EUqhTBJ1lMahfg/w400-h286/Pine1141.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
after noon there was a null in the surface action. The sun was
shining bright in the sky above and there wasn’t any Mayfly or
caddis activity going on on the surface. The guys up and across creek
were having some luck, as they called it, with nymph fishing. I
knotted on the standard nymph patterns like BH Hares Ear, March Brown
nymphs and emergers, PT’s and such but it didn’t evoke any
curious trout. About 2:30 I decided to call it quits and decided to
Bugger my way down creek toward my truck. I knotted on my
bread-and-butter go to Woolly Bugger that always seems to fool fish
and slowly waded down creek in thigh high water. Evidently the bigger
trout were more interested in meat than snacking on small nymphs. As
I went I hooked up occasionally with good battling rainbows.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QVJXnIYvuO1TVRXGX6DNKznzIImS_7YcgM4DDPdfUgprzvTeRrBJqqv8V-y5okFzTDIfs14u0wRmnXApR8EVTW0IU9mA3DsIus0fiQ40NF0khIAjInqGMgqmfLrJ7_Bw_UEWzM7UiVoPx8RTwF5dd-8ts6w4Yr7IxSVj5ewIOcgTef-UQ4OVpb1hcQ/s3775/pine%201243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="3775" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QVJXnIYvuO1TVRXGX6DNKznzIImS_7YcgM4DDPdfUgprzvTeRrBJqqv8V-y5okFzTDIfs14u0wRmnXApR8EVTW0IU9mA3DsIus0fiQ40NF0khIAjInqGMgqmfLrJ7_Bw_UEWzM7UiVoPx8RTwF5dd-8ts6w4Yr7IxSVj5ewIOcgTef-UQ4OVpb1hcQ/w400-h241/pine%201243.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I waded I looked into the water around me and very often found trout
just hanging around here and there like city park goers resting from
a long exercising walk. There were two occasions that if the two
rainbows were blind I may have walked on them. They knew I was coming
towards them slowly and just wavered in front of me, a rods length at
times, as if expecting me to move out of their way. I came to the
conclusion there were trout everywhere but they just weren’t hungry
or easily fooled. Well, not all of them! Another grabbed my bugger
and off he went like a kid at summer camp grabbing a free lunch bag
and running off to join his friends. Only catch was there was a
string attached to my rod and reel!!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHIfnZHuFQ7490tAE4QbUSeZnl6feGYDtyGql8xBTn1yf5bxitQMW2ThjqAjCCxY6tDuokEFlCqlpzJxvRxu-WzOwpdWR-q-oqMwxz2DbdVxAlLo7_qm2mHB4KB4bkkm5uWjukHlHkKrYy_4IHlUXgJ7UPoy4Qe4tdvzbirxBrH27zcr2h1UgWmWfKg/s2288/pine%20302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="2288" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHIfnZHuFQ7490tAE4QbUSeZnl6feGYDtyGql8xBTn1yf5bxitQMW2ThjqAjCCxY6tDuokEFlCqlpzJxvRxu-WzOwpdWR-q-oqMwxz2DbdVxAlLo7_qm2mHB4KB4bkkm5uWjukHlHkKrYy_4IHlUXgJ7UPoy4Qe4tdvzbirxBrH27zcr2h1UgWmWfKg/w400-h334/pine%20302.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Truthfully,
if camp wasn’t so far away I may have stuck around longer. There
was so much creek to explore and the trout put up good lasting
battles in the big water current.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was getting near where I wanted to exit. There’s always that
thought before wading out to just hook up one last time. I cast out
towards the middle of the creek and let my bugger swing down creek.
After it swung down creek from me I started to strip it in slowly. A
fish grabbed it and I set the hook. It felt kind of on the light side
and didn’t fight with the enthusiasm as the others. I was surprise
when I landed it, it was a chubby fall fish. I guess they are
entitled to grab whatever food comes their way!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0YZdPbUwT2BELTQcLPJGtR5Utmz-96-l_SDJuTXBAH0Mq6c33VOif7fYp7lvTgkLCfy0E_YT7A9PZNwM40Dsfky7Ljz98H5Pb_r2naOs3OkHuNLiVH9VPJLKOhRMiupXXC1iiwTIN3IiKsX-_T7MujElwuMpoZRO8LPhA42Yqck_rpSogTuIvw2cSg/s3007/pine%20323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2477" data-original-width="3007" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0YZdPbUwT2BELTQcLPJGtR5Utmz-96-l_SDJuTXBAH0Mq6c33VOif7fYp7lvTgkLCfy0E_YT7A9PZNwM40Dsfky7Ljz98H5Pb_r2naOs3OkHuNLiVH9VPJLKOhRMiupXXC1iiwTIN3IiKsX-_T7MujElwuMpoZRO8LPhA42Yqck_rpSogTuIvw2cSg/w400-h330/pine%20323.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
at least I didn’t end the day with a sucker!!!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-24860465686576940272023-05-24T07:49:00.000-04:002023-05-24T07:49:01.821-04:00Teasing on the Young Womans<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Teasing
on the Young Womans</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5/15/23</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykOVsdq6bKT3ax29puY3-m8x8rBjBRg14O0jvll_Y6PKjxRcqg6Rb6pVu_B6543tKxNDRKQwjhufBaL1bSDBXbQE4sX_IAaKZMBNVmtF7jO0216fIsqFnWMXi2z-yFGFYpMaBKc6tRQFzBwQQR3X8epdHesbiQOy7h4h_e0HE_3P1JCoztVm446jwxQ/s2947/YW%201230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="2947" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykOVsdq6bKT3ax29puY3-m8x8rBjBRg14O0jvll_Y6PKjxRcqg6Rb6pVu_B6543tKxNDRKQwjhufBaL1bSDBXbQE4sX_IAaKZMBNVmtF7jO0216fIsqFnWMXi2z-yFGFYpMaBKc6tRQFzBwQQR3X8epdHesbiQOy7h4h_e0HE_3P1JCoztVm446jwxQ/w400-h334/YW%201230.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
filling up with fuel in Renovo we headed to Young Womans Creek in
search of trout. It was late morning when we got to our first
destination. There were already midges in the chill of the air. The
sun beamed down upon the surface water through the forest hardwoods
and pines like light passing through stained glass windows causing
patchwork on a bare freshly waxed floor. We walked down the path to
the creek and looked for any rises in the shade beneath the hanging
pine boughs across creek. There were none to be seen. I know the
creek gets stocked with trout but every once in a while I’ll catch
a wild one. We walked up along the bank and there we saw a golden
trout, and a few rainbows, hanging out facing the incoming faster
current. We went back to the truck and got our waders on.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy
started fishing for the Golden and rainbows while I skirted the cross
creek shady areas with Woolly Buggers and a few dry flies. After a
while I left Randy alone and headed up creek and fished my way down.
In the half hour or so we spent we never got a strike. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
took off and made a quick stop up creek. There we saw a nice size
stocked rainbow holding in the middle of a narrow section of water.
We snuck through the higher weeds to the creek bank. Randy tossed out
a Woolly Bugger trying to get the rainbow to bite. I watched for a
short while before fishing down creek a bit. Again we didn’t have
any takers to what we had to offer. It was if the Young Womans wasn’t
going to be friendly this morning. We got back in the vehicles and
headed to the next spot. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was like driving and stopping along the road at yard sales. We’d
spend a half hour or so looking for a bargain and something worth
netting. If nothing caught our fancy we’d just move on to the next
sale. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
third stop was the deepest hole I ever came across on Young Womans
Creek. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
started fishing at the head of the pool where the cool water
narrowed, in a shin deep riffle, along a downed limb and entered the
deeper pool. Randy started casting in the middle of the deeper pool
where a golden trout settled near the bottom. He said he was able to
see more trout in the deeper pool.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wham!
A trout tried to surprise me by taking my offering I skirted along
the downed limb. I was Jerry on the spot and set the hook quickly on
the snatch. She wiggled around in the flow as I got her nearer to me
and in the net. A nice looking native was my reward.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvV-xVtePDUlQvGzD-zx7nzS21PebJ4V3YNOPS7G-EjNUkh-bNIxGdGYCDrffZmMzXm3k_kzP9iEZ2RtSjbPJZEa-RjArW3jaCD9OOzcQWlMcYmkdycLyrLIZikFBo2zKxC0fAjHAMTZtptDt8vdQugeAv_2J7Hj_ukrkN7hiMe0PPDuVoxLvRHNiFQ/s2267/YW%201107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="2267" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvV-xVtePDUlQvGzD-zx7nzS21PebJ4V3YNOPS7G-EjNUkh-bNIxGdGYCDrffZmMzXm3k_kzP9iEZ2RtSjbPJZEa-RjArW3jaCD9OOzcQWlMcYmkdycLyrLIZikFBo2zKxC0fAjHAMTZtptDt8vdQugeAv_2J7Hj_ukrkN7hiMe0PPDuVoxLvRHNiFQ/w400-h311/YW%201107.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Randy
called out he missed a trout. He continued to fish the deeper pool
while I continued to skirt the long downed limb in the riffling
narrow section of water. I had a couple of subtle hints of a strike
but couldn’t hook up. I refused to trim the bugger shorter and
continued to drift the bugger along the limb. Finally I had a good
take and another brookie entered the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhUxjFuBVyoqa2ySBEdXeZXX0af_b5hZ09pYWsJao0_S8PGup1P22Q-sy0dcIyXG4VTMvyzAUfjmreutnjf_tWeRHopIDFVZaGpkdqCwcO0HnQmgZ1G618ZI7ZojB--Czk1kLjAhy6CN6EB9RIHao3NA5GVGWZBHmV6IXJPfEB82rpilng0BKjACbcw/s2518/YW%201211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="2518" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhUxjFuBVyoqa2ySBEdXeZXX0af_b5hZ09pYWsJao0_S8PGup1P22Q-sy0dcIyXG4VTMvyzAUfjmreutnjf_tWeRHopIDFVZaGpkdqCwcO0HnQmgZ1G618ZI7ZojB--Czk1kLjAhy6CN6EB9RIHao3NA5GVGWZBHmV6IXJPfEB82rpilng0BKjACbcw/w400-h338/YW%201211.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
a few more casts I wasn’t getting any bites. I just knew there had
to be another along the limb. Maybe at the end before the water
opened into the main body. Nothing struck at the bugger so I started
to try and tease them with different approaches and offerings. It was
as if I was trying to score with a bar stool young woman with come on
lines. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here
I am, what’s your other two wishes?”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
put on my best looking offering and tossed it out there like a
refined gem under the golden sun. I watched my free gift drift upon
the surface like a lost gem tumbling in the shallow stream of rain
water along a curb. She grabbed on to it as if she didn’t want it
to reach the sewer! I flicked my wrist and she was hooked. She
tussled a bit, bending my rod with her writhing responses, but I
played her well. She was a fine looking pick up. Kind of fancier and
friskier than the others. I admired her for a moment before tossing
her back in, there were more fish in the sea!!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1ITYunSpd4IL0SWBotrupNCD3ekX5o9qgKzH2aq9XG7zNU02fagOXeEWzhwX3euP5wvxnMuqoZ1jy9wcVVZuhiWnFIUFPAIwARFSIggNywl_j5JFLMDpYXQziH3pXmMzBri_2ygM91GDUlPwXTQbf2L3y9o9xYYPhUliFVzDidaARn3pMFTsrxzObg/s2947/YW%201230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="2947" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1ITYunSpd4IL0SWBotrupNCD3ekX5o9qgKzH2aq9XG7zNU02fagOXeEWzhwX3euP5wvxnMuqoZ1jy9wcVVZuhiWnFIUFPAIwARFSIggNywl_j5JFLMDpYXQziH3pXmMzBri_2ygM91GDUlPwXTQbf2L3y9o9xYYPhUliFVzDidaARn3pMFTsrxzObg/w400-h334/YW%201230.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
made one more stop under the hot afternoon sun. The water was pretty
shallow and we couldn’t see and trout or hatches. We went back to
the vehicles and put street clothes on and headed back to camp.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was a fine tease on Young Womans Creek!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-83552696076337333012023-05-23T07:28:00.004-04:002023-05-23T07:28:54.584-04:00An Evening Hatch<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">An
Evening Hatch</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5/13/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggujH4FgMFJEOWIRxTrb4JPvhAQHfH1R5xOFBVRSuhp0AtR5-am_7e5cp4pv_upsgmRhdxAw9wOqG7quZdxCuYyxyEsV_NIMuCji8SqPUNY4ZnO6urV5l0A49xZQhmkLAycJzfjkktkB0SD02YKAAisGxgkRnLN3odFZGfXCmYR77mkY3iyGMDffPa6w/s2621/Ket755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggujH4FgMFJEOWIRxTrb4JPvhAQHfH1R5xOFBVRSuhp0AtR5-am_7e5cp4pv_upsgmRhdxAw9wOqG7quZdxCuYyxyEsV_NIMuCji8SqPUNY4ZnO6urV5l0A49xZQhmkLAycJzfjkktkB0SD02YKAAisGxgkRnLN3odFZGfXCmYR77mkY3iyGMDffPa6w/w400-h300/Ket755.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
a pork chop and applesauce dinner Randy and I decided to walk down
the creek, from the campground, hoping for an evening hatch. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTuU72QNSCoyl4GN6KlXBuUH312A6aqvMxPPioVFyqffcmaZ3K_EeIngcnXbyX8CY0r8DhwL4dpneJHjL31URDBoBXDXvtstZ51vz18elKDQ3XZ7P2gB3nutfEbzaHf_9Rzn9p2DWcbVnVmJ9Ym1w8TcLuZH-1ObJyPYLprs7rPllQkyXJdu58vQ3Bw/s2560/pork%20chop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1810" data-original-width="2560" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTuU72QNSCoyl4GN6KlXBuUH312A6aqvMxPPioVFyqffcmaZ3K_EeIngcnXbyX8CY0r8DhwL4dpneJHjL31URDBoBXDXvtstZ51vz18elKDQ3XZ7P2gB3nutfEbzaHf_9Rzn9p2DWcbVnVmJ9Ym1w8TcLuZH-1ObJyPYLprs7rPllQkyXJdu58vQ3Bw/w400-h283/pork%20chop.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> When
we arrived at the campsite on Thursday we fished after we set up and
found rising trout to caddis. No biggies but a few rainbows and brown
trout that would take our olive and tan caddis. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
we got to our destination there weren’t any risers but we casted
dry flies anyhow and made fish rise in the first half hour.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MgFxKFT_oq2xe_RIfWMARGhSJWrQW7YqLAQNp29ipElNq-5RFwyJplTSywpgDyIXtDQSt8B35X4hHUcQLuPn9RWjeOSyhVEoUIfD2NRChBw7ZuvWE2jFAXUvvAV_D3tiVqXTSuAYW-QPOWV5qxGDZmr9uyg_MlAOlKtM0x3GNF5vgHzzE8DTjQgmxg/s4032/Ket729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MgFxKFT_oq2xe_RIfWMARGhSJWrQW7YqLAQNp29ipElNq-5RFwyJplTSywpgDyIXtDQSt8B35X4hHUcQLuPn9RWjeOSyhVEoUIfD2NRChBw7ZuvWE2jFAXUvvAV_D3tiVqXTSuAYW-QPOWV5qxGDZmr9uyg_MlAOlKtM0x3GNF5vgHzzE8DTjQgmxg/w400-h300/Ket729.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> As
it got later dimples and small swirls appeared on the water surface
like sporadic raindrops on calm pond water. What I could tell there
was a combination of small midges and small sulfurs starting to rise
off the water. Not many but enough to make me tie on a sulfur
imitation. I knotted on a #16 but many of the sulfurs I saw were
maybe a #18 or smaller. There were also something I couldn’t see
the trout were taking.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
appeared the quick rises to the surface were smaller fish. Once I
caught one I discovered they were small wild brown trout feeding.
They were quick to the surface to grab a fly like a sudden surprise
of a popped corn kernel. I guess they were entitled to eat too.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHRkK0Yl5WL9zwyJEwYauTKlincHkPXlxxoszL7w0jB3y64PlB5XXKiheZrsiAbYhQXoVyR2rP7_vKNZN-Cr3z2P2My1JulHU-a7VzVvbyJSD0pAmtjGKojJFdsTaXj2zJDmsaIBZUt3OkalOu7_iwF2n2SVgruemYYT2r4wcFCKoHXHEHSDwnMzIKA/s2621/Ket750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHRkK0Yl5WL9zwyJEwYauTKlincHkPXlxxoszL7w0jB3y64PlB5XXKiheZrsiAbYhQXoVyR2rP7_vKNZN-Cr3z2P2My1JulHU-a7VzVvbyJSD0pAmtjGKojJFdsTaXj2zJDmsaIBZUt3OkalOu7_iwF2n2SVgruemYYT2r4wcFCKoHXHEHSDwnMzIKA/w400-h300/Ket750.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
water I was casting to was no deeper than shin deep. It looked as if
a few trout came out from the deeper water and under tree cover to
feed in the open slow surface flow. Every once in a while I’d hook
into a bigger brown feeding with the little guys in the shallower
water.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ou0ZwKSvyoyj1m9BRZ-T9KUoai6EO7dR5GyLhQz5RkHqRp-LNMzuLSbbzKIS8ohHQEVBhq8pTrVJhu1wtT-JZdRYx4nKNT6P6ahyHyfbUQYH2EGPVPDhmSIRkoF9utS3OQW9rVy5FRpgUZYhjql-FtQg83sZ4L-aL9rkswZT68CXjvuTcr7Sua_ySw/s2009/Ket808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1635" data-original-width="2009" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ou0ZwKSvyoyj1m9BRZ-T9KUoai6EO7dR5GyLhQz5RkHqRp-LNMzuLSbbzKIS8ohHQEVBhq8pTrVJhu1wtT-JZdRYx4nKNT6P6ahyHyfbUQYH2EGPVPDhmSIRkoF9utS3OQW9rVy5FRpgUZYhjql-FtQg83sZ4L-aL9rkswZT68CXjvuTcr7Sua_ySw/w400-h325/Ket808.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
evening approached I looked up and saw a few bigger mayflies. I
believe they were spinners of some sort. They had 2 long splayed
tails and a dark body. I figured there was a spinner fall and that
may be what the trout were feeding on that I couldn’t see.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> More
small sulfurs were coming off and I had many more refusals on my #16.
it got too dark under the canopy of trees we were under for me to tie
anything else on. We called it a day and headed back to camp as
dimples of rising trout continued to surface. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef5TC_txun6m_OENAJLShh_mgezyqt3iePmM_E8PcHpm-7Z8uL-jPWlMyp2QqUl7_8rhZiBqpcK12riWiiOTa_vtQUBtV_p-f-8qg-xjpyZxiDsZOMj7z8c06hJvYNEQlLXjeqKY97VUi75XOhFSP9Kh13xBchsFNoXYIInkyRD14CBpNuuSzPbCAcg/s2243/Ket814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="2243" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef5TC_txun6m_OENAJLShh_mgezyqt3iePmM_E8PcHpm-7Z8uL-jPWlMyp2QqUl7_8rhZiBqpcK12riWiiOTa_vtQUBtV_p-f-8qg-xjpyZxiDsZOMj7z8c06hJvYNEQlLXjeqKY97VUi75XOhFSP9Kh13xBchsFNoXYIInkyRD14CBpNuuSzPbCAcg/w400-h243/Ket814.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> ~doubletaper</span></span>
<p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-64809925727745571432023-04-30T07:18:00.004-04:002023-04-30T07:54:28.564-04:00Birthday Trout 2023<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Birthday
Trout 2023</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4/20/2023</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQd2c2x0w-VexTYLDM7cxzKrchOupyzKyAm7Iew0Xu28e2ko4pb0OfDveXnigoMD0Avy3AB0Bm4hpCj-lS2p9bpMwCBdFTpP34PgxdJV__mXqQvzLzidaCVDbeSEYi2YgyzSuIk7_D1G8o9epqxdiqwO3Q9Jj7q2TQsl7-MLURHECEyxkBCJTk2myWQ/s2621/BDT%20244b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQd2c2x0w-VexTYLDM7cxzKrchOupyzKyAm7Iew0Xu28e2ko4pb0OfDveXnigoMD0Avy3AB0Bm4hpCj-lS2p9bpMwCBdFTpP34PgxdJV__mXqQvzLzidaCVDbeSEYi2YgyzSuIk7_D1G8o9epqxdiqwO3Q9Jj7q2TQsl7-MLURHECEyxkBCJTk2myWQ/w400-h300/BDT%20244b.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
came a day early but I ain’t complaining!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> There’s
a section of water, along Tionesta Creek, that I’ve been wanting to
explore. I knew it would be a long walk down hill upon a trail
leading to level ground. The trail actually heads upstream to the
level but I’ll have to follow the creek downstream to get to where
I actually think would be better fishing. I was busy trying to find
trout in a smaller creek in the morning so I didn’t get to this
section of water till afternoon. I parked aside the road and made
sure my water bottle was filled and had a couple granola bars along
with a couple of cigars. The sun was hot and shining down avoiding
the moving puffy clouds above most of the time. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I got to the creek I stepped off the bank into the knee deep wavy
water and looked down the wide section of water. The prime spot I
wanted to get to was a ways downstream. The rocks and stones, beneath
my boots, weren’t all that stable so I couldn’t hurry. As I waded
down creek I cast my Woolly Bugger here and there in the knee deep
water heading to the shallow riffles. A hatch of Grannoms and black
caddis started to appear as I went. I’m sure there were a few
stoneflies this time of day but I wasn’t concerned about the hatch
until I saw rising trout. By the time I got to the prime spot I
wanted to fish I hadn’t caught anything but I was ready for some
action.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the past week I’ve been using my fast action 9’ 5 weight, except
for the small creek brook trout fishing, in the Tionesta. It’s not
that the 5 weight is all that heavy but casting it all day every day
takes it’s toll on the muscles of my casting arm and shoulder. I
decided to use my 9’ 4 weight custom rod for the days adventure. It’s
a fast action rod also and cuts through the wind pretty well.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
main shallow riffling current flows towards the far side of the creek
along the steep bank. There’s boulders and big rocks here and there
lining the bank and it looks a lot deeper. On my side of the creek it
got knee to thigh high deep just a few feet from the bank. In between
it was anywhere from waist to chest high and maybe even deeper
further to the far bank. I wasn’t going to chance wading out too
far. The sun was shining down putting a reflecting sparkle on the
wavy water like flashes of disco lighting on a dance floor. A heavy
gust of wind would blow by now and then so I always had to be aware
when casting out.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was casting the Woolly Bugger near the darker water across creek and
letting it swing down creek in the lighter shaded water. A trout
grabbed it, on the swing, with a good tug. I reared back the rod and
my first fish was fighting the line in the oncoming current. I didn’t
have too much trouble getting him in the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwfuo4aN63OdoxNztgYM27fZOk3i99CyT9dcXJe_AqJ1WZDcde0PJsRrjQR7P8pW0hsAy2tQmwaG3AlCIPH20xG-jQEoh9QnruApVp1tKC2VqiQydPEgPRStKIUvYU3kof6FmBP65Nfy5G2KzQ9dm91lehGlXF14w_7dH1eVmsJybjs5LJb_Sbo4Y0Q/s3273/BDT%20134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3273" data-original-width="2949" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwfuo4aN63OdoxNztgYM27fZOk3i99CyT9dcXJe_AqJ1WZDcde0PJsRrjQR7P8pW0hsAy2tQmwaG3AlCIPH20xG-jQEoh9QnruApVp1tKC2VqiQydPEgPRStKIUvYU3kof6FmBP65Nfy5G2KzQ9dm91lehGlXF14w_7dH1eVmsJybjs5LJb_Sbo4Y0Q/w360-h400/BDT%20134.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Well,
that deserved an afternoon cigar. I reached into my shirt pocket and
pulled out an Oliva Robusto and lit it up.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbrzJ44X1Faq_CJM-dCw7joV0ezoipbunAHHo5HdAzRuoiQWl46mhWHHiCcYP9zsC_e0bEm045iLSgFubI1bUiba1oUeMte4nyAjEnnOgeEyEgaztxAeMMtS2A0wBeaUKDQ0zyx1FuX7E4OwLEPim1ozA5wvDVUvGVGPP6-1ynyj73Zg43XT8X67vfw/s2621/BDT%20136%20CIG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbrzJ44X1Faq_CJM-dCw7joV0ezoipbunAHHo5HdAzRuoiQWl46mhWHHiCcYP9zsC_e0bEm045iLSgFubI1bUiba1oUeMte4nyAjEnnOgeEyEgaztxAeMMtS2A0wBeaUKDQ0zyx1FuX7E4OwLEPim1ozA5wvDVUvGVGPP6-1ynyj73Zg43XT8X67vfw/w400-h300/BDT%20136%20CIG.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
continued to cast out towards the deeper water as I slowly moved down
a step or two after each couple of casts. I’d get a bump and maybe
a hook up now and then. Since the water was deep enough on my side of
the creek I’d make a long cast down creek and strip in the bugger
real slow. I wasn’t hooking up continuously but enough bumps and
hook ups to keep me entertained while I smoked the stogie.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIbmldNVuL8iFgYKyer98Db1Oiqd9xmKF8SJJTyz39iFTK-QlUub4oWN7xh2VlpV6nbDCCmcunMjsWlUDuoGR_b8SbwPwb0TrkLvKblcEgB80B2uHTCXyEu5-EKNpJJws6Y-s8ad1f6IqkiGliYrCAQ-Miqt6DnSUJWwBj5SE-lYt037rcYugMsyvbQ/s2124/BDT%20157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="2124" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIbmldNVuL8iFgYKyer98Db1Oiqd9xmKF8SJJTyz39iFTK-QlUub4oWN7xh2VlpV6nbDCCmcunMjsWlUDuoGR_b8SbwPwb0TrkLvKblcEgB80B2uHTCXyEu5-EKNpJJws6Y-s8ad1f6IqkiGliYrCAQ-Miqt6DnSUJWwBj5SE-lYt037rcYugMsyvbQ/w400-h294/BDT%20157.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
made a cast mid-creek with slack in the line to let my bugger drop
deep before swinging. Being the water was waist high deep, about 12
feet from the bank where I was standing, I let the bugger swing all
the way straight down from me. I felt a slight nudge of a tug and my
line quit swinging. I reared back the rod and…</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I set the hook it was if I puncture and ripped a hole in an
overinflated pool raft. The fly line flew out of the water and took
off down and across stream with propelling force. I gripped the fancy
custom cork grip so tight I was hoping I didn’t leave finger
indentations in it. I had the drag set a little on the lighter side
which I’m glad I did.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wasn’t sure how far this fish was taking me but I had at least 100
yards of backing as fly line shot through the rod eyes from the
spinning spool. When the trout slowed down, mid stream and down quite
a ways, I clicked the drag a notch or two tighter holding the rod
with one hand with the butt section against my chest waders. The 4
weight rod arced towards the, now hard tugging trout, down creek. She
tugged her way into the deeper water across creek with a couple of
head shakes. I turned the rod straight down creek and she swam her
way back into the waist to thigh high water. There she struggled with
the line causing water turbulence on the surface with her underwater
yanks and antics. She headed up creek just below the surface so I got
to bring in some line. When she passed me I saw this girthy oblong
shape below the surface water. The sun shown down on it like the spot
light on the main character on stage in a theatrical play. I moved
the rod closer to the water surface not wanting her to break the
surface. She turned and swam down creek with the current.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to get her long body in my net
so I had to make a plan while playing this rainbow. I didn’t want a
bunch of fly line loose in the water so I reeled in line every chance
I got. My first concern was to get her out of the faster current. I
moved the rod to put side pressure on her while backing up towards
the bank. She moved a few feet towards me but still out a ways. For
now I figured I had a good tight hook set from keeping the trout on
thus far but one never knows? For the next minute or so it was like
trying to bring in an old X-large rubber hip boot in the fluctuating
under current. I didn’t want to give her anymore line so when she
swam down creek I waded down creek with her. The pressure of the
arcing rod and line tension got her into the slower water on my side
of the creek but still thigh high water. I had her 12 to 15 feet of
me a couple of times but couldn’t get her within net range. When
she swam down creek I tried to get her onto the shallow stony creek
bed but she didn’t want any part of that and with a swat of her
tail propelled herself away causing the rod to arc more and I’d
have to let tensioned line slip through my pinching fingers. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was a struggle trying to figure out how to ‘get her’.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once,
close by, I had the net coming up behind her. I knew this was kind of
foolish because I needed to get her heavier upper body into the net
first but I was willing to give it a try since she was so close. I
had her drifting backwards with her tail almost in the net ready to
scoop her up when she swatted and swam forward. Instead of heading
midstream she turned between me and the bank. (Since she wouldn’t
get near the stony shallows I was standing in thigh high water.) I
spun with her trying to keep her from tangling any line around me. I
spun 180° as she swam upstream in the slow moving current. I held
the rod high, without giving her any line, until she turned and swam
down creek again. She was tiring after the long battle and didn’t
have the strength any more to forcefully shoot away. I knew I had to
get her head and upper body into the net as much as I could. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
I was like I was on the deck side of a waist high round backyard pool
hooked to a big fish swimming around in it. She stopped and was
holding just above the creek bed like a heel hound laying at my feet.
The 4 weight wasn’t strong enough to force her to rise so I could
net her. She was being stubborn! Holding the rod high she finally
started to drift with the current just down from me. I moved the rod
between me and the bank making her swim into the current. She slowly
swam, following the rod, like a pedigree in the National Dog Show
following it’s handlers lead. I had the net behind her and when I
moved the rod towards the water surface put slack in the line. She
turned down creek and I got her head and upper body into the net
before she could swim around it. I quickly put the rod under my arm
pit and grabbed the upper part of the net lifting her out of the
water. It was like trying to balance a 15lb turkey in one of those
grocery hand baskets to the register line as I was carrying her to the
shore. I got her on the grass and had to get her out of the net so I
could see her head to get the hook out of her mouth. She laid there
without moving. I opened her mouth and unhooked the bugger that was
secured in the roof of her mouth. She didn’t move a muscle like her
mouth had no feeling from a Novocaine shot. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsdlSy1RTOsVDMrERcwq9-1spDth_anBPTNAzhzNBT5OFP_1f3hJI-_TPMhj-WRpxN3fSqgcXRf0v_t2diyAgyuX8ZooROGWkx3UdKG_jOP3C-1YqfkkAdr9XuEqgOr8VP82-TeMF3Lpkev9NYa1O2ir5dS7xkfEqad7JI2jBqpcXEW8Q4o40HhJebA/s2621/BDT%20244a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsdlSy1RTOsVDMrERcwq9-1spDth_anBPTNAzhzNBT5OFP_1f3hJI-_TPMhj-WRpxN3fSqgcXRf0v_t2diyAgyuX8ZooROGWkx3UdKG_jOP3C-1YqfkkAdr9XuEqgOr8VP82-TeMF3Lpkev9NYa1O2ir5dS7xkfEqad7JI2jBqpcXEW8Q4o40HhJebA/w400-h300/BDT%20244a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BSvSsFph5p9-YT4FI6i2olamycEbzCQoO3vPDvhdsScyihu9saRNyBcpOTAw3O8xwRLA_ZqMwWVdsegqu0a4n-geDjCK7S22FOgeU9e1eFqygVxCyY2asn2KpWtd0k1Z_UwXojUp4q_qWiMkzkikTSSSPruTeQGEsEPsh6FVP2hLHhn979FNeIZ9lg/s2621/BDT%20244b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BSvSsFph5p9-YT4FI6i2olamycEbzCQoO3vPDvhdsScyihu9saRNyBcpOTAw3O8xwRLA_ZqMwWVdsegqu0a4n-geDjCK7S22FOgeU9e1eFqygVxCyY2asn2KpWtd0k1Z_UwXojUp4q_qWiMkzkikTSSSPruTeQGEsEPsh6FVP2hLHhn979FNeIZ9lg/w400-h300/BDT%20244b.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
tried to revive her a couple of times holding her into the current. I
held her by the neck of her tail waiting for her to swat her tail and
swim free. I let her go but she just fell to the bottom helplessly. I
tried a second time but her gills were barely moving. I didn’t want
to take her out into deeper water because if she fell to the bottom,
with the current, I might not be able to retrieve her. I reached back
in my vest and actually had a yellow rope in it. </span></span>
</span></p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
remember when I first started steelhead fishing in Erie tribs I was
told I had to have a yellow rope with me. Not that I was ever going
to keep a fish but it was kind of a yearly joke.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyhow,
I didn’t have a knife to gut her and had to carry this heavy trout
all the way back to my truck.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
did get some nice thick fillets and they tasted good with butter and
Old Bay on Saturday for lunch.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9_jUKjMwpnpfNwh2wKZBpOlEsJIIbUtTNqSuyOX7lfjeqpoJdRPa5L1NuwayIwF1mKuexKLq1N6RKJ8cvDRVquy27pPaOnOW_CcHX0BBNxuwkpF1pud9QzZDzm0bXCVFvm5kYRKU-EAP2oTVezN55Mj8gtbMK6xD2QPTSdKPSlDbV81QlokX2PBBFw/s3972/BDT%20244c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="3972" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9_jUKjMwpnpfNwh2wKZBpOlEsJIIbUtTNqSuyOX7lfjeqpoJdRPa5L1NuwayIwF1mKuexKLq1N6RKJ8cvDRVquy27pPaOnOW_CcHX0BBNxuwkpF1pud9QzZDzm0bXCVFvm5kYRKU-EAP2oTVezN55Mj8gtbMK6xD2QPTSdKPSlDbV81QlokX2PBBFw/w400-h278/BDT%20244c.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> That
night I relaxed by the campfire smoking a good cigar and drinking a
couple of beers.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoxhdcSN9d3rAlsfHZK9Oyfjj6nK3xuxlBIaRdZ35RVM5K9uel0ckh0rBxez5J3PVQivmSjhQUmxuUSUkp7-WaAITNpNXUupv1DAWH_DV1Bbm2C1tEF6uZRKdG2YUHl6PxxulaW45bR4iW1LcKwcAGeYWcyUiOz4S6BD7ZE5uxZpw-8hFhuPlcyESrg/s2621/Fire1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoxhdcSN9d3rAlsfHZK9Oyfjj6nK3xuxlBIaRdZ35RVM5K9uel0ckh0rBxez5J3PVQivmSjhQUmxuUSUkp7-WaAITNpNXUupv1DAWH_DV1Bbm2C1tEF6uZRKdG2YUHl6PxxulaW45bR4iW1LcKwcAGeYWcyUiOz4S6BD7ZE5uxZpw-8hFhuPlcyESrg/w400-h300/Fire1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiW3L2Gn0KYTxquFq8yv_tOAIUqm5SB-03VuZwFue3ZSfUZPUY_DZv0Pd2_ZvzJyr7D5f3uD3LskG5rM1IyP5t0pyF2uGZcZEUSXkShPh80rLx3PXc82akqLnF1rcC4FSr1GvZjvVz9HcCp3sNU2UI8-RZZK0MJllJNh6DiAwLdUL3VMm340cWABi_g/s2016/Fire2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1643" data-original-width="2016" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiW3L2Gn0KYTxquFq8yv_tOAIUqm5SB-03VuZwFue3ZSfUZPUY_DZv0Pd2_ZvzJyr7D5f3uD3LskG5rM1IyP5t0pyF2uGZcZEUSXkShPh80rLx3PXc82akqLnF1rcC4FSr1GvZjvVz9HcCp3sNU2UI8-RZZK0MJllJNh6DiAwLdUL3VMm340cWABi_g/w400-h326/Fire2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<p></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-19106692763799367802023-04-28T12:49:00.004-04:002023-05-08T07:30:53.958-04:00Net Worth<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Net
Worth</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4/12/2023</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TOttB8VlYfEh8kNuwqfL-obrE6Ff3BxGa_Vt2jeXTrbJ9pVhN4PtPtRWRmEaIa5-JjnZK5MWT5I8V_MycuITSz_SIPje7hbZyAp1QqdOwqix3p6BnwHrTYZBI_CQ5bhr2iZRO3taUV77maZDQPsoTJVLnt-fhs-JKaw-GJBitkLgNchW5vILfKEHLw/s2621/Fear%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TOttB8VlYfEh8kNuwqfL-obrE6Ff3BxGa_Vt2jeXTrbJ9pVhN4PtPtRWRmEaIa5-JjnZK5MWT5I8V_MycuITSz_SIPje7hbZyAp1QqdOwqix3p6BnwHrTYZBI_CQ5bhr2iZRO3taUV77maZDQPsoTJVLnt-fhs-JKaw-GJBitkLgNchW5vILfKEHLw/w300-h400/Fear%20me.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
put on my chest waders once again. It feels like I’m putting on a
space suite. I double knot my worn wading boot laces. I grab my 9’
5weight Icon rod and jump, well slid, into the seat of my Dodge Ram
and down the road I went.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
caught a few trout the day before but not as if they were stacked up
like a bunch of chickens in the coop waiting to be fed. They weren’t
too active in the cold creek water until I pierced their lips. Then
they acted like they got stung by a bunch of angry swarming bees. One
time I thought I had a snag, and in trying to loosen it, I saw a
flash of a fish roll. If it wasn’t for the sun shining down like a
security motion light I never would have saw the flash. After that
when my Woolly Bugger appeared to get ‘stuck’ I’d jerk the rod
for a hook set. More than not I hooked a trout. My new, long,
teardrop deep net netted the bigger fish without a problem.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVVg5bwkmuZ0rbvHZ4rfUJpe7sgH7xyNEpXPZ-4ayRrwP37csW4Oy0r_Rb3hdOf5vxyzSMtn5gimyh8NmbMpvZ6XGeJDt24Tq7Czk9mGG9ZxozseBjYWRgp69RDIeNQ06wEA37aUiWD3kZl-ux3tC5fDH4OmXhy225kdNC3LNHQ_f0pfSqX5c0UP-aA/s2621/4%2011%20944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVVg5bwkmuZ0rbvHZ4rfUJpe7sgH7xyNEpXPZ-4ayRrwP37csW4Oy0r_Rb3hdOf5vxyzSMtn5gimyh8NmbMpvZ6XGeJDt24Tq7Czk9mGG9ZxozseBjYWRgp69RDIeNQ06wEA37aUiWD3kZl-ux3tC5fDH4OmXhy225kdNC3LNHQ_f0pfSqX5c0UP-aA/w400-h300/4%2011%20944.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdmaFfDjSy0DJ2wfzYmYaMeW9SiN87Y_A5p5hrp0h2Q1Kd95SY55L9TaLsEZUNQB-KbkfaAO9ARVxi5ymbhL8eQRQsK8wg1ybZ8Zn2SyrvheD3YoiSzP1lYHVZu9o1XH_TqYIsO_x0i-MJBLNC6jbtR-IVWQiLeakPBb19N43VBPkuOyMJvK3NiLRjg/s3292/4v%2011%201213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="3292" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdmaFfDjSy0DJ2wfzYmYaMeW9SiN87Y_A5p5hrp0h2Q1Kd95SY55L9TaLsEZUNQB-KbkfaAO9ARVxi5ymbhL8eQRQsK8wg1ybZ8Zn2SyrvheD3YoiSzP1lYHVZu9o1XH_TqYIsO_x0i-MJBLNC6jbtR-IVWQiLeakPBb19N43VBPkuOyMJvK3NiLRjg/w400-h303/4v%2011%201213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSXJEeBNCMPhkfKYlaT-yGxJeWcBoJ83s_m62nKPGAAUlO0r88ozIfAW-q7GWYYiSiNbupCcSDv_Fc-_sorbNF94yThY5hhWjJ9MF4RG3eAAUmrBvIvQvvCJylLYWA8ObEkKIh5bUaRm5otp6xToENhonWWAk_Lj8lf5fALfbjDE9GoOBNf8fOKwNNA/s2621/4%2011%201037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSXJEeBNCMPhkfKYlaT-yGxJeWcBoJ83s_m62nKPGAAUlO0r88ozIfAW-q7GWYYiSiNbupCcSDv_Fc-_sorbNF94yThY5hhWjJ9MF4RG3eAAUmrBvIvQvvCJylLYWA8ObEkKIh5bUaRm5otp6xToENhonWWAk_Lj8lf5fALfbjDE9GoOBNf8fOKwNNA/w400-h300/4%2011%201037.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
stepped out from the grassy bank and into the shallow wavy creek and
felt the cold water flowing around my ankles and shins of my chest
waders. I carefully made my way down creek to deeper water casting a
Woolly Bugger as I moved. There were already two fellows fishing down
stream. One at the deeper honey hole and the other down creek quite a
ways. Maybe 10 to 15 minutes went by before I got within casting
distance of deeper water. Each of the bait fishermen only caught 1
trout each. I started fishing into the deeper section and caught one
nice brown trout. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzuU1Ug0QeuRaTx1QPQLT7vMeKGqm7KfiCukChuI7t_r9OGscBYOuBhXp_yk2UH5a9soMn4ZNNKLG40dmbMJ5SffwUtZfb-tGZKDf205VTy7UcaY5YZNpmsZRwZIH6mxh9OQWlC_cjgKXhxUrEK4QVn4A5r0WKwA_q5da7ZPDXE2jMreh-77lOYJSyQ/s3133/Net%20W%20959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2486" data-original-width="3133" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzuU1Ug0QeuRaTx1QPQLT7vMeKGqm7KfiCukChuI7t_r9OGscBYOuBhXp_yk2UH5a9soMn4ZNNKLG40dmbMJ5SffwUtZfb-tGZKDf205VTy7UcaY5YZNpmsZRwZIH6mxh9OQWlC_cjgKXhxUrEK4QVn4A5r0WKwA_q5da7ZPDXE2jMreh-77lOYJSyQ/w400-h318/Net%20W%20959.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wasn’t sure how long the bait fishermen were there but they hadn’t
caught anymore and didn’t stick around too long. Once the sun
cleared the mountain top it was bearing down like a UV tanning heat
lamp. I figured I’d wade out to remove some clothes before a crowd
shows up, but never did.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back
in the creek I was knee deep, on a flat rock, fishing the honey hole
section. The water around was at least chest deep in front of me and
tapered off waist to knee deep to the riffles. There were plenty of
boulders and nice size rocks strewn along the creek bed in this
section. There were days I’ve watched bait fishermen pull 20-30
trout out between them. Even I’ve had some good 20+ days. The last
few days though the trout just weren’t too hungry I guess? I was
showing the fish everything from nymphs, streamers, wet flies and
even sucker spawn. You would of thought I was trying to get some
spoiled kids to taste the likes of Brussles sprouts, kale or a slice
of liver? They wouldn’t have any of it!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
stepped off the flat rock, in waist high water, and was drifting two
stoneflies as I slowly cast and waded downstream. I wasn’t too far
passed the flat rock when I got a snag, or at least I thought. I made
an easy quick upward wrist jerk to get it released but it didn’t
loosen. Another little harder lift and still nothing. I gave a couple
forceful tugs and felt a wiggle in my arcing rod and the line started
to slowly move outward in the deep section. I thought maybe I had
snagged and loosened a branchy stick from the bottom at first. Then I
felt a waver in the line like a fish tail wavering to keep balance. I
gave a hard tug and with a hard tugging jolt back, the line moved
away at a faster pace. The fish took off up creek then turned down
creek a ways. I knew I had a good size trout on by the feel of it all
but it wasn’t all that frisky, angry or an over aggressive fighting
fish. It felt like I was like trying to drag in a river walleye while
it was using it’s weight and pulling force trying to break the
line. When I netted the nice size rainbow the hook was embedded into
the fat of the trouts lip. Maybe his lips were so numb from the cold
water he didn’t know he was hooked till he felt something pulling
him in the direction he didn’t want to go and he wasn’t sure why?</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMxwo4_hMsK5WbRlOvFJEbRcPk5wfzxPdh5HvztEJS3n4QRa03ks76bC512HxcsAtaMGIk3i4ihR75v9Cn-0ygQFAk0Iw9nzOL9aF2routcruR8ESiJor-TJljouE850eYipUt0Dpcm70NXeJ23uhy0ikuJ1BPi-sSYMv3Wo1MA3XFHnyKQw0LZUEGA/s3146/Net%20W%201122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="3146" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMxwo4_hMsK5WbRlOvFJEbRcPk5wfzxPdh5HvztEJS3n4QRa03ks76bC512HxcsAtaMGIk3i4ihR75v9Cn-0ygQFAk0Iw9nzOL9aF2routcruR8ESiJor-TJljouE850eYipUt0Dpcm70NXeJ23uhy0ikuJ1BPi-sSYMv3Wo1MA3XFHnyKQw0LZUEGA/w400-h354/Net%20W%201122.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
took a while to get my next strike as I leisurely fished my way
downstream. I was waist high in the middle of the creek casting a
Woolly Bugger as far as I could towards the opposite bank. I’d cast
across creek, cutting the cross wind with my fast action rod, and let
the bugger swing deep. A trout grabbed the bugger within seconds
after it hit the water. I yanked back and set the hook. The trout
tussled and fought the line and arcing rod aggressively all the way
to the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgHvi2ITwlcjgPlQ82Y7Ku4v6EuykxNzjfn1kLlXod8nBzmVJE1hYDrhG8gB5Y406gceN2e47fRcDKvJ_w_bG2LpC2t_oCm3HmZzV1tb_Rl1iGUtg0VS5TADAc6TR19jE-y6RAMCcGeUUMOlBRrKGGUsHjVVlMpyf9z5RPYFprY5GQfQ3aJOVcYvjrg/s2621/Net%20W%201214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgHvi2ITwlcjgPlQ82Y7Ku4v6EuykxNzjfn1kLlXod8nBzmVJE1hYDrhG8gB5Y406gceN2e47fRcDKvJ_w_bG2LpC2t_oCm3HmZzV1tb_Rl1iGUtg0VS5TADAc6TR19jE-y6RAMCcGeUUMOlBRrKGGUsHjVVlMpyf9z5RPYFprY5GQfQ3aJOVcYvjrg/w400-h300/Net%20W%201214.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Three
casts later and another trout grabbed the bugger within seconds after
it started to swing. You would of thought these trout haven’t eaten
in days and competing for food as soon as something hit the water.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
rod sections bowed a little more and the forceful tugging was more
than I was willing to risk trying to bring him in right away. I let
tensioned fly line slip through my fingers and let the drag of the
spinning spool keep good tension on the fighting fish. It swam at a
good distance up creek, stopped with a good tugging head shake and
then turned down creek keeping his distance. The rod tip bounced with
liveliness with the quick tugging head shakes and then bowed, tight
lined, pointing toward the fleeing fish. I tightened the drag a
couple of notches and the trout started to swim to my side of the
creek. After a little more of a tussle I had him coming up creek
towards my direction slowly like a remote control toy truck with the
batteries draining. He passed me and swam about 20 feet up creek in
front of me as I tried to keep side pressure on him. I kept him from
swimming up creek any further when i moved the rod down creek. He
rose just below the surface and turned with the current downstream.
The light pink lateral line was easy to see with the sun shining down
like stage lights. He tussled up and down creek as I drew him closer
to the net and then scooped him up. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDFsHCN29eDZ-GorLdtDkEPmwLrGo-kxH-Eh3qS2nkjZVNk0SRaHR0YsFr32zcYXXe-JbjN_e6n_sEJiV9qdFPUsYU_hyS8ekLHhbZdX65RKreP9DGm6LlG8SSo17kK7A-QjuojBRXgU0T_mntWFfpLYEwMCxVSwFX96tEgJlabiSZElz1ByruUpZwA/s4032/IMG_4457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDFsHCN29eDZ-GorLdtDkEPmwLrGo-kxH-Eh3qS2nkjZVNk0SRaHR0YsFr32zcYXXe-JbjN_e6n_sEJiV9qdFPUsYU_hyS8ekLHhbZdX65RKreP9DGm6LlG8SSo17kK7A-QjuojBRXgU0T_mntWFfpLYEwMCxVSwFX96tEgJlabiSZElz1ByruUpZwA/w400-h300/IMG_4457.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well
that deserved a cigar. I reached in my pocket and took out a mild Ave
Maria Toro.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOBXRwUok931nUte2E4IGdnxsEE2LMtRCcTFDqpbxzkeYDd0MmPa2Ewj1Qkqwa0fBbQzlvNwadTmCv7GjAMeWlPWi_aEaj9I6bCN9YGWEaf0A0Rf_ckAhSphqY0q8BT2j0FBOEES3FT4eP7YAz9BhmMVOfPshXgQKktCrRpgWg8iBd0iEWxt8HicXOA/s2621/Net%20W%201216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOBXRwUok931nUte2E4IGdnxsEE2LMtRCcTFDqpbxzkeYDd0MmPa2Ewj1Qkqwa0fBbQzlvNwadTmCv7GjAMeWlPWi_aEaj9I6bCN9YGWEaf0A0Rf_ckAhSphqY0q8BT2j0FBOEES3FT4eP7YAz9BhmMVOfPshXgQKktCrRpgWg8iBd0iEWxt8HicXOA/w400-h300/Net%20W%201216.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Within
the next hour or so I hooked one more trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqUIcwTRy8UlH5hoyff9sjrgVqA2u-Kxo783KrvZXgvT-sqnAjv8aP2Syn68mu2GCKZAHPgjGAXsg5PUhQYqU4rz63aupm8_zE0xkZxm_846k89yeL4KCmYNiUrPQLz_G4vFfe-9vXALyax75JcDJv5dkdUtfWmLuylE_Iw1yrEpxDhmU9qNyjAQR0Q/s2621/Net%20W%20206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqUIcwTRy8UlH5hoyff9sjrgVqA2u-Kxo783KrvZXgvT-sqnAjv8aP2Syn68mu2GCKZAHPgjGAXsg5PUhQYqU4rz63aupm8_zE0xkZxm_846k89yeL4KCmYNiUrPQLz_G4vFfe-9vXALyax75JcDJv5dkdUtfWmLuylE_Iw1yrEpxDhmU9qNyjAQR0Q/w300-h400/Net%20W%20206.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that I hooked the bugger to the rod hook keeper and waded to the
bank. I took a couple of good swallows of water and headed back to
the truck along the path through the scraggly forest.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back
at camp I took a quick nap. I fished just out from the campsite and
finished the day with another nice brown trout. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08nqhBwVBOw23yFSbTm3P8iDpgpJ6GWVafi_LGpjEKUYLPckqZ1peE1TLoX7Gn99UQCXYkeR-oVLu_97uojwcwOJSAA3tAt1-N6IskiaWyO0r_wdryzvs3kJaOIsvF1HxOWurqqkepX7is8Jt7jXygvsQn7JlZbQErGXi_GB_YBhkpJDwLWMmyVNIyg/s2460/Net%20W%20518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="2460" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08nqhBwVBOw23yFSbTm3P8iDpgpJ6GWVafi_LGpjEKUYLPckqZ1peE1TLoX7Gn99UQCXYkeR-oVLu_97uojwcwOJSAA3tAt1-N6IskiaWyO0r_wdryzvs3kJaOIsvF1HxOWurqqkepX7is8Jt7jXygvsQn7JlZbQErGXi_GB_YBhkpJDwLWMmyVNIyg/w400-h304/Net%20W%20518.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
cooked up a dinner of black bean burritos and nachos. A Black Butte
porter tasted great with the Mexican style dinner.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOoTekBKtprHCOqon2U7VrhSCgcWpN7ir-S58viUSiRhcJAf6MD41m2LXm28g8ztcK1FzFx4yjCR3T-jLMk9cFeQa53s-EkE5v2JjCKH06pcEOy4Gwk_ORX5EAajF6B2n4DbqqHIuXibzxB0uo1yTpUz_u9nq1bEbTJCZlJVdr7tE5xRoWz1ilzuqwQ/s2621/4%2012%20dinner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOoTekBKtprHCOqon2U7VrhSCgcWpN7ir-S58viUSiRhcJAf6MD41m2LXm28g8ztcK1FzFx4yjCR3T-jLMk9cFeQa53s-EkE5v2JjCKH06pcEOy4Gwk_ORX5EAajF6B2n4DbqqHIuXibzxB0uo1yTpUz_u9nq1bEbTJCZlJVdr7tE5xRoWz1ilzuqwQ/w400-h300/4%2012%20dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span><br /></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-72975122113774949562023-04-27T00:19:00.001-04:002023-04-27T00:19:24.902-04:00The Demon Made Me Do It<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
Demon Made Me Do It</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4/17/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIY_G-4Q7BwbgFGb6MNAoKW8iBJC-4yl8sxUVAwfcCe915vyp8mWquYsv2Yc09N3VnVP2R56uiteKRRveqCkKrZ3kjp3cDFp1Gl4WcG1H1dYd7cpBQs8jHJzIB_Gj7UYAIQl-aMEb7YnoFA_fVaGTdjIAICoKkMLHkCt4vGEK2oNzLIUIMBPUKlprCg/s2621/SLM%20CR%201004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIY_G-4Q7BwbgFGb6MNAoKW8iBJC-4yl8sxUVAwfcCe915vyp8mWquYsv2Yc09N3VnVP2R56uiteKRRveqCkKrZ3kjp3cDFp1Gl4WcG1H1dYd7cpBQs8jHJzIB_Gj7UYAIQl-aMEb7YnoFA_fVaGTdjIAICoKkMLHkCt4vGEK2oNzLIUIMBPUKlprCg/w400-h300/SLM%20CR%201004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
parked along the dirt road and opened the back door of my quad cab. I
knew I’d be fishing this small brook trout creek and had to decide
which fly rod I was going to use. I looked at my 7 ½’ 4 weight
Powell rod and my 7’ 3 weight Hardy Demon fly rod. A little voice
inside my head said “Take the Demon and give’m hell!”</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve
fished this creek many times before for years. It’s like going on
the same vacation every year to Ocean City Maryland and strolling
down the boardwalk. I know every little shop to check out for a good
find. The buildings my have changed a bit but they are still there.
Kinda like this creek. I know the deeper holes along the banks and
boulders and never forget the shallow riffles brookies might be in. I
start upstream casting a Woolly Bugger and let it drift into deep
pockets around boulders and undercut banks and down logs. Within 10
minutes I hook my first feisty brookie. He fusses and wiggles the 3
weight all the way to the net.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UBjanXRrHjcwgl3NpRv7ybzKOcEe2__0zojx58sz_m5go9ishAawEgKe84QKgbq39-nPb4NpbSTbkY8Z_9v1T5APV7Y-LuSh5nrDAxapyUlZSBPA8romNXpIJJk9d-iQrqUTIRED0l1IxppxITBh77WF5ut0ZF8W9qwd3CFJaAqGU7QQ6O6OquXKDw/s2621/SLM%20CR%20959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UBjanXRrHjcwgl3NpRv7ybzKOcEe2__0zojx58sz_m5go9ishAawEgKe84QKgbq39-nPb4NpbSTbkY8Z_9v1T5APV7Y-LuSh5nrDAxapyUlZSBPA8romNXpIJJk9d-iQrqUTIRED0l1IxppxITBh77WF5ut0ZF8W9qwd3CFJaAqGU7QQ6O6OquXKDw/w400-h300/SLM%20CR%20959.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The
mountain creek water is cold and I’m never above my knees. I’m
careful with my back casts and roll casts not to get tangled up in
the overhanging bare limbs that stretch out from the leafless trees
and bank side brush. It’s quiet and with no one around I can wade
the creek without getting out. I make long casts as not to be noticed
by the brookies.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8TZFVdpGfGd7JMs5b1NmU18YD322WYlGIDkIvHlWPNiZ09jfHJ1kM-w9SV4YPKNrDy9EBCVe3ZZVbCoNVJZJyfmY4CJ1n33QD6wJxlXhitDwNVP594xb6fRjsIWwVs00KoxSEythOgGwWVNewMzHBFQijtV75lnjHBP_jD5rhJSm_1VS_-qMgLYqnA/s3417/SLM%20CR%201050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3417" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8TZFVdpGfGd7JMs5b1NmU18YD322WYlGIDkIvHlWPNiZ09jfHJ1kM-w9SV4YPKNrDy9EBCVe3ZZVbCoNVJZJyfmY4CJ1n33QD6wJxlXhitDwNVP594xb6fRjsIWwVs00KoxSEythOgGwWVNewMzHBFQijtV75lnjHBP_jD5rhJSm_1VS_-qMgLYqnA/w400-h264/SLM%20CR%201050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
pick off a brookie now and then but none in the same hole. They are
spread out like eggs in an Easter egg hunt. I’m not finding them
continuously but every once in a while one takes my offering with a
hard tug. Sometimes I feel a bump as if they hit the tail of my
bugger but miss the hook altogether. I don’t trim the tail shorter
though. If they want it bad enough they have to engulf the whole
thing. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eGYZq4x1IoGLOtyg-ZdmjR_J-_NlUmJIKpuz-FvFOGnEyh5DCsSteiO3YQMUbsrPkhZxp5k0Y-4cqK6RYgf_753q88fascKpigungztf-IUxUaB5I5ZFB0R08hXbHOTKp-YXwmZ6wmd99JJVzwMtUi-oypSxnBRKcbtPkFrIOxEru4X3W1TuHvQCLA/s3069/SLM%20CR%201132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="3069" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eGYZq4x1IoGLOtyg-ZdmjR_J-_NlUmJIKpuz-FvFOGnEyh5DCsSteiO3YQMUbsrPkhZxp5k0Y-4cqK6RYgf_753q88fascKpigungztf-IUxUaB5I5ZFB0R08hXbHOTKp-YXwmZ6wmd99JJVzwMtUi-oypSxnBRKcbtPkFrIOxEru4X3W1TuHvQCLA/w400-h340/SLM%20CR%201132.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It
begins to sprinkle and a cold breeze rattles the bare branches. I put
the hood of my rain jacket over my hat not knowing how long or how
heavy it’s going to rain. The trout don’t care.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqioi7yVVWCcAWYfAYhlxOwDLJQAZQ6FUWZe0G06XbB-y2jrEEMk9_YJypoo7xYz-mY9oadSzIw_lXwj6kMy2vZoHK4XsjvEs2_ur-QmM2LQlA91aLgPWZaQelQIZQvC3RvSiKz6O5xlDFhXPjOmj-St4ll7oVHDDKK603tWBOc6Byel6LlQ1JsZ0ww/s2505/SLM%20CR%201135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="2505" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqioi7yVVWCcAWYfAYhlxOwDLJQAZQ6FUWZe0G06XbB-y2jrEEMk9_YJypoo7xYz-mY9oadSzIw_lXwj6kMy2vZoHK4XsjvEs2_ur-QmM2LQlA91aLgPWZaQelQIZQvC3RvSiKz6O5xlDFhXPjOmj-St4ll7oVHDDKK603tWBOc6Byel6LlQ1JsZ0ww/w400-h383/SLM%20CR%201135.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
long casts prove effective.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> A
deeper section, knee deep or more, I know there’s got to be a
couple that might bite. I tease them with different color Woolly
Buggers and Triple Threat streamers. One nudges the streamer at the
end of the drift. He swats at it but misses. I don’t feel a hard
pull so I let it sway in the current and then bring it towards me
slowly. He can’t resist it’s getting away and grabs it quickly
like a petty thief grabbing a trinket on an open shelf while the shop
owner isn’t looking. Once hooked he fights with tugs as he swims to
and fro. He tries to swim away but I don’t give him any line. He
bounces the arcing rod sections with his quick darts as I cautiously
bring him to the net.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjde2vj063OGVbnSRoCXP122Alzif4QingDqnE-pCwfoUBDTzzUOVjJDRd93tujYZPwxUb9v5QL6tEi21MZyc2N5Sh7AJPFod3-MdPua4Y9AZzy3gnVq4wUb2DpIIDkjqzyXFsNO2nNnzWPYswdW8aRV4NBd30p6-Mh5fAwvDIQgKzr7_zXuGU-F2CvNQ/s3056/SLM%20CR%201157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="3056" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjde2vj063OGVbnSRoCXP122Alzif4QingDqnE-pCwfoUBDTzzUOVjJDRd93tujYZPwxUb9v5QL6tEi21MZyc2N5Sh7AJPFod3-MdPua4Y9AZzy3gnVq4wUb2DpIIDkjqzyXFsNO2nNnzWPYswdW8aRV4NBd30p6-Mh5fAwvDIQgKzr7_zXuGU-F2CvNQ/w400-h359/SLM%20CR%201157.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The
rain comes down a little heavier as dark clouds move across the sky
above. I get to where I usually stop, anyways, and wade out to the
bank. As the heavier drops fall I listen to them hitting the dry
leaves on the forest floor. Drops pitter-patter upon the water
surface. I follow the path, leading upstream, near to where I caught
my first trout. I walk up the hill to my truck. I dash out the butt
of my stogie and head back to camp. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The
solitude of the brookie stream was a nice break from the fast current
and congestion of the bigger creeks.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
short rod and action of the Demon was the right choice. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgV1H1T9uF7KVfkplIU24SSjRur_agU8_nie2m-3xyzekS5N1voREQc5X_0cA1eL4zUF8xSr5qPxjOItLQYV8N-4pWtwMS9vszpu-krZfZlY5mjZhQcgD0X4KTssY5H2xKYrmieWNmA3FSKjHH8Mkvp0wlT1Q5gCWqiHoceV6Mt6T94C7WDcpAbM2ZEA/s2621/SLM%20CR%201152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgV1H1T9uF7KVfkplIU24SSjRur_agU8_nie2m-3xyzekS5N1voREQc5X_0cA1eL4zUF8xSr5qPxjOItLQYV8N-4pWtwMS9vszpu-krZfZlY5mjZhQcgD0X4KTssY5H2xKYrmieWNmA3FSKjHH8Mkvp0wlT1Q5gCWqiHoceV6Mt6T94C7WDcpAbM2ZEA/w400-h300/SLM%20CR%201152.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> ~doubletaper</span></span>
<p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-58642718211854304932023-04-18T11:59:00.001-04:002023-04-18T11:59:55.125-04:00After The Party was Over<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After
The Party was Over</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4/16/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXROm12DZHvDFtn4z8B3K1hJlyfmcQHo_1WPT2HONHKHTq987oRRsfPzvFR_raPttY8oMW_6hmeQ2UFOpoJSLcFsV_y5tepkRWBDWRk1T--eO_NgnFy7th9P_OT2KufjKuHR_bEmqJKErVbFP9-3R113toW_FVllRbxes3KsK2aDAvWcSRExJoV-oEQ/s3680/CR%20221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="3680" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXROm12DZHvDFtn4z8B3K1hJlyfmcQHo_1WPT2HONHKHTq987oRRsfPzvFR_raPttY8oMW_6hmeQ2UFOpoJSLcFsV_y5tepkRWBDWRk1T--eO_NgnFy7th9P_OT2KufjKuHR_bEmqJKErVbFP9-3R113toW_FVllRbxes3KsK2aDAvWcSRExJoV-oEQ/w400-h300/CR%20221.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
can picture an image of a man standing on the bank watching me. He’s
shaking his head and calls out “it’s fished out.” He might be
right or close to it.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From
Friday till this Sunday morning there were at least 7 tents and a few kayaks
in the camp site along the creek. By noon each day more vehicles
showed up. During the day, if I passed by, fishermen were in the
water lined up like a search party waiting for a signal to move
forward. Well, maybe it was nearly fished out but I was sure there
were a few left.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe
the trout, they were fishing for, were tired of the minnows, meal
worms, maggots and wax worms they were being fed? Maybe the trout
were tired of the power bait, salmon eggs and night crawlers? Maybe
there were a few trout that were not after spinning blades or the
conglomeration of other hardware and that they were able to avoid?</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
swing my fly rod behind me and wait till I feel the weight of the
Woolly Bugger load the rod tip section. I move my forearm forward and
stop with a quick wrist. The fly line shoots through the cross wind
followed by the bugger. Out, in the distance, the bugger falls to the
water in a subtle splash. The arc in the floating fly line floats
near the water surface and my offering swings in an arc down creek. I
watch the floating fly line as my sensitive finger tips pinch the fly
line feeling for the slightest strike. I’m not sure if I see the fly
line pull away or my sensitive finger tips feel the strike first.
Most of the time the strike happens so quick my instincts take over
and I yank back the rod while pulling back on the fly line to set the
hook. The fly line straightens and the tapered leader tightens on a
hooked fish. I hold the cork grip tightly letting my pinching
fingers, on the fly line, test the strength of the fighting trout.
How much fight and vigor does this trout have? In he heavy enough not
to try to bring him in too quickly? How much do I let him play the
line before trying to bring him to the net? Evidently this fish
avoided the fishing party!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_pCfjQU5xrwUGcilzWczTzYtIiqojxcaIDV6sLKNi5OKqB0i7RulYNFhk2EvwTOLB9mmLz2yOl2pl0cXIZ4BprrXTOdq9FgW9FEQPpmSimOVUJe9k5hHK0hv95LWsaOb0a1xecgpe_vXjwlRAvawZhv_WwwacYOifovz6ygphmhRyDB-OYvxp9RMnw/s2621/CR%201157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_pCfjQU5xrwUGcilzWczTzYtIiqojxcaIDV6sLKNi5OKqB0i7RulYNFhk2EvwTOLB9mmLz2yOl2pl0cXIZ4BprrXTOdq9FgW9FEQPpmSimOVUJe9k5hHK0hv95LWsaOb0a1xecgpe_vXjwlRAvawZhv_WwwacYOifovz6ygphmhRyDB-OYvxp9RMnw/w400-h300/CR%201157.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
continue to take a few steps at a time casting my offering in the
same manner. Another trout grabs my offering and takes off like
Barnyard Dawg after Foghorn Leghorn only to find out he’s attached
to a secure line! This trout is heavier than the last. We have a good
give and take battle with the tight line between us. I put a nice
rainbow in the net.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy5A19EkM2FyZzyA_ckrjdQ18aY_6POCTWkZzy-f7wSWdTej96sZJQ175Gz_VUvKS2YOlSl6kDM-JWIZ5WiZ-6f_DAimSCjA4CyqtuKNDxKZQ_xm3LpqDTtOz4mLdqokhgsi8RWFQJLvOSkq6wrJbAoMVw9X-idU0lVP3XnSaBhku7AK8IDwJ-u0RcQ/s2621/CR%20231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy5A19EkM2FyZzyA_ckrjdQ18aY_6POCTWkZzy-f7wSWdTej96sZJQ175Gz_VUvKS2YOlSl6kDM-JWIZ5WiZ-6f_DAimSCjA4CyqtuKNDxKZQ_xm3LpqDTtOz4mLdqokhgsi8RWFQJLvOSkq6wrJbAoMVw9X-idU0lVP3XnSaBhku7AK8IDwJ-u0RcQ/w400-h300/CR%20231.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
release the rainbow back into the cold creek water.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
wind blows and filters through my ponytail hanging over my vest.
Smoke swirls off the end of my stogie I hold between my teeth and
vanishes with the breeze. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
look over to the bank where the image of a man stood. I wink at him
and then turn my head. I take another puff of my cigar. I lift the
fly rod and make another back cast with a grin on my face.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH0Rx2-eJ4i6iZFd3BIJv-pBawkvClKvhIpgNzmUvIJ7w97PchHtGcjw9svhQ73_1ce-E5moCrk17hlfUTmYjlb4jyl5yCW1V8m4o5NYdJe4KNO0QDlIw3jXM4Bf_qF-4SAFElkPNsucuoCCDDtD1WlMd8L7Ne81kFX6aFwjWO0dJFKQwUEt-q24b1w/s3446/CR%20245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="3446" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH0Rx2-eJ4i6iZFd3BIJv-pBawkvClKvhIpgNzmUvIJ7w97PchHtGcjw9svhQ73_1ce-E5moCrk17hlfUTmYjlb4jyl5yCW1V8m4o5NYdJe4KNO0QDlIw3jXM4Bf_qF-4SAFElkPNsucuoCCDDtD1WlMd8L7Ne81kFX6aFwjWO0dJFKQwUEt-q24b1w/w400-h296/CR%20245.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span>
<p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-78722964315590199062023-04-08T08:37:00.005-04:002023-04-08T09:23:51.976-04:00My Bigger Net<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My
Bigger Net</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4/04/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg8CNZQRsMHvxkMvMBRs1UokVRBpTUIkiN-WL5E3QcefJ67Ic7utfpgRqY6UQvdprt1wgCBrvICr5axKPg--fS8E8_oO3A_R5h5VfPymAcjzaghrICy3WjimJ1ibyaa-eDCXdLdkvyTCQNfM_0nCKJHnDl9KKYgCN6o8AW9ddwYd1XCZmqh69sKsXvg/s2356/Big%20net.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2356" data-original-width="1767" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg8CNZQRsMHvxkMvMBRs1UokVRBpTUIkiN-WL5E3QcefJ67Ic7utfpgRqY6UQvdprt1wgCBrvICr5axKPg--fS8E8_oO3A_R5h5VfPymAcjzaghrICy3WjimJ1ibyaa-eDCXdLdkvyTCQNfM_0nCKJHnDl9KKYgCN6o8AW9ddwYd1XCZmqh69sKsXvg/w300-h400/Big%20net.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span>‘<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">According
to the gauges Tionesta Creek looked high and flowing fast. I grabbed
my 4wt 7 1/2’ Powell fly rod and took off for a stocked mountain
stream.’</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It
didn’t take too long to put my first trout, since the season opener
in PA, in my new custom made net. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0lcexWh6sWNuF6AAmgMIWElrs2v5zW0eqg1k_e7Dtv1wTAB4GLUqH2UK6oxcdCh9SLXHIov7eCdhUz_mAt9ACijRMQLjnih31dF3uZ-3je6rKWwD0SfQ8eVM3BBHGSAxUv-HmpBSaBojyCn2TFP0nCajY1_OVwvez83MNnPK9HvqsbIezeAKiB6UCg/s2621/1stD%20948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0lcexWh6sWNuF6AAmgMIWElrs2v5zW0eqg1k_e7Dtv1wTAB4GLUqH2UK6oxcdCh9SLXHIov7eCdhUz_mAt9ACijRMQLjnih31dF3uZ-3je6rKWwD0SfQ8eVM3BBHGSAxUv-HmpBSaBojyCn2TFP0nCajY1_OVwvez83MNnPK9HvqsbIezeAKiB6UCg/w400-h300/1stD%20948.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
wanted a bigger and deeper net for when I catch the bigger trout. Not
that I was looking for a more fancier wood but the Birds Eye Maple
caught my eye! With the longer and deeper tear drop I figured would
be a great addition to my fly gear.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
the sun rays broke through the naked hardwood branches the trout
started to become a little more active. Near noon the sun overtook
the cloudy sky and tree tops and it was getting pretty warm. I had
caught enough trout to be satisfied as I fished my way down stream. I
headed for the truck to remove some of my sweaty clothes and decided
to drive down stream to fish another section of water. There was a
van and a couple of guys fishing the section of crick I wanted to
fish so I continued on down stream a little further. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Being
it was a Tuesady I didn’t figure there would be too many
fishermen out. The first day weekend, April 1<sup>st</sup>, was a
washout with rain, high and muddy water. I’m sure the water
conditions weren’t much tolerable here in Western PA., so when I
got out Tuesday I figured there should be lots of stocked trout and
maybe I’ll hook into one of those big ones.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
parked along the roadside and made my way down the steep bank to the
crick. I played around and caught a dozen or so rainbows in a deep
hole near the bank and caught one brown trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_UkYDVtzgO-LgVgsccel9eptgxhZQxywvDTsE1i_82aInih5-FAceyT0XpAyHlpEx-FNY3ZLdUB7BBVWb0bHh5bNCfVn4ZGExjT3N3IssNg9aWZ_g9u_923uFkIfxUL6lbqb70bSbQF-jtdtPUsVN6ECEz3aSV71rkuCxnS1WaR2gcuXZ5SV0OM6mA/s2756/1srD%20100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2533" data-original-width="2756" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_UkYDVtzgO-LgVgsccel9eptgxhZQxywvDTsE1i_82aInih5-FAceyT0XpAyHlpEx-FNY3ZLdUB7BBVWb0bHh5bNCfVn4ZGExjT3N3IssNg9aWZ_g9u_923uFkIfxUL6lbqb70bSbQF-jtdtPUsVN6ECEz3aSV71rkuCxnS1WaR2gcuXZ5SV0OM6mA/w400-h368/1srD%20100.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJYZKOsvyDlABA3FEeKPYH3rSvRbv4Yna93tFA3Lit_divH4k8BpMztao4FptRoxrCwR6b4oXfxclE-26ms2RWB9jucRv_jjtxtcSVoc9_QG6H4qXVM6kiZ5KjLPWFAs-785jCQDYtEjNqyCBTp0tYaagm_gLfJu_3vc96wSC1RMA3jlw-drYygVV-g/s2288/1stD%20158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="2288" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJYZKOsvyDlABA3FEeKPYH3rSvRbv4Yna93tFA3Lit_divH4k8BpMztao4FptRoxrCwR6b4oXfxclE-26ms2RWB9jucRv_jjtxtcSVoc9_QG6H4qXVM6kiZ5KjLPWFAs-785jCQDYtEjNqyCBTp0tYaagm_gLfJu_3vc96wSC1RMA3jlw-drYygVV-g/w400-h204/1stD%20158.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mid
stream and further out looked more inviting with riffling water where
trout would be holding. Where I was I didn’t have room for a back
cast and with the short rod my roll casting ability wasn’t going to
get my streamers out there. I decided to take the long walk
downstream and cross over to the other side. As I walked the bank
upstream I noticed the water was deeper than it looked like from the
other side. I made my stand across crick from where I started from
and started to cast out weighted Woolly Buggers and Triple Threat
streamers. I’d cast towards the middle of the stream and let them
swing deep within the wavy current. The bites didn’t come as quick as
in the deeper hole but came enough to keep me busy while I finished
off my stogie that I started smoking up crick earlier.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUtP4VdqJBnhjkg3qOw9gfAXvPjPuDMISUf7FXXjX7eZxzM7ovNmu9wYBqQFLPFXKN5Z24NZJBXH10kNu6ohNxsFsMoM19dLm-oCz3P5h1x6zdc_FBKQ9zChR-LYhk6fQscEArDyPrX06sxkvuEvT9FBiPElH2sic9YXxmkp5wjXRgdlnrN45lwWsjw/s2621/1stD%201218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUtP4VdqJBnhjkg3qOw9gfAXvPjPuDMISUf7FXXjX7eZxzM7ovNmu9wYBqQFLPFXKN5Z24NZJBXH10kNu6ohNxsFsMoM19dLm-oCz3P5h1x6zdc_FBKQ9zChR-LYhk6fQscEArDyPrX06sxkvuEvT9FBiPElH2sic9YXxmkp5wjXRgdlnrN45lwWsjw/w400-h300/1stD%201218.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p> <br /><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One
swing a fish grabbed the bugger swiftly like an infielder snagging a
line drive. All of a sudden the line tightened and the fish fought
with head shakes under the wavy current. I started to bring him in,
like the other trout, but this one pulled back hard with force. The
rod bowed good and I instantly tightened my grip over the cork
handle. Line zipped through the guides as the tension spool spun.
The 7 1/2’ fly rod flexed with the never ending head shakes. I knew
I had a heavy trout.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
awhile we fought each other like two angry dogs tugging against one
another over a stuffed dog toy. He came to the surface a couple of
times. His rainbow lateral line shimmered under the golden sun like a
red metallic streamer at an outdoor fiesta party. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
knew it would be hard getting him to the net in the fast current in
front of me so I slowly waded down crick to slower current keeping
side pressure on him. He refused to come near the shallow water I was
standing in with quick tail swats and darting away so I waded out
knee deep. Getting him within distance I could tell my ‘bigger’
net would be no problem getting him in it. Close enough, I scooped
him up with one swipe of my hand and carried him to the bank. Yep,
this is what I was looking for!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3URWZe_nLfWJj_7ulWpTmomM9BqgWzgSgP5XIkkWh2OeSByqAsXXr5ZvCrudEG_FJEJw3PUZCMhyTAC7HQY4f0WuouXqEe7yazt1Nvg4_VisYR3zCoHcvEbUPQ048g-iAxzn3NEPWhw6mgWqZxcYtybXtHB2QswgLulvq2sYC5KCKqf24ea-a2Xeiw/s2586/1stD%20235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="2586" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3URWZe_nLfWJj_7ulWpTmomM9BqgWzgSgP5XIkkWh2OeSByqAsXXr5ZvCrudEG_FJEJw3PUZCMhyTAC7HQY4f0WuouXqEe7yazt1Nvg4_VisYR3zCoHcvEbUPQ048g-iAxzn3NEPWhw6mgWqZxcYtybXtHB2QswgLulvq2sYC5KCKqf24ea-a2Xeiw/w400-h261/1stD%20235.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> After
the release I checked my hook, line and knots making sure everything
looked good. I took out an Ave Maria Divinia and lit it up. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkxC1mGI5JB3ZLGsx6p0pdTTDKJLyE2yZg5gzRlPTikuQaSSotKoGs-vI9qWOO7ozSf914sbR3pCoY0-wd9avjzH5LeEKMWKG1sEgqXs-SnOxZfnGz95PWDD2tiJDbKu-fSRFVkmLNxUy6iPhv11J-eJBmKdcgesRyMg7m6khraI-opx3xFqdVq5KRw/s2621/1stD%20237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkxC1mGI5JB3ZLGsx6p0pdTTDKJLyE2yZg5gzRlPTikuQaSSotKoGs-vI9qWOO7ozSf914sbR3pCoY0-wd9avjzH5LeEKMWKG1sEgqXs-SnOxZfnGz95PWDD2tiJDbKu-fSRFVkmLNxUy6iPhv11J-eJBmKdcgesRyMg7m6khraI-opx3xFqdVq5KRw/w400-h300/1stD%20237.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
could again feel the warmth of the sun after my concentration was
dedicated to getting the big rainbow in. I had an appointment with an
insurance agent and I knew I would have to be going soon. It was a
ways down to the shallowest water where I crossed so I slowly started
to fish my way down crick casting the bugger as I went. I caught one
more brown and a frisky, jumpy rainbow before I hooked into another
good size trout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzdNtDw3l7Y7Zm0w9htfAt0XHlDJE8cBHGgtigmCRnCiOoyC1eJijRciiUln1Lc4KiJ_oCVMj4dFWkavFzx8Du0qgHOEBTIFeWyQrTEEQaZxgi4XlPjWt7xLjl7-GUgjiEFzMLKe3cgbkB4iiFccEb0VYZnmCH0s_F3dAkUupXwK2mjRRfOgSend81w/s2621/1stD%20305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzdNtDw3l7Y7Zm0w9htfAt0XHlDJE8cBHGgtigmCRnCiOoyC1eJijRciiUln1Lc4KiJ_oCVMj4dFWkavFzx8Du0qgHOEBTIFeWyQrTEEQaZxgi4XlPjWt7xLjl7-GUgjiEFzMLKe3cgbkB4iiFccEb0VYZnmCH0s_F3dAkUupXwK2mjRRfOgSend81w/w400-h300/1stD%20305.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYqSJ4_LZKbtqORxZBzajNDg-fN_95li0Pi9ypmAHi1vmR06_xnTzmXKtLPKt0NXxjqMpor6qh234t3Aj3wjdMAYPFnI9X7sMbA_KCW6Xrf2jgXFe5yozfwiU0ehbsBUsTkRemasdnfby8rI5Yt3cWzy-Q8eyAM9yUf3fm9KZVTpQv23Aid_35ZRi8Q/s2800/1stD%20248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="2606" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYqSJ4_LZKbtqORxZBzajNDg-fN_95li0Pi9ypmAHi1vmR06_xnTzmXKtLPKt0NXxjqMpor6qh234t3Aj3wjdMAYPFnI9X7sMbA_KCW6Xrf2jgXFe5yozfwiU0ehbsBUsTkRemasdnfby8rI5Yt3cWzy-Q8eyAM9yUf3fm9KZVTpQv23Aid_35ZRi8Q/w373-h400/1stD%20248.jpg" width="373" /></a><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
just had the bugger swaying beneath the surface down stream when I
felt a bump. I pulled back to set the hook. All of a sudden there was
an eruption of water down stream where my bugger should have been.
Water splashed in all directions as a fish stirred the water surface.
Then he went deep and took off like a feral cat let out of an animal
box trap. I could feel his weight within my gripped hands and thought
‘here we go again!’</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
one was wilder than the big trout earlier I hooked. I wasn’t sure
if he was trebled hooked before and got loose after an extensive
battle but he wanted no part of me or a long fight. He fought tooth
and nail and came to the surface a couple of times with tugging force
trying to loosen the hook. There were times I was worried he was
going to break loose as he darted towards me and than shot outward.
The line would twang in a loose than tight state when he turned and
took off. The 4 weight kept up with him flexing and holding tension
most of the battle. He didn't want any part of the net but I
eventually got him in it. He wasn’t as long as the white bellied
rainbow I caught earlier. His darker spotted completion and darker
underside have me believing he was a holdover from some years back.
His ruby gill plate and darker reddish lateral line was faint
compared to the bigger rainbow that looked like it just came from the
beauty salon and make up artist.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
was pretty active in the net so I got a quick picture and let him go.
Maybe now he’ll be more cautious picking his meals?</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhoUJVT0h3ShZ1RN8n1-j9wmYNbTuWNxtOysgCb5sgzhp_Y69FQtmFpPx8OHDHKnuu_SWNhIEnj_OPjGgidJyCWRhn2jhHjnICrxTAHzU_uuWUvNREKaxUGcRTthQB5_nk7hPyNU5YxJIY6Cgx9DxFSPil1FKnpEktGUzNuLuf-YDAlTQX4lVz-Lr-Q/s3532/1stD%20315a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2978" data-original-width="3532" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhoUJVT0h3ShZ1RN8n1-j9wmYNbTuWNxtOysgCb5sgzhp_Y69FQtmFpPx8OHDHKnuu_SWNhIEnj_OPjGgidJyCWRhn2jhHjnICrxTAHzU_uuWUvNREKaxUGcRTthQB5_nk7hPyNU5YxJIY6Cgx9DxFSPil1FKnpEktGUzNuLuf-YDAlTQX4lVz-Lr-Q/w400-h338/1stD%20315a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back
at the truck I changed into driving clothes and put my gear away
while enjoying an Amstel Light. I finished off token on my stogie on
the drive home.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The
bigger net came through and was just what I was hoping for!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2Dud8nQ88roisuLUMjqYlOrL7Zvfb8fhMwqf7pbAZNaLItnTW5mLjeDzB38d0X0qf3TPpGFtOB87-cmHVVkZ8Eq3yyDVXOJ4S6fHOVjzae_2URe91ycTzT5FdXi464sErCimWg-Al9MsRWNClZ8uO7MILzPNjeCoB0lsBqIhOH8z0hilvCZD4YSNvg/s2941/1stD%20235a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2555" data-original-width="2941" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2Dud8nQ88roisuLUMjqYlOrL7Zvfb8fhMwqf7pbAZNaLItnTW5mLjeDzB38d0X0qf3TPpGFtOB87-cmHVVkZ8Eq3yyDVXOJ4S6fHOVjzae_2URe91ycTzT5FdXi464sErCimWg-Al9MsRWNClZ8uO7MILzPNjeCoB0lsBqIhOH8z0hilvCZD4YSNvg/w400-h348/1stD%20235a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> ~doubletaper</span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYqSJ4_LZKbtqORxZBzajNDg-fN_95li0Pi9ypmAHi1vmR06_xnTzmXKtLPKt0NXxjqMpor6qh234t3Aj3wjdMAYPFnI9X7sMbA_KCW6Xrf2jgXFe5yozfwiU0ehbsBUsTkRemasdnfby8rI5Yt3cWzy-Q8eyAM9yUf3fm9KZVTpQv23Aid_35ZRi8Q/s2800/1stD%20248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
</div></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-79160152461698125552023-03-03T10:00:00.005-05:002023-03-03T10:04:48.736-05:00Plan B, Steelhead<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Plan
B, Steelhead!</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3/02/23</span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx7A-xFU1u_Nf6syIAIelMbYD37X8D6Wd2VUQLBZWcrJxcifoC83EqZ3dpxDWhzanCNnpbaFA_zqN5kjxOpY9RAwOJ678UAVlHouR9qVxjUAJVmFERnzh9_5UWZtzysSopq33OY50HAu3IE5WgdBCow6S65T39ORSmdGW64mTFxEhq9beeVBGTqlTaA/s3980/Mar930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1881" data-original-width="3980" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx7A-xFU1u_Nf6syIAIelMbYD37X8D6Wd2VUQLBZWcrJxcifoC83EqZ3dpxDWhzanCNnpbaFA_zqN5kjxOpY9RAwOJ678UAVlHouR9qVxjUAJVmFERnzh9_5UWZtzysSopq33OY50HAu3IE5WgdBCow6S65T39ORSmdGW64mTFxEhq9beeVBGTqlTaA/w400-h189/Mar930.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">It
was a chilly morning when I awoke. My plan was to dust off my trout
rods and hit Oil Creek for trout for the day. When I checked the USGS
gage height it was rising due to the rain overnight. I switched my
thinking to plan B and decided to head to Erie for steelhead.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was in the upper 30’s when I parked behind the only truck along the
roadside. It was suppose to warm up to the upper 40’s later on. I
was surprised there weren’t more vehicles due the fact I got a late
start. I filled my Eddie Bower jacket with fishing needs and
assembled my 7 weight fly rod and reel. I grabbed a bottle of water,
a few cigars and headed down to the creek.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhEYEQS37QsdWD_bkrM8YSlddBa1GJcBiFNI2Fz36HJAsepWRY-qGTaQwJWbHb-p3TTKL1LvAaQDF6fSD2C1E39JQK0cPI-JJQbP0WgxCj3TFfyQc8bUKkszRKpUOeXtZqq3nlwHhFUYfqIg3pVeARhISsv6l0FxXGupyDYc_3MsmluDyMe2vJ8PGnQ/s2621/Eddie%20jack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhEYEQS37QsdWD_bkrM8YSlddBa1GJcBiFNI2Fz36HJAsepWRY-qGTaQwJWbHb-p3TTKL1LvAaQDF6fSD2C1E39JQK0cPI-JJQbP0WgxCj3TFfyQc8bUKkszRKpUOeXtZqq3nlwHhFUYfqIg3pVeARhISsv6l0FxXGupyDYc_3MsmluDyMe2vJ8PGnQ/w300-h400/Eddie%20jack.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I walked upstream, along the bank, I searched for shadows of
steelhead as I went along. The water was stained and moving fast in
the narrow sections but the water level was just about perfect in my
opinion. I came upon the fellow that owned the truck I parked behind.
He said he lost one already. He mentioned he was up here a few days
ago and didn’t see many fishermen then either. I crossed the creek
a couple of times before I got to where I wanted to fish. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
wavy water was strong as it flowed and emptied into a deeper section.
The current flow changed constantly as water rushed and then settled
some below. I was able to distinguish some of the under water ledges
of slate rock below the surface nearer to me but out further was
questionable. I’ve fished this section many times before so I was
familiar with the water, but the changing current flow would be
puzzling at times.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
started casting a streamer but wasn’t getting any results. I
switched to tandem sucker spawn and on one drift missed a hook up
after seeing a steelhead roll beneath. I kept at it and finally got
my first good hook set early in the competition. It was a wild ride
as the fresh steelhead gave me a run for my money. It wasn’t a huge
fish but it had a lot of spunk. He shot out of the water a couple of
times shaking it’s head trying to release the hook. His chrome
sides gleamed like the chrome pipes of my Harley each time he rose.
He circled the area in haste like someone searching for a parking
space not wanting to be late for the opening ceremonies! I got him
clutched in my glove eventually and after a quick pic let him slip
out of my hand back into the creek. It’s always a great feeling
getting the first fish in early.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJihFEa-w6b198dPP93lmmubP8t7DC9wsuAGig4hcQkfF9Dq7wDXsvsyQkgM0D9MCQmAvcmw1_1MSH658DGRHR1VJH_6jq_Nb3ZnggncuPSLA1iBGiFVNJz-Agl2BGPuWWSratc0v5ncOpZlj-FplQlJe76QxzKpDRcGyamXJ67BIDUVhh9aowHl-rdg/s4032/Mar918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJihFEa-w6b198dPP93lmmubP8t7DC9wsuAGig4hcQkfF9Dq7wDXsvsyQkgM0D9MCQmAvcmw1_1MSH658DGRHR1VJH_6jq_Nb3ZnggncuPSLA1iBGiFVNJz-Agl2BGPuWWSratc0v5ncOpZlj-FplQlJe76QxzKpDRcGyamXJ67BIDUVhh9aowHl-rdg/w400-h300/Mar918.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> My
next steelhead was an older male!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Again
I was changing colors and drifting two sucker spawns. I wasn’t
getting any more hits for a time so I added a little more weight to
get my spawn down deeper. Because of the cross currents I wasn’t
using an indicator and was holding the rod out trying to keep the fly
line from the current in front of me. Now I know why guys use 11 foot
rods. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
watched my fly line pull upstream and reared back to set the hook. A
heavy load was at the end as the rod bowed deep into the middle
section and kept its arc as the fish took off up into the fast
current. He turned sharply and headed to the slower current across
stream before heading down creek with sharp tugs and pulls. I put the
rod butt in my gut holding the rod up with both hands. After it took
line downstream and turned I quickly tightened the drag a bit. I
palmed the spool also keeping as much tension on him as possible
without wanting the hook to come free. I had 8lb fluorocarbon tippet
so I wasn’t afraid of the line snapping. During the fight he came
to the surface a couple of time slashing and splashing water all over
the place. I kept the butt of the rod into my gut as he thrashed and
swam around, my rod tip arced and followed his direction. He swam
back into the oncoming faster current and held there for a short
spell. I looked behind me for my net and it wasn’t too far from me
on the bank. I was glad I had it unfolded but now I had to get to it.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During
the action I was able to wade backwards to the bank towards my net
keeping in the fish in the deeper section but the current was pretty
strong and the rod arced pretty deep so I wanted to get him out of
the faster current to give me time to get to my net. I had him coming
towards me when I reached my net. Into the shallower water, still
knee deep, he turned and took off away. I let him have line so I
could get a hold of my net. With my long handled net cradled under my
armpit I waded back out a bit and played the big guy trying not to
give him any more line.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> “<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
how was I going to get him into the net by myself”?</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
was still putting on a pretty good fight using the cross currents to
his advantage. I had him near with the rod as high as I could and
tried to let him back tail into the net. Maybe his tail brushed
against the net because all of a sudden he took off upstream in a
hurry like his tail was on fire. I released my finger, holding the
fly line against the cork, and let him travel up into the on coming
current. There was no way of getting this big guy into shallow water.
Holding the net with one hand into the oncoming current wasn’t an
easy task all the while using the other hand trying to guide the
steelhead in it. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
waded down creek a bit in slower current. I got him across from me
and began to reel him in closer with the net cradled under my right
arm. Kind of awkward, being I’m right handed, I was playing the
fish with my left hand on the rod while my right hand was controlling
the net due to the fact I was facing the water flowing from my left
to my right. I had just about a couple of inches of fly line, out of
the tip top, when I raised the rod tip. He followed the pressure with
his tail swaying as if feeling behind him. Once close to the net I
dropped the rod some and, before he could feel the net, I swooped him
in!! For looking a little beat up from the steelhead run up creek he
put up a great fight.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rEGxf2UX9FG_V5aSAxgKxLTX0qkjBKdRdTRuZZwioVBRjyCuSqTGzzCMYSBq1O9ZU-CH7afnrvruPX8tBNhXurbSLeVAJI5Lho5hlTTRlr8pK70smbY3ufniHDamZdLu506dT8qi55nn-BPdQV2nIjZD_lJUDy8Ph-7J3_bMvLxz8C-qYjpKGuV1-g/s4032/Mar931.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rEGxf2UX9FG_V5aSAxgKxLTX0qkjBKdRdTRuZZwioVBRjyCuSqTGzzCMYSBq1O9ZU-CH7afnrvruPX8tBNhXurbSLeVAJI5Lho5hlTTRlr8pK70smbY3ufniHDamZdLu506dT8qi55nn-BPdQV2nIjZD_lJUDy8Ph-7J3_bMvLxz8C-qYjpKGuV1-g/w400-h300/Mar931.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
kept at it, since the bite seemed to be on, not wanting to take the
time to grab another cigar. I caught one more frisky chromer before
the steelhead bite abruptly stopped.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6yVzxYZVKuCKmxt7IpO2EtJfHjY1G6yNV_yJ7SvtQ3kIAWY09GMxP1zURbdG16kiPdBJM_nxwoQapAzcpH17yLM2_DEu8GtBBxoPmTUX4mlXuHGR7leic6uiNQcGSazp-ZI-u0fXaxGSKbhOdpLeKvfvkiOmshICJpfXG5udgdCNYvEE48NMGkpzew/s3409/Mar1015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="3409" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6yVzxYZVKuCKmxt7IpO2EtJfHjY1G6yNV_yJ7SvtQ3kIAWY09GMxP1zURbdG16kiPdBJM_nxwoQapAzcpH17yLM2_DEu8GtBBxoPmTUX4mlXuHGR7leic6uiNQcGSazp-ZI-u0fXaxGSKbhOdpLeKvfvkiOmshICJpfXG5udgdCNYvEE48NMGkpzew/w400-h170/Mar1015.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that release I took the time for another cigar. I pulled out an Ave
Maria Divinia. I knew the mellow full body smoke would last a while
and the sun grown Habana wrapper and Nicaragua filler would be
tasteful. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUPSWA3dlQMg2JuuCgEumX-AZuljplwjmyAOohV3vrW7tJr-UhE2b23ukS6SeDBgAScfHaWgVFqUdITCzdI996nuhnDrkW7uE2QVIAl4oDPNLyK7TrXpTgWzQGQ5JB7t0_U8mm9C49oLhZaspEt0sfICQuqRR_vxu8H0clCEcrAM36JR8-p1GLFiTOg/s2621/Mar1112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUPSWA3dlQMg2JuuCgEumX-AZuljplwjmyAOohV3vrW7tJr-UhE2b23ukS6SeDBgAScfHaWgVFqUdITCzdI996nuhnDrkW7uE2QVIAl4oDPNLyK7TrXpTgWzQGQ5JB7t0_U8mm9C49oLhZaspEt0sfICQuqRR_vxu8H0clCEcrAM36JR8-p1GLFiTOg/w400-h300/Mar1112.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was nearing noon and I thought maybe, with the sun out and dampening
the chill of the morning, that more steelhead might get active. Well
that didn’t happen. In fact all of a sudden I was catching smolts
and a lot of them. They were grabbing the different color sucker
spawn like kids eating fruity gumdrops at the movie theater! </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later
on I hooked into one steelhead in fast, wavy water upstream in a
different section of water but lost him. I talked to a couple of
fellows and they said they were catching a lot of smolts also. (I
couldn’t imagine how many minnows they fed them?) </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
4:00 I headed to the truck. I changed out of my fishing clothes,
grabbed a snack and relaxed in my truck before heading back home.
After a refreshing drink I took out a Fuente Double Chateau for the
ride home!!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~doubletaper <br /></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-36587522798238898022023-01-13T07:34:00.002-05:002023-01-13T07:34:35.764-05:00Finicky Steelhead<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finicky
Steelhead</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1/11/2023</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkGfb_ighHyOONZAEzylvFPBc6X-YJG29EfZkaTdTfcEz0t1XvQ8KXiJFtxfKvCXY2p0fntbj-WEiCILyG7JW3RZ0-Cfae6Q8XhtiJRwZymkiHnT3ats7YMnRNuaxsf0gxUbruDAmtgMPDA_zF3Op2SuX9S_uLvV8WR9ppNEWbvOwfqyhHgHePNJxNg/s2621/242smoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkGfb_ighHyOONZAEzylvFPBc6X-YJG29EfZkaTdTfcEz0t1XvQ8KXiJFtxfKvCXY2p0fntbj-WEiCILyG7JW3RZ0-Cfae6Q8XhtiJRwZymkiHnT3ats7YMnRNuaxsf0gxUbruDAmtgMPDA_zF3Op2SuX9S_uLvV8WR9ppNEWbvOwfqyhHgHePNJxNg/w400-h300/242smoke.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> ‘<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On
my second cast, with a Triple Threat streamer, I thought I had a snag
on a ledge. I reared up and a steelhead rolled beneath the wavy fast
current…..’</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was a busy hunting season and visiting Holiday that I hadn’t been
up To Erie to fish for steelhead. The weather and climate wasn’t
very cooperative after the Holiday season either. Looking like more
favorable conditions I called Kevin and we made plans to hit the
creek on Wednesday. When I left my house the truck thermometer read
18°. By the time we got to Erie it was around 34°. There was
already 2 vehicles aside the dead end street we parked behind. We
were still getting on our waders and gear ready when a crew cab truck
backed in behind me. 4 guys got out of the truck in their brown
neoprene’s like circus clowns out of a clown car. They grabbed
their spinning rods and hurried across the road to the creek like
they were some kind of firemen rushing to maintain a brush fire. We
just took our time, made sure we had all we needed for the day, and
headed to the creek.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
we walked along the path, upstream, we saw the water was low and
clear. There were a couple of fishermen here and there in likely
deeper holes I had fished before. When we crossed the creek to where
I wanted to start there was no one on the side of the creek we wanted
to fish from. There were two fellows on the other side casting
minnows on noodle rods. For the rest of the day we had the ‘hole’
to ourselves.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
one guy using minnows just got done putting a steelhead on a stringer
by the time Kevin and I got our packs on the shore and into shin deep
water to start to fish. I casted up into the wavy fast current with a
Triple Threat streamer and watched my fly line drift quickly with the
current. I had a couple of split shots on the get the streamer down
quickly as the fast wavy current emptied into a deep section. I could
see below there was a ledge and I was hoping I wouldn’t get snagged
up. On my second cast the fly line angled up stream after it floated
passed the ledge and I figured I caught the ledge. When I reared up
on the rod my line tightened slightly and I saw a steelhead roll
below the surface. He must have grabbed my offering but I missed
hooking him. I made another cast in the same fashion and watched
again my fly line. This time the steelhead wasn’t going to let my
minnow looking offering get away. He grabbed and took off just about
hooking himself but I gave an extra tug to make sure as he sped away
like a fox on the run. The line cut threw the water surface as he
raced towards midstream and down towards the far bank. I held the
cork grip tightly with the rod bowed half into the midsection. The
fight was real!! Back, midstream, he paused and came to the surface
with head shakes splashing water all around him. I could feel the rod
tremble within my gripping fists with the on line activity. He went
under and fought hard before I got him close enough for Kevin to net
him. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeih6vEgkzF3eYX2RU4eKLooA8l9BtmwK5ImrkBKXyKP7NcJ4a6KC9N20pT5kTBUjOs_qhcJLfToCQnmz3Z-UX8IlWZDXaJaZloE0n0-sTlPjFIQto-z522noolouPhCxQshjxYZJUurCKkklr71S8ufcFr6oKDcsWIFJs_300ygDLksazdzTLr5cxbg/s3878/911%20Jansteel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="3878" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeih6vEgkzF3eYX2RU4eKLooA8l9BtmwK5ImrkBKXyKP7NcJ4a6KC9N20pT5kTBUjOs_qhcJLfToCQnmz3Z-UX8IlWZDXaJaZloE0n0-sTlPjFIQto-z522noolouPhCxQshjxYZJUurCKkklr71S8ufcFr6oKDcsWIFJs_300ygDLksazdzTLr5cxbg/w400-h249/911%20Jansteel.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It
was only a little passed 9 and I thought we were going to have a
super fun steelhead catching day. I was wrong. It took till around
2:30 that I finally got another good hook up. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the long pause that you wait for the steelhead to bite it gets you
thinking. You notice your feet get colder more often. You step out
now and then when you tie another offering on to get out of the cold
water and to move your feet for circulation. You contemplate to go
somewhere else since the steelhead aren’t biting during that long
pause but do you really think they’re biting somewhere else? Even
so, there might be other fishermen in the next deep hole and the next
one and next one. You have fish right in front of you. They have to
get hungry sometime don’t they?</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
get myself through the boredom I’ll light another cigar and start
conversations with the guys across stream. You bring up subjects in
the short spurts of conversation until you find something in common.
This makes time fly by a little faster and keeps you from being annoyed
that the fish aren’t biting.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
sun came out and started to ascend behind the guys across the creek,
behind the leafless tall trees. It’s rays filtered through the bare
branches casting shadows upon the surface water. Maybe once the sun climbs
high enough and shines directly on the water it might heat it up
enough to activate the lazy steelhead, maybe or are they just being
finicky? Even the guys across the creek weren’t fairing any better
with their salted minnows. At times we could see the oblong steelhead
below swimming but ignoring what we had to offer. When the guys
called over that they were leaving and started to walk away is when I
got a steelhead to take a sucker spawn I had been drifting. It felt
like he swiped it on the move as it drifted down stream. He continued
on his way across creek, after taking the spawn, and fought hard
towards the far bank. I was starting to gain line and had him mid
stream coming towards me. With a burst of energy he turned and darted back
towards the far bank. All of a sudden I felt the arcing rod flex
upwards and my combination of sucker spawns flew back at me. I lost
him.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
Kevin went to the other side of the creek to fish from I had my next
fair hook up. I was able to see three or four fish deep just out in
front of me. They were holding deep just on the flats behind a ledge.
They were just visible enough to see they weren’t hugging the
bottom under the fast wavy current. The water was still pretty deep
and with the indicator on I wasn’t sure if my offerings were
getting down fast enough to them. I took my indicator off and, being
they weren’t that far out, started to high stick the sucker spawn
towards them as if nymph fishing. On occasion I would see one move as
my offerings passed by but I wasn’t sure if they were moving out of
the way or taking a look see. I had no fly line touching the surface
so my offerings were drifting free of any drag. I saw and felt the
leader lighten just slightly and I raised my rod up for a hook set.
The upper section arced and I could see a steelhead beneath the
surface in front of me head shaking the tight line. I suppose, seeing
he wasn’t going to shake the hook set loose, he scooted out in the
main body of water and half showed himself coming headfirst breaking
the surface. He splashed water with the commotion before swimming
deep and down creek further. I slowly waded in the shin deep water
down with him trying to keep side pressure on him to tire him out. He
wrangled and carried on downstream swirling the surface water that I
could pinpoint where he was in the shallower water. Once he settled
his head shaking disturbances he currycombed around like he was
searching for a way to break free. His weight and persistence, using
the current for support, made him too heavy for me to gain much
ground getting him towards me for some time. When he started to swim
upstream I was able to bring him closer. Kevin was on the other side
of the creek so I didn’t have him to help net him. I got him to the
shallowest water near me but when he felt the stones beneath he
scampered back out in deeper water like a groundhog seeing its
shadow. The rod arced towards his jaunt so I gave him line while I
waded along the bank to grab my net. It took a few encouragements
before I was able to net him.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmXe3W-taVyKSP695qAzxCddpPXqKhyXo9-3Cj0ZRqztVd_8Cyloe9qVvMv7e-1toYA6BniH2zViFRtz8FCXJvNb8B6LWPStvoqXYUtKm-VNY5QTXQhkvpH7EKWSBckKrmHlf3ncstS-YAVt1e69OqgC62is7EWO0jfoAYktdv4J6aDeQpnceK7q8eg/s2621/235Jansteel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmXe3W-taVyKSP695qAzxCddpPXqKhyXo9-3Cj0ZRqztVd_8Cyloe9qVvMv7e-1toYA6BniH2zViFRtz8FCXJvNb8B6LWPStvoqXYUtKm-VNY5QTXQhkvpH7EKWSBckKrmHlf3ncstS-YAVt1e69OqgC62is7EWO0jfoAYktdv4J6aDeQpnceK7q8eg/w400-h300/235Jansteel.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> After
that Kevin hooked up a couple of times. We weren’t sure if they
were fair hooks or not but the one gave him a run for the money
before the hook let loose and he came up empty. I hooked up again
also. I thought I had him by the mouth when the big dingy colored
male burst up out of the water head first. Once beneath he gave a
hard head shake and was gone leaving me fishless. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
next catch was out quite a bit towards the far bank. I would give a
big mend upstream when my sucker spawn fell to the water. I tried to
keep my fly line off the quick current in front of me by extending my
arm out and rod above the fast current. I saw my fly line tighten
before I actually felt any pull and yanked the rod back. The hook
found a grip and a battle ensued. He fought well like the others and
I had to wade downstream again to keep side pressure on him to tire
him out. I was pretty far down creek from my net but couldn’t get
him to swim upstream hardly at all. He put up a good fight thus far
and I decided to try and beach him. He was pretty tired out, or just
gave up some, when I was able to bring him in the shallows on an
island of stones. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
couldn’t see the sucker spawn in his mouth very well so I grabbed
the neck of his tail with my glove net and carried him to the bank so
I could make it easier to find and unhook the sucker spawn.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lgiXRjMm_EHRB0K3HfnEtXerwLzL-mo21F_dQQS30YvGaC6oHFzfUcl8lzX3i-zGCzIqmUiSvfjwvZi0EeStzorocH6eHYnU1VREh7kAvMQxRzKIyM9F5AcjyoQuuVFSSchOplqB5S0j4kv_Uvn-QjLl3DV_Vwn-Lua2XwsxeXEEB3QBfLUWgXa-yw/s4032/303Jansteel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lgiXRjMm_EHRB0K3HfnEtXerwLzL-mo21F_dQQS30YvGaC6oHFzfUcl8lzX3i-zGCzIqmUiSvfjwvZi0EeStzorocH6eHYnU1VREh7kAvMQxRzKIyM9F5AcjyoQuuVFSSchOplqB5S0j4kv_Uvn-QjLl3DV_Vwn-Lua2XwsxeXEEB3QBfLUWgXa-yw/w400-h300/303Jansteel.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> After
that Kevin waded down creek and came back up over to my side. I told
him the location I was hooking the fish and gave him the spot. In the
meantime I fished downstream from him and hooked one more for the
last time. He wasn’t that big but he fought well. I banked him also
but I had evidently left my forceps back at the net where I unhooked
my last steelhead. When I got the steelhead beached I was able to see
the sucker spawn just at the side of his mouth and easily slipped it
out without much trouble. I pushed him back into the shallow water
and he swam away with a sore lip. We fished a little longer till
about 4:00 and decided to head back. We saw a few fish in spots while
walking and wading. Kevin tried for them while I watched and then
headed down creek. My arm and shoulder was sore and being I caught a
few already, wasn’t as excited to try and catch, or waste time,
being ignored by the finicky steelhead. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
got back to the truck and called it a day!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-37131235570630046662022-12-11T08:44:00.001-05:002022-12-12T06:50:02.802-05:00Diary; 3 Days Steelhead<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Diary;
3 Days Steelhead</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11/15-11/17/2022</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrogOEh7t8No9OSYvtiPbZ0aVosKtGqmvc9GssBEpqPW1lwuN-EYAuxdDJWXRtqH0wnG9kUUQsyQJyphmHLiL4SZ-j4rSSsFlUV2A156r4I5Tv8EtTvfJTb8ir7FAeIAkmmYpXBpPzL7Y3tsWHCZ-AOZFa-EEG5jPFffx1MrYQXPMmyPEyysTveYPwBQ/s2621/alex%20snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrogOEh7t8No9OSYvtiPbZ0aVosKtGqmvc9GssBEpqPW1lwuN-EYAuxdDJWXRtqH0wnG9kUUQsyQJyphmHLiL4SZ-j4rSSsFlUV2A156r4I5Tv8EtTvfJTb8ir7FAeIAkmmYpXBpPzL7Y3tsWHCZ-AOZFa-EEG5jPFffx1MrYQXPMmyPEyysTveYPwBQ/w300-h400/alex%20snow.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11/15/22</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
setting up the camper at Folly’s End Campground I got my fishing
gear together and headed out to get some late evening steelhead
fishing done. It was around 3:00 so I knew I had only a couple of
hours before dark so I didn’t go far. I parked along side of the
road and was the only truck there. While I was getting my gear on
another truck stopped at the end of the road and left a fisherman
off. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Down
at the creek there were a couple of other fishermen at the first good
deep section. I walked up the trail looking for fish. I knew a good
hole where steelhead usually hold so I continued on, waded across the
creek and headed upstream. There was one other fisherman there and we
had the section to ourselves. In the next couple of hours he landed 2
nice steelhead, lost one and rolled one. He was using single eggs. I
landed two, lost one and rolled one also. The other guy netted the
bigger one I caught being it was aggressive and I had a hard time
landing him by myself.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL0Z7gadxwSliW2N0TTPRxUsVBghYrJa_7RIjhV2OFBvKDxWlxafidyjoJjjOcIsKd3s5iCmns9LaUri8aNXl_cqBue67G9vsli1ujgjkF1yzIkcOgm8D7S-f-rFgx86mAJRAaB7ymJJx4WefEgaugGPzbt0s64w6k6rMMVxNm9g9UITFoMiLb-Awfw/s2621/11%2015%20SH%20430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL0Z7gadxwSliW2N0TTPRxUsVBghYrJa_7RIjhV2OFBvKDxWlxafidyjoJjjOcIsKd3s5iCmns9LaUri8aNXl_cqBue67G9vsli1ujgjkF1yzIkcOgm8D7S-f-rFgx86mAJRAaB7ymJJx4WefEgaugGPzbt0s64w6k6rMMVxNm9g9UITFoMiLb-Awfw/w300-h400/11%2015%20SH%20430.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7geXf1vZquO9uxUBYtcp5kZcqeeXHT35DMB4AFkvDFUF_zBwOhslJtVeU5dlchVNJN1zdR6WG1VpgM_0UemEV18bvFEhGsrNg4NKGrSFho7IXGNXdNB6SlL8olZPdYXjgnyq7-VmOiZwdC_BiQFh7K4RacP51f-aF3qOGtBmRZIOdB0Pl3b6r9qLX9Q/s2621/11%2015%20431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7geXf1vZquO9uxUBYtcp5kZcqeeXHT35DMB4AFkvDFUF_zBwOhslJtVeU5dlchVNJN1zdR6WG1VpgM_0UemEV18bvFEhGsrNg4NKGrSFho7IXGNXdNB6SlL8olZPdYXjgnyq7-VmOiZwdC_BiQFh7K4RacP51f-aF3qOGtBmRZIOdB0Pl3b6r9qLX9Q/w300-h400/11%2015%20431.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11/16/2022</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Brian
met me at the camper this morning and we drove over to where I fished
the evening before. It was chilly and at times breezy. He fished with
home made egg sacks and I fly fished with streamers and sucker spawn.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
did pretty well hooking up in spurts during the morning hours. In the
afternoon the bite quit. The steelhead were quite fresh and had a lot
of spunk.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FNJiMOaLyyX66VgUmcAO36HuQqybASpt_0jSTdhfW3QbbkjZicJsGT89enU4_uZ24zpFGC8n7PS6bx5Rx5PiCoZXMSmJYz66BwTduO3FVVZ7hjapOuhdDl0KDjemcl8AyaiU4fs2TSW6_lS_tQvjQO3gPNK5IEc3XrZkABn_jde_zLTbOHf3FCYTIg/s2621/11%2016%20916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FNJiMOaLyyX66VgUmcAO36HuQqybASpt_0jSTdhfW3QbbkjZicJsGT89enU4_uZ24zpFGC8n7PS6bx5Rx5PiCoZXMSmJYz66BwTduO3FVVZ7hjapOuhdDl0KDjemcl8AyaiU4fs2TSW6_lS_tQvjQO3gPNK5IEc3XrZkABn_jde_zLTbOHf3FCYTIg/w300-h400/11%2016%20916.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoEVbRBqfML0hE84KsZ6IwOQHrhu3KyxeSlOktu1YW0F9-zK2iI0l4-ZkS4M6XDJ1UMHl0ZFubGIWzCdxmYxUQOei7nPMG4OkYs0-vOH3rIe3OzXE_bg0TdkzHJ39ft8w-disl9bePsMooM69HgjAItXZLgHS2YId4K9BvurdA7hWqSl4TtgRCiEfCg/s3250/11%2016%201001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="3250" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoEVbRBqfML0hE84KsZ6IwOQHrhu3KyxeSlOktu1YW0F9-zK2iI0l4-ZkS4M6XDJ1UMHl0ZFubGIWzCdxmYxUQOei7nPMG4OkYs0-vOH3rIe3OzXE_bg0TdkzHJ39ft8w-disl9bePsMooM69HgjAItXZLgHS2YId4K9BvurdA7hWqSl4TtgRCiEfCg/w400-h229/11%2016%201001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoidAEDt0A3tf9KPpehz-t2Xzpj8XTziUjS5Gg6Wllh5vqpdFCsnNZiIVwYbRrnEkEMm2vbMSrwIfzaKMzDbxXfA_phafzphKdKKoTIlwhJYjEYqVEema3y8jzkl8OpFByURqVc-UgODzmYiDfBYNmjuwT3F1YEWYxiGei4X7L7WulW7zcAWYM3vwDQ/s3517/11%2016%201252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="3517" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoidAEDt0A3tf9KPpehz-t2Xzpj8XTziUjS5Gg6Wllh5vqpdFCsnNZiIVwYbRrnEkEMm2vbMSrwIfzaKMzDbxXfA_phafzphKdKKoTIlwhJYjEYqVEema3y8jzkl8OpFByURqVc-UgODzmYiDfBYNmjuwT3F1YEWYxiGei4X7L7WulW7zcAWYM3vwDQ/w400-h211/11%2016%201252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
the bite quit in the section we were fishing we waded and spot fished
downstream. We picked off a couple more steelhead before we headed
back to the camper. It was around 2:30 by then.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the camper we feasted on venison stew I had cooking in the crock pot
and hot coffee. That evening he sent me a text of a Lake Erie weather
alert warning. There was a lake effect snowfall of 8” to 12” to
come overnight. It was too late for me to pack up and leave. I had
enough provisions to last till things cleared out by the following
week if need be. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wasn’t scareed!”</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">11/17/2022</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
woke up in the morning to what looked like 12” of snow or more!</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI7O4xAgeWQBubDca-1ukSO3dzG-oNT6zDyzM9Dro31ZYbZubYKVInIsh2sE3EKXirGRJazW4t-A1MX4UDiyqBQVMvyoM0n4TjdNjkDF_oKmrn2admQZU1YKgHFuzvQ4OV0C6WESCla2uSYBzzJzdd23s-txysvPlhnb7gM2qwRBJIdxnAu4URtUpKg/s2621/erie%20snow%20storm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI7O4xAgeWQBubDca-1ukSO3dzG-oNT6zDyzM9Dro31ZYbZubYKVInIsh2sE3EKXirGRJazW4t-A1MX4UDiyqBQVMvyoM0n4TjdNjkDF_oKmrn2admQZU1YKgHFuzvQ4OV0C6WESCla2uSYBzzJzdd23s-txysvPlhnb7gM2qwRBJIdxnAu4URtUpKg/w400-h300/erie%20snow%20storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was in no hurry to go fishing. Besides it was freezing out and I
didn’t care to fish with line, eyes and leader freezing up. I ate
breakfast and tied sucker spawn. Around 10:00 I went outside and was
heading to the restrooms. A neighbor, 2 campsites over, and his son
were dressed in their fishing attire and were heading to go fishing.
I got my gear on and joined them and a couple of other fishing behind
the shop office. It was above freezing but it was still cold and
breezy.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the 3-4 hours fishing near the campground I only saw 2 steelhead
caught and landed. 1 was accidentally snagged. Other than those that
was it among 8-10 of us fishing there at the time. I could never say
I had a bite. Disappointed and cold I headed back to the camper.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
got a bite to eat and decided to take a drive to see how the roads
were. I kept my fishing waders on. The roads were clear with no
problems driving. I got to the parking area up creek and decided to
give it a try. There were already a few vehicles in the parking area.
I trudged through the deep snow to the creek, waded and fished down
creek a piece. I was surprised that there wasn’t any people tracks
in the snow even though there were vehicles in the parking area.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
fished a couple of deeper runs that usually hold steelhead but
couldn’t get a bite with streamers. After wading the wavy, rushing,
shallow water and climbing up on the snow covered bank I decided to
switch over to sucker spawn. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
shallow riffling water emptied into a long wide stretch of deeper
water. Out, midstream, it was more slate rock. I couldn’t see any
fish but I have caught steelhead in this section years past. I
stepped off the bank into the shallow water up to my knees near the
bank. The water was stained enough I couldn’t see how deep the
going would be but I knew it probably wasn’t deeper than waist high
near the bank, I figured.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
first cast was up into the shallow wavy current that emptied into the
deeper water not too far from the bank. When my indicator flowed past
the wavy current and into the deeper section it went under. I lifted
and set the hook. The rod bowed and tight lined a steelhead
immediately. The line shot out midstream and line took off through
the guides spinning the reel spool. The steelhead sped out and then
downstream like a scared turkey escaping a chasing fox. Down and
across creek the fish continued with body shakes and force until the
hook let loose and flew back towards me. The leader and line ricochet
up in an overhanging tree in a mess. I wasn’t positive but the way
the steelhead took off I was pretty sure I may have snagged him.
Anyhow I got the line out of the tree limbs. I had to cut the leader
and retie everything back together. My fingers were cold and almost
numb but I did the best, I thought, I could.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two
more casts into the same area my indicator dropped again. I yanked up
for a hook set and the rod bowed once again. The steelhead took off
towards midstream. It was like dejavu all over again. This time it
stopped briefly midstream with ferocious head shaking. I could tell
this time I had a good hook set as his head appeared within the
surface splashes. It turned down creek with purpose and took off like
it was late for a hot Thanksgiving buffet. I gripped the cork handle
tight and locked my wrist as the rod bowed into the midsection. With
the scraggly young tree branches overshadowing the creek from the
bank I couldn’t wade down creek with the fish. Also I wasn’t sure
how deep the water was going to get if I tried wading so I had to
stay where I was and hope to get the steelhead tired out and towards
me. He wrestled the leader and line with head shakes and quick body
turns until the line finally snapped. Evidently my numb finger knots
weren’t tight enough. I was disappointed but with a long no strike
earlier it was fun while it lasted.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
retied more leader and tippet on and made sure my knots were tight. I
knotted on the same color sucker spawn and cast up stream watching it
drift into the deeper section again. Not getting any more strikes I
slowly waded along the bank and cast outward into the current. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
watched my indicator drop. The line moved out through the water
surface midstream. Sweet potatoes pie, I hooked another! I yanked back
and set the hook. The rod arced towards the hooked fish and I could
tell I had another nice steelhead. Feeling more confident in my knots
I wasn’t anxious to get it in too quickly. The steelhead turned
down creek after a couple of hard head shakes and tension line slid
threw the rod eyes. Downstream it turned up creek and fought hard
against the current and the bowing rod. Each forceful thrust, by the
steelhead, arced the rod deeper into the sections. I had the butt of
the rod in my gut for leverage as we fought like two kids over a
drumstick. Sooner or later one of us was going get tired and give in.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was now able to wade down the bank a bit and it took off midstream. I
now put side pressure on the fish as it fought out and
across from me. Slowly but surely I was able to reel the steelhead
closer. Once, within sight, it rose and then took off across and down
some until the rod arced enough to put more pressure against it. It
battled against the force but was tiring. I got it close a couple of
times before I finally got a hold of the steelie tightly by the neck
of its tail. I laid her on the deep snow covered bank for a quick
picture and to unhook the pumpkin colored sucker spawn from her
mouth.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14TjbDXcq9yzeZODW1ZzBsajoksj6JiJ3ncoTc2r9zVb6fblMhN_rCy7Zb7svKRfBYz4HoXkZyF0sE48kYWfYhp7HCV1vXAoWBa41aav7S9NtMSirh7mBPy8CP3cC-VnGaK-h8GDSQ0kZtejxLabuMSsk2w0w9HoaQW7KFGkjDJdefU4244M0zie3ow/s3861/11%2017%20430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2366" data-original-width="3861" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14TjbDXcq9yzeZODW1ZzBsajoksj6JiJ3ncoTc2r9zVb6fblMhN_rCy7Zb7svKRfBYz4HoXkZyF0sE48kYWfYhp7HCV1vXAoWBa41aav7S9NtMSirh7mBPy8CP3cC-VnGaK-h8GDSQ0kZtejxLabuMSsk2w0w9HoaQW7KFGkjDJdefU4244M0zie3ow/w400-h245/11%2017%20430.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Maybe
not as fresh as some we caught the other day but she was plump as a
stuffed turkey and she fought just as strong as the others.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
fished a short while longer before it got too dark. Through the deep
snow I headed back upstream to my truck. I couldn’t wait to get
back to camp and warm up. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was all cold fun while it lasted!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-66817542032501122312022-11-06T07:35:00.002-05:002022-12-07T05:42:10.977-05:00"Wet and Colder Than a Witch's Kiss"<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wet
and Colder Than a Witch’s Kiss”</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">10/19
22</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
woke up listening to the patter of raindrops on the camper roof. It
wasn’t raining heavy and it wasn’t just wetness falling off the
limbs and scarce leafy branches, it was raining. I got up and looked
outside. It was just turning daylight. Besides the rain it was windy
out. Autumn colored leaves blew from their branches and whisked to
the ground with the windy conditions. At times the wind gusts were
strong enough to sway the 28’ camper just enough to be noticed. I
was suppose to meet a friend at a local catch and release stream but
there really wasn’t a promise. He had maybe an hour drive to get
there and I was only 18 miles away. When I stepped outside to look at
the thermometer the cold hit me like walking into a butchers freezer.
The thermostat read 34°. I closed the door behind me as I entered
back into the camper.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dennis
isn’t going to go in this weather”, I thought, “not just for
trout?” I turned on the gas to the percolator and started breakfast
in no hurry.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the next 4 hours I fiddled around in the camper biding my time hoping
the on and off rain would stop and the gusts of wind would calm down.
Around noon I got bored enough to take a ride for cell phone service
to see what was going on in the world I might be missing. My truck
thermometer read 36° and it was still quite windy as I drove along
the Clarion River. Up on the hill I got service and backed into a
spacious area to park from the roadway. Instantly I got a message
from Dennis and three pictures of the big rainbows he caught and
netted. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7VjnJ9Za5f7T_ISTlm-B4gEkiGMQuc9JcdQsrcbCBP4Rb8duyf7R4YIuUc0LXKX06BrMqtOy416Mnqyx3--1n8sSqpAA7ItcprZCIp23Mz-CyKYTjZlF52GmJ7isDwXa2pCiyNDy1FQtsIZ20v22sfnGM6M7vm3fsNYUIYBq1woPhwVH3Koy0v2oqA/s898/Dbow1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="898" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7VjnJ9Za5f7T_ISTlm-B4gEkiGMQuc9JcdQsrcbCBP4Rb8duyf7R4YIuUc0LXKX06BrMqtOy416Mnqyx3--1n8sSqpAA7ItcprZCIp23Mz-CyKYTjZlF52GmJ7isDwXa2pCiyNDy1FQtsIZ20v22sfnGM6M7vm3fsNYUIYBq1woPhwVH3Koy0v2oqA/w400-h265/Dbow1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpccuofLGafLp5swyd9lXbVp1ru69ekX0Vke6Va2vBEZLHJHQ6N1pt3y3I7Lrh-WuqLSkNYbSTxmlJ2LsCp-aKliTlE18medJGjkJQULSpOFjwFmlhXCZvEfKevJxQdwhPiQNjEevTJCYskvB2HU7P9ceRhZuwaNKCeVPPU4m500oxK1oCUbV8wh5Aiw/s462/Dbow2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="462" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpccuofLGafLp5swyd9lXbVp1ru69ekX0Vke6Va2vBEZLHJHQ6N1pt3y3I7Lrh-WuqLSkNYbSTxmlJ2LsCp-aKliTlE18medJGjkJQULSpOFjwFmlhXCZvEfKevJxQdwhPiQNjEevTJCYskvB2HU7P9ceRhZuwaNKCeVPPU4m500oxK1oCUbV8wh5Aiw/w400-h281/Dbow2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKMb5oyTniwcO2-sk7A5MoOTJG9aQi9uKnhdDbMB5xYX_377tEttNEXovg1jD6phbf06tEh3odFvbSryecZOCVoh33xmYQ0pp4gQa3N2YkbdY3TJMu101VrsK2a6RQJPk7xIlbqm3b5x2ycKMI6FCq0kFWe8iz8EuXoHB5R4e47eBsk2-6Odbt-Q9lw/s605/Dbow3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="459" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKMb5oyTniwcO2-sk7A5MoOTJG9aQi9uKnhdDbMB5xYX_377tEttNEXovg1jD6phbf06tEh3odFvbSryecZOCVoh33xmYQ0pp4gQa3N2YkbdY3TJMu101VrsK2a6RQJPk7xIlbqm3b5x2ycKMI6FCq0kFWe8iz8EuXoHB5R4e47eBsk2-6Odbt-Q9lw/w304-h400/Dbow3.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
set a spark of hope and excitement in my trout bones. He braved the
bad weather conditions, took the drive and fished. I sent him a
message that I hadn’t made it. I drove off, back to camp, without
checking anything else on my phone.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
camp I put on warm clothes. I already had my Gortex rain jacket
filled with my fly gear. I got in my truck and headed to the stream.
After about 9 miles I texted Dennis to let him know I was on my way.
He texted back and said he was already on his way to Punxsutawney homeward bound. I
looked at the truck thermometer and it read 38°. My windshield
wipers showed there was still slight rain falling but it looked like
the wind had died down. I was 9 miles away from camp and the 9 miles I was headed would get me to the trout waters. I still had the
excitement running through my veins and wasn’t going to turn back.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
parking, assembling my fast action fly rod and getting my gear on I
headed to the creek.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
crossed the creek and waded the shallow section of water upstream to
the riffles. Below the riffles the water became much deeper on the
roadside. I knotted on a Woolly Bugger and started casting into the
shallow water stripping the bugger slowly back towards me. The slight
wind made it tougher casting down creek but with the 9’ fast action
rod and weighted bugger I was able to cut into the wind with a little
more casting effort.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
air was cold. Cold enough that as time went on my fingers were
feeling the effect of not being as nimble as when I got there. The
rain came and went and I’d cover my tossle cap with the hooded
jacket. The wind blew more leaves onto the water surface and my casts
had to be pretty accurate not to hit the moving targets. It was like
shooting at a turning windmill trying not to hit the blades. The
Woolly Bugger just wasn’t happening so I knotted on a Triple Threat
streamer. I slowly waded down stream casting out and letting the
streamer drift with the current and then slowly stripping it towards
me.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
first take was subtle. As I stripped it towards me, in the slow
current, the line straightened and I felt a slight nudge. I yanked
the rod back and set the hook. It felt like I had just dislodged a
log from the creek floor and it was drifting heavily down stream with
the current. I tightened my grip as the fish bullied down creek
taking line. I kept tension on the line but let him take line as he
wanted till I thought he would settle down some. With the head
jolting and powerful turns down creek he was using energy as the
arced rod took the brunt of the pressure he was putting on the line.
Once he turned and headed for the far bank I started to tighten the
tension I was putting on the line and when pauses permitted I’d
crank the reel drag a notch or two tighter. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(Though
it may look strange, the advantage of casting right handed and
reeling in right handed is that I can adjust the reel drag knob
easily with my left hand while fighting a fish. Though I switch the
rod to my left hand when reeling in, it has come a custom that I
don’t really give it much thought.)</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
evidently didn’t like the more tension I was putting against him.
He started to put up a stronger resistance beneath. Swirls of water
disturbed the surface as he thrashed around telling where he was at.
I got him headed my way briefly but he was in no hurry to give up
just yet. He took off down creek and there was no way of trying to
stop him. I kept tension on the fly line as he peeled off line from
the spinning spool. He subsurfaced in the shallower water down stream
splashing about before heading up towards me again. I took in line in
a hurry trying to keep tension on the hooked fish. He kept his
distance on the far side of the creek by the time he slowed down. I
had a lot of line floating around me and I knew I better get it in
the spool before I got him any closer. I changed hands and pinched
the fly line between my finger and cork grip. I didn’t force him
towards me but kept just enough pressure as the rod tip bowed
slightly towards him. He struggled at times but didn’t take off as
I wound in line. Once I had the slack line wound in I attempted to
draw him closer to me to net him. He reluctantly swam towards me but
as I lifted the rod he alligator rolled getting the leader and tippet
around his thick body. With that he tried to swim away, and being all
tangled up, I felt like I was attached to a branchy limb drifting
down creek with the current. Now, not only did I have to get him in
my undersized net but needed to untangle him before doing so. I
thought for sure I was going to lose him. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So,
there I was with this big brown trout on the end of my line. I was
twisting and turning the rod trying to untangle the line around him
while he was struggling against me. It was like trying to untangle a
snagged branch beneath the surface not wanting to lose your favorite
streamer. Somehow he got untangled and through it all he was pretty
worn out, at least I thought, until I tried to net him. He wiggled,
squirmed and fidgeted before and after I got him in the net. I tried
to keep the net upright trying to hold him in it till he settled
down. Once settled I got a quick picture of the feisty big male brown
before I dipped the net fully in the water. It didn’t take much
coaxing before he swatted out of the net and swam away.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvU5wzSifcdUdvU1l6_SKs8hHBO10SfR7EQe18fPZE3-uK3f5u63K1CZy15ZXPGJL3qySXyojSwU9hNHs85PPbl-z_2VoCgMIaJLZr56w9fgsgpY2Zb7s_jJ29ZjooErjZ_lcezmqjfW5k6OSETA5vx3PGaoI0--fmmSxwpBfWHoFtKRaWXt_KKyog/s2621/oct%20brwn1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvU5wzSifcdUdvU1l6_SKs8hHBO10SfR7EQe18fPZE3-uK3f5u63K1CZy15ZXPGJL3qySXyojSwU9hNHs85PPbl-z_2VoCgMIaJLZr56w9fgsgpY2Zb7s_jJ29ZjooErjZ_lcezmqjfW5k6OSETA5vx3PGaoI0--fmmSxwpBfWHoFtKRaWXt_KKyog/w400-h300/oct%20brwn1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
doubt that was encouraging. I don’t remember it being as cold all
of a sudden though my fingers weren’t too flexible as I retied
another streamer on. I continued in the same manner casting down and
across creek letting it drift down stream before stripping it slowly
towards me. This time a trout grabbed the streamer and took off like
a beagle on a fresh rabbit trail not knowing it was still on a leash
attached to my hand. My fore arm jolted down stream with the heavy
take. I knew I had another big trout as line unwound from the spool
and spat out the tip top. This fish was no easy catch either. I felt
my forearm muscles tighten and my cold hand and fingers around the
cork grip was tight but the tightness wasn’t as noticeable with my
fingers so cold. We struggled back and forth for an advantage like
two arm wrestlers in a heavy competition. I eventually won out when I
got the beautiful brown in the net successfully.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His
belly was burnt orange in his spawning colors leading up to his
buttery yellow jaw. His kype was hooked well and I knew any attempt
to lip him would be as dangerous as putting a hand inside a gators
mouth. His body was thick and big splattered black fountain
ink blotches covered the rest of his lengthy body.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwJwbJZnaIsdfh9E05WHtElQP5HoVjXnRMdCu5BtGWBWRRHAulSx-iNzpM1TItIZNZUTEeSbojrj0uMROxsaLBp0pFV8MYB8y56d37rSTXKNyukN1QgcGK78LEVJRtf42DonKnkVg-qz1to3ORtXK_O4G5p7eWZ34lDPO9UQoPvcF-lwoWdXZQ_ONnw/s2621/oct%20brwn%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwJwbJZnaIsdfh9E05WHtElQP5HoVjXnRMdCu5BtGWBWRRHAulSx-iNzpM1TItIZNZUTEeSbojrj0uMROxsaLBp0pFV8MYB8y56d37rSTXKNyukN1QgcGK78LEVJRtf42DonKnkVg-qz1to3ORtXK_O4G5p7eWZ34lDPO9UQoPvcF-lwoWdXZQ_ONnw/w300-h400/oct%20brwn%202.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wasn’t done quite yet though my body started to feel colder beneath
my layers of clothes. The wind got a bit stronger also but I just
didn’t want to give up. Normally, by now with two huge fish, I
would of called it a day but I was, after all, having fun despite the
weather. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
this one tore up the Triple Threat pretty bad I attempted to knot on
another. It wasn’t easy with stiff fingers and it took some time
and patience but I managed. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
caught a smaller rainbow and a smaller brown trout and was about to
call it quits. I started to wade down creek towards the shallower
water to cross. I was still making cast down and across when I
noticed the arc in the line stop. Maybe I struck bottom in the
shallower water? I figured if it got stuck I could wade into the knee
deep water and just unsnag it. I yanked the rod back to set the hook
anyhow. To my surprise, after the line tightened and rod bowed as if
caught on an underwater snag, a fish rose to the surface and shook
the hooked streamer like trying to get a live bumblebee out of its
mouth. Water splashed everywhere like an explosion was set off on the
surface. He went under and shot up creek in a haste still head
shaking flexing the rod top sections in incomparable positions.
Leader cut threw the water heading upstream in the wake of the
fleeing trout. I had another biggy! </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QryHUa4YArN4uzRZTMqRK1WHSAH_PfUNqQVb3UkI379_Ndnx5JtmeySl3IBtaG5ctYhtJ1tcWcJGRT3QKINv57Kr90l6y__9Vh3SJwsA2SkizlkvcqOd4-4rlernSLD-xfQGw_AGL7yrtEL9cHN2UTzHF0gC50d7BzoJsQvl3SvucqN-xIBOrtE2hg/s1966/oct%20brwn3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QryHUa4YArN4uzRZTMqRK1WHSAH_PfUNqQVb3UkI379_Ndnx5JtmeySl3IBtaG5ctYhtJ1tcWcJGRT3QKINv57Kr90l6y__9Vh3SJwsA2SkizlkvcqOd4-4rlernSLD-xfQGw_AGL7yrtEL9cHN2UTzHF0gC50d7BzoJsQvl3SvucqN-xIBOrtE2hg/w400-h400/oct%20brwn3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> After
that I called it quits. I saw no use of torturing my body or fingers
any longer. I had an excellent catching day and big trout to prove
it. I couldn’t wait to get into a warm truck and back to camp to
thaw out.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe_RjX53amEKZaHEZ28Nx2eqdAsMyQaEBbfk_PnGv1xCYoU5BLXLe47Z9Nzcek1EzaOeKaiRx5CKcIL6I2Ho2mukB5gEZ9uEYpgA8JqUxNlqlb9YKlLVluFql-oYATGGTrsH4G-IjA5m7a2sJqpiFbSjfshLjQ6-z_Q4FGWnG_dOkOreKfYqFsHG_BQ/s2621/oct%20campsite.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe_RjX53amEKZaHEZ28Nx2eqdAsMyQaEBbfk_PnGv1xCYoU5BLXLe47Z9Nzcek1EzaOeKaiRx5CKcIL6I2Ho2mukB5gEZ9uEYpgA8JqUxNlqlb9YKlLVluFql-oYATGGTrsH4G-IjA5m7a2sJqpiFbSjfshLjQ6-z_Q4FGWnG_dOkOreKfYqFsHG_BQ/w400-h300/oct%20campsite.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-60048624889947516472022-09-30T16:26:00.003-04:002022-09-30T16:41:55.341-04:00Yak'n, Bass'n With Glass<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yak’n,
Bass’n With Glass</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">9/18/22</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZDSCgIBCgupK9m5IqWUnAkCIUtXrolk6bkqX3WxD-GFslHj1O_fSCWJ-nDMkGClKofoRRZpZdbkugcPg7hLkPrdqzDuTneDtkGTC8yH7dAiD9j7Hw65QyxVMde8JFxPkTU727z7FNrwbnnjbKfL-LQ4fupBoBz7DYMc0RKFNY4I9Uptu88j6SgjMog/s2339/Glass%20Rod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="2339" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZDSCgIBCgupK9m5IqWUnAkCIUtXrolk6bkqX3WxD-GFslHj1O_fSCWJ-nDMkGClKofoRRZpZdbkugcPg7hLkPrdqzDuTneDtkGTC8yH7dAiD9j7Hw65QyxVMde8JFxPkTU727z7FNrwbnnjbKfL-LQ4fupBoBz7DYMc0RKFNY4I9Uptu88j6SgjMog/w400-h300/Glass%20Rod.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
assembled my 2 piece 6 weight President Glass Wonderod. My kayak was
filled with all the necessities for floating the river including
smallmouth poppers and Woolly Buggers if needed. I looped a new 9’
3X tapered leader to the F6WF fly line and threaded it through the
rod guides. By 9:00am I was in the water 2 miles up from my camper
and ready to enjoy the day.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w0BjUYS59f_Ks_0CMJlCkiAuBKy8MiwxD4Lt5W6uuLh50hKEBXVUJYFqKDQZehvgXYUq1v1aCNzDpXb3vp-b3G84x7h0KqpD5swTob6sbDRr_AVw-MhehVCtVn8cU4AfaQfr5H6AqJSuEuH7acNuElqBWU6GskpsSGLC0bYtTXn_etxSTS4PcyUFaw/s2621/CR%209%2029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w0BjUYS59f_Ks_0CMJlCkiAuBKy8MiwxD4Lt5W6uuLh50hKEBXVUJYFqKDQZehvgXYUq1v1aCNzDpXb3vp-b3G84x7h0KqpD5swTob6sbDRr_AVw-MhehVCtVn8cU4AfaQfr5H6AqJSuEuH7acNuElqBWU6GskpsSGLC0bYtTXn_etxSTS4PcyUFaw/w400-h300/CR%209%2029.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above
me was a clear baby blue sky with streaks of white clouds. The air
was already warming up. Green trees lined the river and threw shade
upon the lightly stained water half way across the river. There was a
slight breeze that didn’t have much effect on the surface water.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was casting aimlessly, as I was drifting, getting a feel for the
slower action of the fiberglass rod. My first take was a gulp after I
watched my popper drift after a couple of strips across the slow
current. I reared back on the rod and the line tightened. The rod
bowed on the hooked fish as it went deep and gave a tug. The line
went limp and the rod straightened. I knew right away what happened.
I didn’t yank the rod back hard enough to set the hook into the
bass’s mouth. I knew better that with the slow action of the glass
rod I have to set the hook with stronger authority than with a
graphite rod. Lesson learned!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
took an hour or so for my next take. I was kind of stopped in a back
eddy behind a big exposed boulder casting out from the bank downriver
some. My frog popper plopped in the slow current under the shade of
over hanging leafy branches like a fallen acorn. I gave a couple of
strips towards me and let it drift down with the slow riffles caused
by a boulder of some size just below the surface water. A fish rose
in a surface swirl and sucked the popper like a high power car wash
vacuum cleaner on a floor dropped milk dud. This time I gave a good
strong yank and I could feel the glass rod flex almost into the cork
grip I held tightly. The bass dove deep and took off with my popper.
The glass rod arced as the tapered leader cut through the surface
water heading upriver. I lifted the cork handle high as the rod bowed
towards the fleeing fish as it took out line. Fly line slipped
through my tensioned fingers briefly before I threw out the anchor to
try and stop my drifting kayak. My anchor caught and I held the rod
steady as the fish fought the tight line and bowed rod. Slowly but
surely I brought in line getting the smallmouth closer to the yak’.
He stayed deep till he was a couple of yards from the yak’ before
rising to the surface. He splashed water in all directions as his
body struggled upon the surface. He dove deep and the rod flexed and
bowed towards the escaping fish. I put the rod butt into my gut for
leverage as tensioned line again slipped through my fingers. He took
off downriver with the help f the undercurrent and pulled out more
line. I gave an upriver tug as he slowed and he turned upriver. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe
with a medium to fast action rod I may have tired him out sooner but
the thrill playing a tough fighting river smallmouth is nothing
compared to graphite. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
thumbed him carefully when he got to the side of the yak’. He
inhaled the frog popper which was still firmly within his mouth.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXushHP6vgkgUQq6W7j2MpEdA09uewxCSPQ8llKhcPeozlTbKUJo2sbmNd9_iYcKVLqw28d9x2Shy0ZOPRenrhM9Tj7Z8CJjWTtAiG8DC5ssPdqvdqAs33mr_0EOazNNNW-YP2Mh4aX05J4gpTIB_Mx-mAtJNFPNiNmfCK4G2t_ymlX5AIYpxs0Po1Lg/s2621/Glass1150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXushHP6vgkgUQq6W7j2MpEdA09uewxCSPQ8llKhcPeozlTbKUJo2sbmNd9_iYcKVLqw28d9x2Shy0ZOPRenrhM9Tj7Z8CJjWTtAiG8DC5ssPdqvdqAs33mr_0EOazNNNW-YP2Mh4aX05J4gpTIB_Mx-mAtJNFPNiNmfCK4G2t_ymlX5AIYpxs0Po1Lg/w400-h300/Glass1150.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr9GNMzY344PrMqoHgXU4bPMuZtAMZ75WrEm_NGnMI3pO0VuuE-pbJzgg6aei5cD8woINUbiAgSORy6xua9LekVs-p7lGxOJ9fScO_ETjhBIktSmFHyYee5v-npkl4ORRbDZaaC6Gr7WxJptZY6cIUzZrs3PxKkIIeWpHnO9PwprytaavnKCj3hUcig/s2621/Glass1150a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr9GNMzY344PrMqoHgXU4bPMuZtAMZ75WrEm_NGnMI3pO0VuuE-pbJzgg6aei5cD8woINUbiAgSORy6xua9LekVs-p7lGxOJ9fScO_ETjhBIktSmFHyYee5v-npkl4ORRbDZaaC6Gr7WxJptZY6cIUzZrs3PxKkIIeWpHnO9PwprytaavnKCj3hUcig/w400-h300/Glass1150a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
a few more casts while anchored I took out a Gilberto Oliva 6x50 and
lit up the light brown cameroon stogie. Looking up the puffy clouds
started to move in and dot the blue sky. The breeze picked up some
now and again and riffled the water surface like a washboard.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH63keVm000yMWr_rdnRmDSETHc1miroinNRv8BAs2WU8bc3ztVlrXazS73iSbzRr6nHV1yKEIxsag0GTplvEx0hPawsGFtbhbtEWHkNZyZmUOo5mn35lTq1WobrdI4NXNv6wGfVcZloY1wcx1xjA3yvkhbFXtPCtgNRwzEPYYAaWbrYnrvSSpGPaFhw/s2621/Glass1215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH63keVm000yMWr_rdnRmDSETHc1miroinNRv8BAs2WU8bc3ztVlrXazS73iSbzRr6nHV1yKEIxsag0GTplvEx0hPawsGFtbhbtEWHkNZyZmUOo5mn35lTq1WobrdI4NXNv6wGfVcZloY1wcx1xjA3yvkhbFXtPCtgNRwzEPYYAaWbrYnrvSSpGPaFhw/w400-h300/Glass1215.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had to put a little more oomph in my casts to get the popper out
further with the soft flexing glass action.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was casting the popper out from the banks in deep pockets. I had
hooked 2 smallies and missed one as I drifted down river. I was
heading towards an exposed boulder so I dropped the anchor to slow my
drift. Every so often the anchor would catch and stop my drifting. I
covered the area around me as far as the breeze let me cast before
lifting the anchor momentarily getting the yak’ drifting downriver
closer to the bank side boulder.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
wind was hampering my casts so after the popper hit the surface I let
it drift further downriver with the current before stripping it back
towards me. I was stripping it towards me, from a distance, when a
smallmouth porpoised after my popper as if the temptation of a
swimming frog was too much to ignore. With the eruption he completely
missed my popper as I saw it fly up in the air like a popped kernel
from an open lid popcorn popper over hot campfire coals. He and the
popper came down upon the distorted water surface. I gave a few quick
strips that gurgled and splashed waves like a dazed escaping frog.
This time the bass wasn’t going to let it get away. He porpoised
again and swept the popper in like a Jai Alai player catching a fast
moving ball in his wicket cesta. I waited a second and yanked back
the rod with authority. The rod arced instantly and I could tell I
had another nice size smallie. He took off towards mid river in a
flurry. I gave an extra tug to make sure the hook stuck good as he
took line. The extra tug must have hit a nerve like a dentist drill
hitting a live nerve not completely numb from the Novocaine shot. He
exploded out of the water, fully exposed, shaking his body
frantically from the pain. He dropped back into the water and
exploded again out of the swirls of disturbed water. He gave a big
tug in mid air before plopping back into the water surface. He took
off and the line tightened again so I knew I had a good hook set.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve
fought hooked largemouth in pond water and steelhead in shallow slow
current on my 8 weight glass rod. They don’t compare to the thrill
and fight of a struggling smallmouth in river current. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
got him near and he decided to try and swim under the yak’. I
extended my arm out as far as I could holding the line tight in my
left hand. The rod bowed in a full arc like a horseshoe magnet. I
could feel him rise as the force of the arced rod kept him from
getting under the yak’. The bowed rod lessened and the fish swam
outward. He than gave a burst of energy across river strong enough I
let him take line through my fingers. When he turned down river I
tightened the line between my fingers not giving him any more leeway.
He turned and swam towards the yak’ again as I took inline. Near
the yak’ he rose to the surface splashing water in all directions.
It took a few tries to lip him not wanting to get stuck with the
sharp hook of the popper that hung from his mouth.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXDyY8AjAm9mOLTJ0xaV3Fepwh7aVBLD7c2pJKQRJOYUTM-aGUDMugi23wDYcDHJ2a8Y-tix_E7CbXCg6Xx3cDSQ9uzUPRd3EtdFgjNyCp5rblNvjWytse56a0ySg-oDFNEE1mzbWxnhdnEIVq9OnWGXSM8ctG4HfccETjrZBwZ8dCVvdeMuGlgwRoQ/s2043/Glass101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="1533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXDyY8AjAm9mOLTJ0xaV3Fepwh7aVBLD7c2pJKQRJOYUTM-aGUDMugi23wDYcDHJ2a8Y-tix_E7CbXCg6Xx3cDSQ9uzUPRd3EtdFgjNyCp5rblNvjWytse56a0ySg-oDFNEE1mzbWxnhdnEIVq9OnWGXSM8ctG4HfccETjrZBwZ8dCVvdeMuGlgwRoQ/w300-h400/Glass101.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that the wind picked up drastically. It was blowing upriver most of
the time into my face. It was around 3:00 when I got the yak’ and
gear out of the water and back up to my camper. I didn’t hook many
but the two big’ns made for another excited time on the river.
Catching and fighting them on glass was an extra thrill.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper <br /></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-33327742975631316622022-09-05T07:01:00.004-04:002023-03-06T07:57:17.397-05:00A Frog Popper Kind of Day<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
Frog Popper Kind of Day</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8/26/22</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWK2OfbXe4BhjtsrR5TCAVY65xt73tVQbqmBS9ptMCd7bxXgim60HN0Zn1y5r68wx3MTRF3ttXV-gWKf12TD9x2dEPj13_DEqp6b6J2PDO_qLw3VEX1jvRA60DeIPkYg_cau4ITccoDnsdIbgvAN08sr_b-3Hi7Y-5Uup-FqfimQpslXS0tYxtco4Cw/s2233/323ACR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2069" data-original-width="2233" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWK2OfbXe4BhjtsrR5TCAVY65xt73tVQbqmBS9ptMCd7bxXgim60HN0Zn1y5r68wx3MTRF3ttXV-gWKf12TD9x2dEPj13_DEqp6b6J2PDO_qLw3VEX1jvRA60DeIPkYg_cau4ITccoDnsdIbgvAN08sr_b-3Hi7Y-5Uup-FqfimQpslXS0tYxtco4Cw/w400-h370/323ACR26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
was one of my best days on the river catching smallmouth. Maybe not
the biggest during the day but the action was quick, fast and seemed
continuous. From within a ½ hour after I launched the float tube at
9:30 am. I was hooking smallmouth with a frog popper. The smallmouth
were hungry for frogs all day so I stuck with them and was just
rewarded.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was an overcast morning and looked to continue throughout the day.
Green trees lined the banks of the Clarion River for as far as the
eye could see. Heavy clouds covered the blue sky above like a kids
foaming bubble bath. For now the water was calm. Maybe too calm like a calm before the storm. There was barely a breeze which is pleasant for fly rod fishing. I launched the float tube with my smallmouth
assortment, fly rod, a few cigars, water, trail mix, and a rain
jacket. The water was a tad on the cloudy side still clearing up from
the past rains. I found this might be the best time to fish the
river. I suppose when the water is real muddy the bigger fish can’t
see baitfish to eat. Just as the water becomes clearer they must be
hungry enough to go after anything they see beneath or rise to any
commotion on top.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7pFm-w5zAXyY5qr8ZZyyic_KiRUDDtFcZLLZB1ImuUscIUkN2TTGLRpvlEh-kk7mTZRvBymbFCmHcUqcGTU66lubl1e_U-zUJxtmXhUHxBT5pdWKUEInedDAkFT_WDFMNiMzrB_PaPzmxE_Bhu4d1SczbZYU5mcIHfvw9AvJuVbF_FTO_d-fnzAXRQ/s2103/Cr1124Cloud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="2103" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7pFm-w5zAXyY5qr8ZZyyic_KiRUDDtFcZLLZB1ImuUscIUkN2TTGLRpvlEh-kk7mTZRvBymbFCmHcUqcGTU66lubl1e_U-zUJxtmXhUHxBT5pdWKUEInedDAkFT_WDFMNiMzrB_PaPzmxE_Bhu4d1SczbZYU5mcIHfvw9AvJuVbF_FTO_d-fnzAXRQ/w400-h300/Cr1124Cloud.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was around 9:30 when I pushed off for the days adventure. Looking
down river along the bank looked deep enough to maybe hold some fish.
I kicked off and finned my way just out within casting distance from
the bank. With the higher water and clearing up I figured the bass
might not be holding along the banks and out in not too deep of water
looking for an early meal. As I slowly drifted down river I made a
few casts into the slow water along the bank away from the main stem
of the river. A fish rose to the surface at my popper with a gulping
splash. I reared back on the rod and my first taker was on. Not a big
smallmouth by any means but one that came up sooner than I expected.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqLLObZU2ZuWbcsqZUPPP6b6YmFNzWBGM2fDUo_Jsj-xjxjcn2RR8y8ME2XTfE-I_kaaEbFxBGB58Q6omkSRA1kKHgZrAXW-bOdGD6-JrwhFAdxiNItf7bttrZo9oJ3iw0kKq59ZiDKBMH0kdka22VIEcZQfMYbCq_GZdFnZ_pyKW2Uiv5HwueS9VCA/s2621/952CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqLLObZU2ZuWbcsqZUPPP6b6YmFNzWBGM2fDUo_Jsj-xjxjcn2RR8y8ME2XTfE-I_kaaEbFxBGB58Q6omkSRA1kKHgZrAXW-bOdGD6-JrwhFAdxiNItf7bttrZo9oJ3iw0kKq59ZiDKBMH0kdka22VIEcZQfMYbCq_GZdFnZ_pyKW2Uiv5HwueS9VCA/w300-h400/952CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Well,
that deserved my first cigar. I took out an AB sun grown and lit up
the dark cigar. I was ready to relax and enjoy myself.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbVNflI4C2udvRsrv39cUrmBWCexBIDW32JavMyaNDpHMobRtY0wR0y4ytCevzK-VFCU5xMVCRP1H9D3k7dNnHc0Yq-9wslMbMNFz-Ei3ymapXj3rMpKPQmUUErbkVnNtd8ildtu0wr48JmpY0JJbYO4dNZOOWLNBehJ9zH2hFggAPRBUrWWO8Htk9w/s1966/954CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbVNflI4C2udvRsrv39cUrmBWCexBIDW32JavMyaNDpHMobRtY0wR0y4ytCevzK-VFCU5xMVCRP1H9D3k7dNnHc0Yq-9wslMbMNFz-Ei3ymapXj3rMpKPQmUUErbkVnNtd8ildtu0wr48JmpY0JJbYO4dNZOOWLNBehJ9zH2hFggAPRBUrWWO8Htk9w/w400-h400/954CR26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Within
about 5 minutes after lighting up the stogie I casted out and hooked
into another hungry smallmouth.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQLfxJpb87-MtDdBZOgQbV9pI_CsRxHxnD9A8YYCvqNow8eC9nfo07UVjK3jGVSDvynM0U4W1WHFCKU4VNvhVnpr4FO5SThR4bPUWpppPCtncxtK7Z_OXxfk-J3JcWiANUVDwjB_l5Dtp6XwMzhZSq5IdZJPiDhx3Z9UHxB06EmOUNBri-BChzF407A/s2646/958CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="1985" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQLfxJpb87-MtDdBZOgQbV9pI_CsRxHxnD9A8YYCvqNow8eC9nfo07UVjK3jGVSDvynM0U4W1WHFCKU4VNvhVnpr4FO5SThR4bPUWpppPCtncxtK7Z_OXxfk-J3JcWiANUVDwjB_l5Dtp6XwMzhZSq5IdZJPiDhx3Z9UHxB06EmOUNBri-BChzF407A/w300-h400/958CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
looked at my frog popper and chuckled a bit. I see all kinds of
beautiful painted and constructed poppers that people create on Face
Book fishing forums. I couldn’t imagine how much time and effort
they put into making them,</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Besides
the cost of the supplies. I know the simple ones I make take some
time and effort but I’m sure not as much as the beauties I’ve
seen. Being that mine catch smallmouth and largemouth I have no need
to make them look glamorous. I don’t sell them and I’m not in a
contest for best of show. I let the smallmouth decide whether my
poppers fit their menu. So far, they have been doing an exceptional
job.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Drifting
down river I use a longer frog popper in the more wavy water for
better visual effect and pop/gurgle it more noisily on deeper
sections than in slower current. Today the smallmouth appear to be
everywhere looking for food and just not along the banks.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNVNMGetQ9oMg2R-nNHsikH71c7LstU8CCNelKdbf14vmCrfjyqi2ofdbbZJ56OJSgqpGyBNg0u9Uk3VigPrTQLJLlnvRRJyrVpktcbFx_H02ONJchpxMLqMKcNHOyE5LcmuTJjTHjNH51KYSl-VREZ41Hy5xS0IjVzwoTU2aPPEw-cm1kBSVS_SXuA/s3618/1119CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="3618" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNVNMGetQ9oMg2R-nNHsikH71c7LstU8CCNelKdbf14vmCrfjyqi2ofdbbZJ56OJSgqpGyBNg0u9Uk3VigPrTQLJLlnvRRJyrVpktcbFx_H02ONJchpxMLqMKcNHOyE5LcmuTJjTHjNH51KYSl-VREZ41Hy5xS0IjVzwoTU2aPPEw-cm1kBSVS_SXuA/w400-h214/1119CR26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ll
try another color when rises slow up but go back to the frog popper.
Sometimes I think it’s the commotion on the water that causes a
curios take but there are times, after popping it a few times, I just
let it rest and a smallmouth will grab it. Kind of tells me my
creations must look enough like food that the smallmouth are willing
to grab it upon investigation.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gtWp_DMxPRUgu3NhknhIgHYqHllrImd-3M2tiWXzTA2CLARHCdPHw2ZKMLfH5fOnJQyHnY6i_YRJMIZ3jLAaD3kRe8582n-7ppPae40VBhyxMw5h-hDXmTwMH-B_srzTnLKTgpMrNiWm7FVScMH0sgXpojGhOK65QUwHv0nredB882GwNVMRi8q2wA/s2621/1132CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gtWp_DMxPRUgu3NhknhIgHYqHllrImd-3M2tiWXzTA2CLARHCdPHw2ZKMLfH5fOnJQyHnY6i_YRJMIZ3jLAaD3kRe8582n-7ppPae40VBhyxMw5h-hDXmTwMH-B_srzTnLKTgpMrNiWm7FVScMH0sgXpojGhOK65QUwHv0nredB882GwNVMRi8q2wA/w400-h300/1132CR26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTDtbnD_iEsgGDRPmIAteEYLb5VsVunp0i4MK1GwF0kf01tF4KkTEYG9pf1fOMFQfMNM8FpbaxUR2WdppeM8LJyz4huTNi9hHWoTreBXgU5S4ouu44wnkByaW4k6KZbX094NkshV7F5H8M9hFhqjP1xp6Se3HKH9C4dwjbf0_W0uIsI3M9HzV1EP_mw/s2621/1142CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTDtbnD_iEsgGDRPmIAteEYLb5VsVunp0i4MK1GwF0kf01tF4KkTEYG9pf1fOMFQfMNM8FpbaxUR2WdppeM8LJyz4huTNi9hHWoTreBXgU5S4ouu44wnkByaW4k6KZbX094NkshV7F5H8M9hFhqjP1xp6Se3HKH9C4dwjbf0_W0uIsI3M9HzV1EP_mw/w300-h400/1142CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Around
noon I was ready for cigar #2. I took out a Don Tomas Robusto Clasico
Natural. The mild cigar was smooth and burned evenly throughout.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM-rsowfv6R4mdqkI6EE-nbfmjIAXrGsRx9KCuJJEKaWH0sxQeQG08GmrhnnzdTJDyGaAcL3Be7wp0TXpb-P6qrHb7eHKiwaEngVvOJEKdA9E9Ue0J5JDPp0xeEIej25sBouGnmqKkm0A6SnweDAHmwlz4GdbuZVQPVDX9DlTofKX-4lH8x2yHOgSnA/s2008/1147CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="1508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM-rsowfv6R4mdqkI6EE-nbfmjIAXrGsRx9KCuJJEKaWH0sxQeQG08GmrhnnzdTJDyGaAcL3Be7wp0TXpb-P6qrHb7eHKiwaEngVvOJEKdA9E9Ue0J5JDPp0xeEIej25sBouGnmqKkm0A6SnweDAHmwlz4GdbuZVQPVDX9DlTofKX-4lH8x2yHOgSnA/w300-h400/1147CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
sun shown through the clouds for a moment and brightened the day
some. I figured the smallmouth might head for the shady areas along
the bank and concentrated on casting that way most of the time. Every
once in a while I’d still catch one out mid-river. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was a lengthy boulder along the bank that looked like it ledged just
below the surface. The water along the bank didn’t look very deep
but I found you never know how deceiving the shallow water my look
than what really is beneath in pockets of deeper water among a rocky
bank line. My first cast was just out form the ledge where the water
began to flow into it. A smallmouth splashed at the moving popper and
I reared back for the hook set. The line tightened. I could tell it
wasn’t a big one but it was a frisky one at that. I steadied myself
and brought him to the float tube successfully. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoQBIeH5dwWssJcsOvVSlZ2HNWfxVGBe55wOSeEuPlK6sNZqQhAl9ygGg6qzvu7w_JhyLV9_-SEQ_YFP9uC99N46U8etbPxZpIYLOxG5ipPPR4ZF6aHsMQh7SRJX4YTkuhu4vHAZEfGX9-GCSpNGc168ZRM2MpAPpU1bYF8P1TArh3kgZrUz6R9BvgA/s2337/1208CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2157" data-original-width="2337" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoQBIeH5dwWssJcsOvVSlZ2HNWfxVGBe55wOSeEuPlK6sNZqQhAl9ygGg6qzvu7w_JhyLV9_-SEQ_YFP9uC99N46U8etbPxZpIYLOxG5ipPPR4ZF6aHsMQh7SRJX4YTkuhu4vHAZEfGX9-GCSpNGc168ZRM2MpAPpU1bYF8P1TArh3kgZrUz6R9BvgA/w400-h369/1208CR26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span>
<p></p><p>
</p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
was steady with my booted fins holding beneath on the rocky river
bed. I made another cast near half the length of the boulder ledge
and a fish surfaced almost as soon as my popper hit the water like it
was trying to take it before another hungry fish did. I reared back
and another smallmouth was hooked. I got him to the apron also. I
actually caught 2 more along that boulder and missed one hook up. It
was if I was catering to a training seminar of a small group of
hungry repair technicians!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzR-wxBpjdTE0eRxTjTJLBV_tSLpnPbZ5N_29eVHJdn_nvRewX1tt-DtsiiT7IRGb6o5ogysLU1DjfxQhHlcVG0836Ipf6ylqtysdOGZkrtvcQOCmriOnrc4aZJVaSWvj1ISTeuhB30KC9Mae6mlYy3n2DLpqaQTDOA7Wsd2dtKkOMk1YmN1R6d1QGSw/s3162/1214CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3162" data-original-width="3008" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzR-wxBpjdTE0eRxTjTJLBV_tSLpnPbZ5N_29eVHJdn_nvRewX1tt-DtsiiT7IRGb6o5ogysLU1DjfxQhHlcVG0836Ipf6ylqtysdOGZkrtvcQOCmriOnrc4aZJVaSWvj1ISTeuhB30KC9Mae6mlYy3n2DLpqaQTDOA7Wsd2dtKkOMk1YmN1R6d1QGSw/w380-h400/1214CR26.jpg" width="380" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Further
down river there was a tree down, stripped of its bark, top siding
the surface with branches extending in the air. It looked real fishy.
I was able to stop just upriver from it and gave a few casts onto the
water along the bank. One cast I laid the popper onto the surface of
the water that flowed right into the downed tree limbs. I gurgled it
a few times the closer it got to the limbs and a bass exploded up at
it. I waited a second or two after he took it under and yanked back
hard. The line shot up and tightened and I could feel I had a good
smallie. I had to keep him from swimming back into the tree limbs so
I gave him no line and had to really test my knots and rod strength.
I got him to swim upriver away from the tree hazard. The rod arced
deep as I drew him closer. He hurriedly swam between the bank and I
upriver a piece. I could see big submerged boulders in the shallow
water between me and the bank where the smallmouth was swimming
through. I held the rod high and gave him some line as I turned the
rod trying to guide him out away from the boulder strewn shallows and
into the main stem. He followed with some forceful hesitation. Once
in the main stem of the river I felt more positive about the
situation ad carefully got him to the float tube. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR23-ZaLpStn3Js3gFTgm2JtK21KZWAgc-21Taf6JhcYV1DI87NzeUja0yep0YA05pu5j_avrSKPa3IYp3hbrEElGah7AuzBqTx-GxSZtAcdVcYIA_y3n9lXkGe7wKVrVzNF6b8eCdzLIaphGSmxK_GvV9aiKgrrq8tcC3S2GnEtmocQ-9UqvQxff_g/s3108/106CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3108" data-original-width="2331" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR23-ZaLpStn3Js3gFTgm2JtK21KZWAgc-21Taf6JhcYV1DI87NzeUja0yep0YA05pu5j_avrSKPa3IYp3hbrEElGah7AuzBqTx-GxSZtAcdVcYIA_y3n9lXkGe7wKVrVzNF6b8eCdzLIaphGSmxK_GvV9aiKgrrq8tcC3S2GnEtmocQ-9UqvQxff_g/w300-h400/106CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was tying another frog popper on do to the fact the recent smallies
loosened the popper around the hook besides ripping the eyes off of
it. As I was doing this I had a visitor stop by. I’m not sure if he
was interested in what I was doing or just looking for a place to
land and take a rest. He didn’t seem too worried about parking his
butt on the float tube.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bP_FWQQjAOs-2il2pP-te84-JR5qaZLr__p6F8-daoRbcWnQHwm-vC2_mTL1tasu1AnZYkRZ2O3vzHV0qmfcg4yCveCE1PtybF1lr2bsjzIPwn_pVPLweeZ_OG_SYrKta5EwdLtatSWOpxaElBfFLcBeee1HVTqlfAogVO40hUzRQzgWoSXaB24wcg/s2799/110CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2108" data-original-width="2799" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bP_FWQQjAOs-2il2pP-te84-JR5qaZLr__p6F8-daoRbcWnQHwm-vC2_mTL1tasu1AnZYkRZ2O3vzHV0qmfcg4yCveCE1PtybF1lr2bsjzIPwn_pVPLweeZ_OG_SYrKta5EwdLtatSWOpxaElBfFLcBeee1HVTqlfAogVO40hUzRQzgWoSXaB24wcg/w400-h301/110CR26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was kind of a lull in the action for an hour or so. The water was
pretty shallow as I floated so I didn’t cast many times and just
put my fins up in front of me and drifted. When I got into deeper
water I was ready for more action. I was pretty far from the bank.
Down river I could see a big long fallen log just out from the bank
aligned with the flow of the water. I kind of walked my way on the
shallow bedrocks within casting distance. Being the water was shallow
I didn’t want to get too close to it and cause a water disturbance.
‘Just maybe’ I thought ‘there were a few smallies underneath or
near the log in the shade of it.’ I hauled off a strong cast
towards the log that fell well short. I gave a couple of hard noisy
gurgles to draw attention and then started swimming the frog popper
back towards me. The commotion did the trick. A fish surfaced with an
audible gulp and took it under. I reared back and the line tightened.
I could feel this was a weighty smallmouth also. He made for a good
time battling before I got him close enough to lip him. Nice one!</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QUaQJJT-jUvq2snz4iWZ-qDH8-kNKFPjLKT8QMyqoebuvy21wUq_u_pPr9ZJv5HJskAkLkHKyDSLGeZRd2mYAglFDgqd2P1mMz9s5PzpnVuBh4CLK9s6gQu5kbaNFLk9aGq9fDwUCyDU7D75dn3daKMq_09PNT-u5M3sI-A-NFKD6f9qd1W7YoHxzg/s3337/307ACR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3337" data-original-width="2503" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QUaQJJT-jUvq2snz4iWZ-qDH8-kNKFPjLKT8QMyqoebuvy21wUq_u_pPr9ZJv5HJskAkLkHKyDSLGeZRd2mYAglFDgqd2P1mMz9s5PzpnVuBh4CLK9s6gQu5kbaNFLk9aGq9fDwUCyDU7D75dn3daKMq_09PNT-u5M3sI-A-NFKD6f9qd1W7YoHxzg/w300-h400/307ACR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwMyHCzCBexDc8tPlmix2EafVSznR27t9sef8e9L-NzmWAO00049XkdC3bouk7RaBaU5gpDGc9RHtNuG72CAk16SeFoDjBwttrcBwArm2KIrX9zEXdjy3Nq7gmPvkdD47aGfdZp3BizkKUcAs-2mklwHOZ8poHAOCO6YXHlXP71ftVyRccEiJBzedoQ/s3043/307CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3043" data-original-width="2283" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwMyHCzCBexDc8tPlmix2EafVSznR27t9sef8e9L-NzmWAO00049XkdC3bouk7RaBaU5gpDGc9RHtNuG72CAk16SeFoDjBwttrcBwArm2KIrX9zEXdjy3Nq7gmPvkdD47aGfdZp3BizkKUcAs-2mklwHOZ8poHAOCO6YXHlXP71ftVyRccEiJBzedoQ/w300-h400/307CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></span><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> ‘<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
maybe’ I thought there might be another close by. I gave another
long cast towards the log. I didn’t make much of a commotion this
time but hesitantly popped it towards me with short pauses. A
smallmouth exploded on the popper as if he thought it was hurriedly
escaping from him. Again I reared back after he took it under and
again the line tightened. This one was cleaver enough to escape from
my grasp though before I got it too close. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
now I was pretty close to my exit point. In fact I was able to see
the garage my bicycle was parked at across the road. I kept within
casting distance to the roadside bank and casting over towards it.
The water appeared to be pretty shallow but I kept casting as if
there was nothing else to do before getting to my bike. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was one huge boulder up against the bank and ¾ of it was in the
water. Maybe that boulder held enough water back to make it a deeper
pocket of water. What ever the reason, after my popper hit the
surface and after a couple of short pops, a smallmouth inhaled the
frog popper in an overwhelming disturbance that sprayed water in all
directions. It surprised me, no doubt, that I thought I was going to
be late on the hook set after he took it under. I yanked back like I
was going to rip the lips off of this one. The rod arced deep and I
felt the fish tussle on the straight tight line. I watched as the
wake was noticeable upon the shallow surface as he swam upriver
through the shallows. He circled around me in deeper water and into
the stronger current and I gave him some line. After he swam
downriver some I held tight and I could feel him turn. He burst out
of the water, full bodied, shaking the popper stuck to his lip. A big
splash followed as he submerged beneath. I’m not sure if this one
was ever caught before but he wasn’t giving up too easily coming to
the float tube. Even once there I had to be real careful lipping him,
not wanting to get hook stuck, as he pulled and tugged on the bowing
rod near the tube.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjV45-enNL66a3YpGSZ3-0U_KId1u28k45Zt3CEKTytcdm2UXuJvVK_eLdXvxm5yKuF1mgQkwTPODbWfB-qlZUCG_tnWwKCS4kZ9s879Nb__QCBG3SFSp-0Fh5R-IvzYuyU90qfM4NEMxrKgRCpX7vYhD8W9OvBZ2HDH6jvF-ByYcJ7CwRx76B2J2HA/s2531/323CR26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="1899" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjV45-enNL66a3YpGSZ3-0U_KId1u28k45Zt3CEKTytcdm2UXuJvVK_eLdXvxm5yKuF1mgQkwTPODbWfB-qlZUCG_tnWwKCS4kZ9s879Nb__QCBG3SFSp-0Fh5R-IvzYuyU90qfM4NEMxrKgRCpX7vYhD8W9OvBZ2HDH6jvF-ByYcJ7CwRx76B2J2HA/w300-h400/323CR26.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
that ended one of my best, most hooked smallmouth fishing on the
river.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
doesn’t get much better then that!</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-67703922099653523602022-08-31T09:18:00.003-04:002022-08-31T09:18:39.407-04:00I'd Walk a Mile For a Smallmouth<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’d
Walk a Mile For A Smallmouth</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8/28/22</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRKaCUy2G0KHeUbGIwSh8hCCvz_-USkCx7bRMjkvvakj7tiYO9D3Uilwhj7RLUCH3DNMwXJ2WO4LB4vsVF1GpOAZefNVD-uUaKirvUQouBEaM-FN0Ws_a5Ba53-6wx5BYWGAb3y4c3JPSlcOukkK_u2Zei7sEdhMjLjBlulkHPF1p22jtecYDz1Ht7g/s2688/cr1245bug2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2015" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRKaCUy2G0KHeUbGIwSh8hCCvz_-USkCx7bRMjkvvakj7tiYO9D3Uilwhj7RLUCH3DNMwXJ2WO4LB4vsVF1GpOAZefNVD-uUaKirvUQouBEaM-FN0Ws_a5Ba53-6wx5BYWGAb3y4c3JPSlcOukkK_u2Zei7sEdhMjLjBlulkHPF1p22jtecYDz1Ht7g/w300-h400/cr1245bug2.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was a clear blue sky morning with small puffy cumulus clouds dotting
the sky like a hot air balloon festival without many entries. I drove
the truck up river and hid my float tube in the brush along the
river. From there I drove downriver a little over a mile and parked
it where I would end my float along the river. </span></span>
</p>
<p> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
grabbed my Winston Boron 6 weight, put on my hat and started my mile
or so walk up the road to my float tube. It was already heating up
though the sun wasn’t quite over the far side mountain of trees.</span></span> </p><p>“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why
do I do this?” You might ask?</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
fly fishing for smallmouth! </span></span>
</p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
got the float tube in the water and latched my flippers to my wading
boots. I attached a silver popper to my tippet and rolled up the
sleeves of my button down shirt. As I sat down in the float tube I
instantly felt the cooler water from the warm air temperature. It
felt relieving after the long warm walk up the road.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
took a while before I came to the conclusion that the smallmouth
didn’t want noisy poppers on the surface water. I threw out
different color and sized poppers for a good hour or so in likely
fishy holds I thought for sure to raise a fish. </span></span>
</p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s
been like that though the past week or so. I get out on the water by
9:30 before the sun rays brightens upon the river water. I cast along
the banks and mid-river, that are still shaded by now, without much
action. Maybe a small smallmouth or even a river chub might take a
stab at one of my poppers but nothing of size or excitement. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
knowing the bite doesn’t really happen till the sun overcomes the
river around 10:30 or so I still get out earlier. It’s just hard
for me to sit around in my camper till then after breakfast twiddling
my thumbs waiting for the right time.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
pass the time in the morning I light up my first stogie. I relax in
the float tube and cast about aimlessly hoping for a hungry
smallmouth wanting a surface popper. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lD8SCfnqkpD0kabRNF5qJ5CAzt-ry2K-YXDYFIq4sGKN3xyNVUt8dkzF1EtNMlrWFS4FymrZNPXccSNRmSPoyfug4tlySiHnR3JRXi159pdEZB1bzxGaBSINB8-nXUmI6Xs8lZ5PR6XTCVi604es_Mbf9FzxaaVtZJU6i7eG-S5-iPDH4RvM7_i7wQ/s2621/cr953cigar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lD8SCfnqkpD0kabRNF5qJ5CAzt-ry2K-YXDYFIq4sGKN3xyNVUt8dkzF1EtNMlrWFS4FymrZNPXccSNRmSPoyfug4tlySiHnR3JRXi159pdEZB1bzxGaBSINB8-nXUmI6Xs8lZ5PR6XTCVi604es_Mbf9FzxaaVtZJU6i7eG-S5-iPDH4RvM7_i7wQ/w400-h300/cr953cigar.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well
it took till around 11:30 to hook into my first good size smallmouth.
Seeing that they wouldn’t rise to a surface popper I decided to go
beneath the surface with weighted Woolly Buggers. It’s not
something that I go too often for smallmouth but if they’re not
interested for top water I cave and fish underneath.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was casting across river, letting slack line between the bugger and
the rod tip. When the bugger fell it would sink deeper before the
line pulled it down stream with the current. As the floating fly line
was arcing on the surface I saw the line pull away and felt the take.
I yanked back the Winston and the line tightened on a hooked fish. He
must have been as surprised as I was that he was fooled and I was
surprised immediately feeling the weighty pull of a good sized fish.
As the fish took tensioned line out of the reel I was foot searching
for bedrocks to stop my momentum floating down river. As he fought
and tugged I got my flippers against a shallower boulder beneath and
was able to steady myself. He swam upriver with force and turned down
river using the undercurrent to his advantage. Without giving him
anymore line, and keeping tension on the bowed rod, I slowly was able
to reel him in closer to my float tube. He splashed water aside the
float tube like a peddle boat before I was able to lift him to the
apron. Now that’s what I’m talking about! A nice fat smallie. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklTta3rf-N2-qi7LubChBwnqaO0hWjpqP4nM9NPZHJHfPejs2hQDP7Re7ISAyZCZ5LaWL2ZILRiCE6xLsn14l2ptKRSFGMppWvPZrujtKH-n85ca2BFKu1o1Dh4epBzPQW77c1oiyZnwAogugBsF9dWlLV5bm-gTCQWd7WQBshOeN9xCsJWvXmV9jOg/s2621/cr1136bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklTta3rf-N2-qi7LubChBwnqaO0hWjpqP4nM9NPZHJHfPejs2hQDP7Re7ISAyZCZ5LaWL2ZILRiCE6xLsn14l2ptKRSFGMppWvPZrujtKH-n85ca2BFKu1o1Dh4epBzPQW77c1oiyZnwAogugBsF9dWlLV5bm-gTCQWd7WQBshOeN9xCsJWvXmV9jOg/w300-h400/cr1136bug.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sticking
with the weighted bugger I continued casting it out in the same
manner. Within 15 minutes I had another grab at the bugger and I
tightened the line with another yank of the rod over my shoulder. I
felt this smallie was as weighty as the last one and put up a good
wrenching battle all the way to the tube. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys2sxThIInnjL-1uRW2vqbtW35T8gEAFfKX9Nq3HrGu0diGUb1wZ6D5wr4-FhykEGg2g1b4mVp6CNrfWF-7T7Gs4F8IAug6o0UzAbPWWiyYt3aR7OhCeFgwLirtdAO1H8703DwQ2BbjpFDraXoC-ouZLiyJZRBKaT8NYOU2HTVXyoSccixzgKa867qg/s3770/cr1148bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3770" data-original-width="2242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys2sxThIInnjL-1uRW2vqbtW35T8gEAFfKX9Nq3HrGu0diGUb1wZ6D5wr4-FhykEGg2g1b4mVp6CNrfWF-7T7Gs4F8IAug6o0UzAbPWWiyYt3aR7OhCeFgwLirtdAO1H8703DwQ2BbjpFDraXoC-ouZLiyJZRBKaT8NYOU2HTVXyoSccixzgKa867qg/w238-h400/cr1148bug.jpg" width="238" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
much as I hated to admit it, catching smallies underneath instead of
on top, I was having lots of fun. I hooked into a few smaller ones
before another hour passed by. I hooked into one more nice size
smallie in a faster run of water maybe only a foot or so deep. Once
the bugger hit the surface it didn’t drift very far. A smallie
grabbed it on the run and took off with it like the last bag of
Cheetos on a snack table, at a yard party, he didn’t want to share
with his friends. The line straightened out pretty quickly and I’m
sure he wondered what happened when the force of the arcing rod
slowed him down immensely. He kind of made a curvature beneath,
downriver from me, as I held the fly line pretty tight. It was if he
finally realized he wasn’t going in the direction he intended and
exploded out of the water, full body, to see who or what was holding
him from his intended progress. He twisted in mid air, with a head
shake, before clumsily plopping back into the water. He must have
used up quite a bit of energy because it didn’t take too much of my
time getting him to the float tube and on the apron.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g5ab8kXb_4a8CQtsqsOtoU7TEABAOrB4mVHyEEOKXxFRx9Nhto8SzXapIm6CEpqBjMhGaAcO7Y-CbQXp8Wl0X52Hb9uyZhUilm2wTA1S3ANSC-gw7qPqXCOr4h8UDevdUgt3uXpRNvHP9DtTpWBAsWVWyqcfm-0DDHdgPauLwE9ChJ5CbWmidt8zOg/s3521/cr1245bug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3521" data-original-width="2641" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g5ab8kXb_4a8CQtsqsOtoU7TEABAOrB4mVHyEEOKXxFRx9Nhto8SzXapIm6CEpqBjMhGaAcO7Y-CbQXp8Wl0X52Hb9uyZhUilm2wTA1S3ANSC-gw7qPqXCOr4h8UDevdUgt3uXpRNvHP9DtTpWBAsWVWyqcfm-0DDHdgPauLwE9ChJ5CbWmidt8zOg/w300-h400/cr1245bug1.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
now my arms were getting tired of battling with these husky fish and
constantly casting. I got into some shallow water and it was a good
break in casting to just float down the river with my finned boots up
guiding my way out of the shallows. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
kept with the bugger beneath far a while and grabbed one more nice
smallmouth in a deep run I wasn’t sure my bugger was getting down
deep enough.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zc1kYv3Ilifw0-6FBPEASSjd7LNETnijBc-lySSE3tPBwg5yq-Pr0kkKJVw2Ntwn4HgpJHgFO144fHHDG5is4tqfEX90NFHEi-2_yLkQNECdx-ePjS4jwptbuVlk0EJewqh34qC4MOyvf4z2vZgBubTFAcS2FpQuo3RcOKVepbx_mjWWCAsmR-_KCg/s2621/cr107bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zc1kYv3Ilifw0-6FBPEASSjd7LNETnijBc-lySSE3tPBwg5yq-Pr0kkKJVw2Ntwn4HgpJHgFO144fHHDG5is4tqfEX90NFHEi-2_yLkQNECdx-ePjS4jwptbuVlk0EJewqh34qC4MOyvf4z2vZgBubTFAcS2FpQuo3RcOKVepbx_mjWWCAsmR-_KCg/w300-h400/cr107bug.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
hooked into two more along that deeper section. One was not as big as
the other and the other one felt like a pretty good sized one but got
himself undone in the short battle between us.</span></span>
</p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
now it was about 1:00pm. I’ve been in the water around 3 ½ hours
by now and was getting tired. Believe it or not! I decided to put a
popper on and just relax and not as determined as I was earlier. I
continued on floating with the current pitching the popper out
aimlessly. There was a big shelved boulder just out from the roadside
bank that looked like a good resting spot for fish wanting out of the
sunlight. The water wasn’t very deep between the bank and I but it
looked to be deep enough to hold fish. The current was slow flowing
against the boulder. I got my feet steady on the shallow rocks
beneath and heaved a cast in that direction. I watched the popper
drift and when I made a sharp short strip caused a fish to surface
and grab the frog popper. I yanked back and tight lined the thief. He
wasn’t a big’n but it was an excitement that had eluded me for
the past hour or so. I finally was able to raise one to my popper.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I
actually pulled 2 more out of the same little area and missed one
before moving on.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Within
distance of my extraction point there was a shaded section under an
overhanging leafy tree along the bank. I didn’t know how deep it
was. I was in maybe 2 feet of water within casting distance and
figured maybe a small bass might be holding under the shade. I cast
out the popper within a short distance of the bank side brush and,
after a short strip and gurgle, watched it drift into the darker
water beneath the tree branches. I made a couple of short strips,
barely making too much of a popping noise, when a smallie porpoised
out of the water at my popper. I was immediately surprised at the
sight of this big guy in such shallow water. I instinctively yanked
back the rod quickly as if I was trying to set the hook on a quick
rising trout after a Mayfly instead of letting the bass take it under
before closing its mouth. When it flopped back into the water I
wasn’t sure if I had him or not. When the line straightened with a
quick swimming fish on the other end I was sure I hooked him but
wasn’t sure how securely. As he made his escape I gave an extra tug
on the rod. I wanted to either secure the hook set or if it wasn’t
a good hook set than let it come undone. The line stayed taunt and
the fish battled against my will. I got my last nice size smallie to
the apron, on a popper, just before my exit point.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4kELazPSLI7CxNWnA8-ze9wFRVjq7-Ag-5ApdZY0NQVcm6Jy_M3WD-jBHmVT3am3lojj9wiXbh3Tc43eTfIuqm8EElujp4c2w934XirHZqPq6DFI_jQ38JK2uj5_iaY1T93sK57CtzeRf_3G-r9NpZ36xXYxQ-JqbAlvdSgoaWzgjOIlt15XQ8hkPg/s2621/cr237pop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4kELazPSLI7CxNWnA8-ze9wFRVjq7-Ag-5ApdZY0NQVcm6Jy_M3WD-jBHmVT3am3lojj9wiXbh3Tc43eTfIuqm8EElujp4c2w934XirHZqPq6DFI_jQ38JK2uj5_iaY1T93sK57CtzeRf_3G-r9NpZ36xXYxQ-JqbAlvdSgoaWzgjOIlt15XQ8hkPg/w400-h300/cr237pop2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbr8M9Z_qxWtGqhrN6Tvl6ajBE8BvuolwUQsL6pNhlRqHqWlpmh8HMHfoR0qcjl8Fu2Mrd7OxPtxWSwdyY2Mj14vNj0n6ugSsflsAFs2WoPCSY5_ud1nI8WhOmIHYlxHR22Q469I1I9msWcV9qY1rEf4dEwoTyizbwyIYbFufJKp8PBn9zaJ8Pg5rvA/s2621/cr237pop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbr8M9Z_qxWtGqhrN6Tvl6ajBE8BvuolwUQsL6pNhlRqHqWlpmh8HMHfoR0qcjl8Fu2Mrd7OxPtxWSwdyY2Mj14vNj0n6ugSsflsAFs2WoPCSY5_ud1nI8WhOmIHYlxHR22Q469I1I9msWcV9qY1rEf4dEwoTyizbwyIYbFufJKp8PBn9zaJ8Pg5rvA/w300-h400/cr237pop1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></span><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
the time I got everything in my truck it was near 4:00pm. I was in
the water for about 6 hours. I was tired, my casting arm was sore but
I wore a smile on my face.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back
at camp I steamed some leftover breaded walleye fillets, Ramen Noodle
slaw and a dark Murphy’s Stout.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtltxymU4tC_2pX2rMozzi9gy27wv4c9vevctVpii6A0MBR-8AXVN5cjp7b1HSF2KCecGekuQL-OW7VIctn2TMblkY-aY_t1iYmOcwE4vi1LF3kVQCIwhRpgdrWYj3SSbbv_8rK93S1JBWthVrAsWkdplLdM8VOdt94Cg0INg-OyuINN7_ocmqPAuBwg/s2621/cr433dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtltxymU4tC_2pX2rMozzi9gy27wv4c9vevctVpii6A0MBR-8AXVN5cjp7b1HSF2KCecGekuQL-OW7VIctn2TMblkY-aY_t1iYmOcwE4vi1LF3kVQCIwhRpgdrWYj3SSbbv_8rK93S1JBWthVrAsWkdplLdM8VOdt94Cg0INg-OyuINN7_ocmqPAuBwg/w400-h300/cr433dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> After
a short needed nap I got a campfire going and relaxed with a fine
cigar. That Stout tasted so smooth and good earlier I couldn’t
resist having another while enjoying my cigar and campfire.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFn_5X5y6zPeDkxYgFsRj-yjDm4vxl_bPgC718aCsYL-OQVvf8j_PGbpGsv5HUNgi1ZQlcG6A66OFVNSStEzcW7YxGI8HAJaLU2zVt19VfGZG7nsC26hrrHTiG-xxMSgYC_DesPnvjF7EC78Zmx2nAADOqkGOrHYPCOb9YbFuTl4P4ZvyIbkvSgNs-w/s2621/cr819fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFn_5X5y6zPeDkxYgFsRj-yjDm4vxl_bPgC718aCsYL-OQVvf8j_PGbpGsv5HUNgi1ZQlcG6A66OFVNSStEzcW7YxGI8HAJaLU2zVt19VfGZG7nsC26hrrHTiG-xxMSgYC_DesPnvjF7EC78Zmx2nAADOqkGOrHYPCOb9YbFuTl4P4ZvyIbkvSgNs-w/w400-h300/cr819fire.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> ~doubletaper</span></span>
<p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-44426667148207168772022-08-14T07:10:00.000-04:002022-08-14T07:10:17.708-04:00A Break in the Action<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
Break in the Action</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7/29/22</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuSl_o0zqRCjz9adLIgv9Qnlx9PZOE8gVH4pW4nqQttTeVhlNgbbMEojnp871GlVw-SncavRuOrmZ9vk3xgaxdhYW1sQ_mpHNsIPqbODUJsYDo0x1DRvxySWRrCx4pq5zSsEXmpbItwJo9bnkmJa87KsXiKd-v-g1QAUk2e844temcxgmnQWkUfHOrw/s2101/CLR3%2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="2101" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuSl_o0zqRCjz9adLIgv9Qnlx9PZOE8gVH4pW4nqQttTeVhlNgbbMEojnp871GlVw-SncavRuOrmZ9vk3xgaxdhYW1sQ_mpHNsIPqbODUJsYDo0x1DRvxySWRrCx4pq5zSsEXmpbItwJo9bnkmJa87KsXiKd-v-g1QAUk2e844temcxgmnQWkUfHOrw/w400-h373/CLR3%2049.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had a friend drop me off 2 1/2 miles upriver with my kayak. I had a 6
weight fly rod and plenty of poppers to fish for smallmouth bass. I
hooked one and missed one in the first ½ mile. Things were slow. I
was about 2 miles upriver from my truck when my fly rod snapped do to
my error. I usually carry a spinning rod with me in the extra rod
holders in the kayak but I decided not to on this float. Bad choice!
Disappointed, I paddled the 2 miles back to my truck and headed to
camp. It was around 1:30 when I reached the campsite. Brian was still
there and I told him what happened. I took my gear out of the kayak
and put the stuff in my float tube. I assembled my Winston 6 weight
fly rod. I wasn’t done yet! Brian took me upriver again and dropped
me off about a mile from the launch site. I was back in the game.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
started finning my way across river casting that way to get line out.
Surprised, a smallmouth lunged at my popper unexpectedly and I
totally wasn’t ready. He refused to show up again once I got
settled and ready.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
water seamed to clear up some from the morning. The bank sides I was
casting to a couple of days before were pretty shallow. Know wonder
why I wasn’t raising any fish to my poppers. I concentrated on
casting further out from the bank and casting more often mid-river in
deeper water. With the bright sun shining down and the warm
temperature I figured the bass were holding in deeper water or in
more riffling current. While drifting downriver a I did catch a
couple of smaller smallmouth and missed one before I came into a deep
wavy current partially out in the middle of the river.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGjsCb6RGCIXD0FcZg6zbYTbB9JF_dDGp5WFuNVJqEY5cne6x7nKzYdZOomWNWzA4OJkp1Yulvit43bG7k8DN5n4hkDFeZI5ghg7cu1_VxI9lmSXAygGNEVLDjVIrnO5kcFYDLcuk6cLZ4FuMpft5ok67AD-LK7mHhgTQMAP00vVfV0rrrM81DqUAmA/s2621/CLR2%2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGjsCb6RGCIXD0FcZg6zbYTbB9JF_dDGp5WFuNVJqEY5cne6x7nKzYdZOomWNWzA4OJkp1Yulvit43bG7k8DN5n4hkDFeZI5ghg7cu1_VxI9lmSXAygGNEVLDjVIrnO5kcFYDLcuk6cLZ4FuMpft5ok67AD-LK7mHhgTQMAP00vVfV0rrrM81DqUAmA/w400-h300/CLR2%2046.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsY7v9iCkwOySGaIPAOF0BknoAvLsXtpU8sZTjtbj0-Tf7leaBEudTEU29DdsocZ790J82G-R-rZmtPEs3YrCIKhz6y4_lDZg6sYI0eoHynNAEQwIp31M1HtFTRjwa5M_KB04Hiyv1bV6UXZg610D9OquDpa_DG18u9iQh1eO2ZciZACaMDHfaMILZQ/s3161/CLR3%2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3161" data-original-width="2371" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsY7v9iCkwOySGaIPAOF0BknoAvLsXtpU8sZTjtbj0-Tf7leaBEudTEU29DdsocZ790J82G-R-rZmtPEs3YrCIKhz6y4_lDZg6sYI0eoHynNAEQwIp31M1HtFTRjwa5M_KB04Hiyv1bV6UXZg610D9OquDpa_DG18u9iQh1eO2ZciZACaMDHfaMILZQ/w300-h400/CLR3%2030.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></span></span><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was a big exposed boulder that had a calm back eddy behind it. I was
finning my way towards it while casting the popper into the calmer
water behind it. I made a cast maybe 15 yards in the calmer water
across and down from the boulder. I made a few quick strips towards
me and the popper splashed noisily as it skirted the surface my way.
A smallmouth suddenly surfaced, half exposed, and quickly gulped at
the slow moving popper like a guy in a hot dog eating contest seeing
how many dogs he can get down before time ran out. I let him take it
under briefly then yanked the rod up and back. The line instantly
tightened, the rod arced towards the fish and the spool spun spitting
out line as the smallie took off into the faster current. I started
to fin frantically to get out of the wavy current and into the eddy
behind the boulder. I could tell the smallie wasn’t a light weight
and held the rod tightly like carrying a briefcase through a New York
Subway. Once I was in the back eddy I had more control of the action.
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
smallmouth started to swim towards the far bank and up river some. I
held the line taut without giving him much line as he was pulling off
before hand. He turned with the current and headed downriver again
tugging the line and flexing the rod. I held myself steady with the
rod high as I watched the leader cut through the surface water. The
smallie swam from my left, downriver from me, through the calmer
water and beneath the faster current on my right. Though the rod was
arced he tugged some more as if to be sure I was still on the other
end. As he continued to struggle neither of us was gaining any
ground. I couldn’t get him any closer and wasn’t giving him any
more line. It was if who had who? </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back
through the calmer water he broke the surface. With half his body
exposed he shook the popper that hung from his mouth. Water splashed
about and then he disappeared into the river as quick as he showed
up. It was if he came to the surface just to see <u>who</u> was on
the other end. He sped into the faster current to my left so I angled
the rod down to my right. He swam closer with force and semi-circled
through the calmer water and back into the faster current to my
right. I angled the rod to my left and brought in more line. He was
losing strength and I was gaining ground. He made unsuccessful
attempts, with tugs, not to come nearer to me as I reeled line onto
the spool. He splash helplessly as I lifted him to the apron.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLKGdZTM_ZCUFND8M4BGzwab_iAgFskhW2CeO6doNiNroWYsZ18jqzAbES7GbY0VGW7zvxAgb0Dt870nXbDhWJXcgjMuMvnmk7vci9sxy95Xcwoow3Biww8ZGdOmNvK3rUFkpKstAYi60ZwXngm5FbJ_ToF7XCOsnnyq1HTmDEYEwXr-hNbPKrE3uTg/s2510/CLR3%2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="1882" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLKGdZTM_ZCUFND8M4BGzwab_iAgFskhW2CeO6doNiNroWYsZ18jqzAbES7GbY0VGW7zvxAgb0Dt870nXbDhWJXcgjMuMvnmk7vci9sxy95Xcwoow3Biww8ZGdOmNvK3rUFkpKstAYi60ZwXngm5FbJ_ToF7XCOsnnyq1HTmDEYEwXr-hNbPKrE3uTg/w300-h400/CLR3%2046.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Well,
that’s what I’m talking about!</span></span>
</p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
little later on two kids in their kayaks and a guy in a fishing
pontoon passed by. They had spinning gear and were just drifting as
they fished casting towards the bank. I wasn’t in a hurry and
slowed my pace letting them get downriver a good ways. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was just out from the bank kind of finning and touching rocks with
the tips of my fins. I was not that far from the bank casting out
towards open water. There was big boulders beneath that I was able to
steady myself against at times. The sun was high above the water
casting shadows below the trees that overhung the river. I made a
cast down to my right in a darker tree shadow the overhung from the
bank side. The popper fell and I let it drift just beneath the leafy
branches before popping it towards me. A smallmouth exploded out of
the water, pouncing on it, like a male feral cat on a young rabbit.
After setting the hook it was if he was terrorizing the popper trying
to jar it loose. He took off out into the deeper water down from me.
There were big boulders beneath surrounding me so I kept the rod tip
high not to let the leader or tippet rub against the boulders as the
fight with this mad fish continued. After he struggled out in open
water he energetically swam towards the bank again. I was holding my
flippers steady against the rock bed. The rod was arced good and I
was slowly bringing in line. The smallie swam, from the bank, towards
me deep. I could see there was a big boulder between the bank and I
and wouldn’t you know it he got himself beneath he boulder before I
could steer him downriver. I tugged and swung the rod trying to get
him out as if trying to dislodge an anchor beneath a sunken
waterlogged tree limb. It wasn’t working very well. With the rod
arced, and pointing towards the stuck fish, I slowly drifted
downriver. I got myself below him and angling the rod near the water
surface I was able to force him out from under the boulder. Not
liking that his escape plan didn’t work he desperately struggled
furiously not wanting to get anywhere near me. It took some time and
patience but I was able to get him to the apron also.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUOrrLYryliBNMaZia0dCH1MRDR6RoYQnGmvjolUJfTFF5ic-rcm46zkgGtHhX8hWdstVO2DmTUBQZcLzwXVLP_4yL2fU8qUzYlCGt9ilHseTQSuA_6eQDMWWE5A67BhU1KDwOB05_xxBV4bIkxibdVM2njNeqFPnZ02etm0wp_RAGAni4FUYtnyRkQ/s2621/CLR4%2035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUOrrLYryliBNMaZia0dCH1MRDR6RoYQnGmvjolUJfTFF5ic-rcm46zkgGtHhX8hWdstVO2DmTUBQZcLzwXVLP_4yL2fU8qUzYlCGt9ilHseTQSuA_6eQDMWWE5A67BhU1KDwOB05_xxBV4bIkxibdVM2njNeqFPnZ02etm0wp_RAGAni4FUYtnyRkQ/w400-h300/CLR4%2035.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking
downriver there was a branchy down tree limb that laid out from the
bank. The kayakers were casting towards the branches. I lit up a
stogie and watched them for a short bit waiting for them to give up
and drift down river. <br /></span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIZuC3uxZgedqzE31WaYfxlqryXgSLFuamQTRD09bhMgP_uUIrP3G9iL4fkIWbi6T7-bAompeX6OS2Oy9c76hGl3OuiF-rE-qUcy7rX4GHY1aOrlUO2KcGw3P3GIKCdK6Mgs09bUzXdbbnv0EcEMDhxxiKPlhpkgCwb91gJM0ZGV3Nwb8UCyVKfYnVA/s2621/CLR4%2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIZuC3uxZgedqzE31WaYfxlqryXgSLFuamQTRD09bhMgP_uUIrP3G9iL4fkIWbi6T7-bAompeX6OS2Oy9c76hGl3OuiF-rE-qUcy7rX4GHY1aOrlUO2KcGw3P3GIKCdK6Mgs09bUzXdbbnv0EcEMDhxxiKPlhpkgCwb91gJM0ZGV3Nwb8UCyVKfYnVA/w400-h300/CLR4%2049.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> When
I finally drifted within casting distance of the fallen limb I spent
some time trying to coax a smallie out from the branches. A smaller
one tried for the popper but I missed it. Other than that the other
fishermen must have spooked them enough the bigger boys weren’t
coming out to play. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wasn’t very far from my exit point and just drifting slowly. The
far bank was rocky and sometimes shady beneath the overhanging trees.
I knew there was some deeper pockets along the rocky bank. I had a
gaggle of geese watching me as a fished and drifted by.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4GTs17Y22jhUZydYJtoZ1bZMtaa2KOGy1GE-pMgDxD1Gzd8s3Q66_VH02tZ_S5B0Y_GMERtnfdwuuQUH-GzcURP8P3WtAQKX_p8CMAEaeBZ0D2r48_F0F1WWRDKAg803l9uhV4L47-or_-3ci9d-sfcwukPO9QZdQnNE0ZvNBBfG5GPMv_Mzbl3v2g/s2621/CLR5%2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4GTs17Y22jhUZydYJtoZ1bZMtaa2KOGy1GE-pMgDxD1Gzd8s3Q66_VH02tZ_S5B0Y_GMERtnfdwuuQUH-GzcURP8P3WtAQKX_p8CMAEaeBZ0D2r48_F0F1WWRDKAg803l9uhV4L47-or_-3ci9d-sfcwukPO9QZdQnNE0ZvNBBfG5GPMv_Mzbl3v2g/w400-h300/CLR5%2006.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
made casts as close to the boulders as I could and stripped them
towards me upon the calm surface water. In between coves of boulders,
in the shadows, I tried to make soft casts and swim the silver popper
towards me like a dying bait fish trying to recover upon the surface.
In one of the coves the popper fell to the surface and a smallmouth
rose and inhaled the popper like it was an easy meal. Maybe I had way
to much slack line out but I reared back while pulling in line. The
line shot up out of the water and tightened. The smallie exited the
water like a kid jumping from a trampoline high into the air. His
body was fully exposed in mid air and not seeing the popper I thought
he shook it loose. He splashed down upon the calm water and went
under leaving a whirl of bubbles on the surface like a bubbling hot
tub. As he disappeared deep the line tightened again with the rod
arced and quivering like that of a ham operators long antenna in a
wind storm. We had a good battle as he covered water around me like a
shark swarming in for the kill. Only thing was he was attempting to
get away and I was determined on bringing him in. Eventually I won
out. The reason I never saw the popper was that he inhaled it further
into his mouth before I was able to set the hook in his jaw.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDOjoJlKwMTGXycEUvf3emOeWkLtqhGewzMRoU6LKnSU36eqoZvOUY-QIgsK2xRIHhvdMCAVMEGmxrzIfoSxHCoHvPdlXuXnxjQfoTSjgw_BPdWoqXsK9IN1cqsctRq7VJYpPy3yQvlniKXWoqZXg1kdD9M34GGaYprZZPhNUjOr3XPJBXNmbA3DUdg/s2621/CRL4%2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDOjoJlKwMTGXycEUvf3emOeWkLtqhGewzMRoU6LKnSU36eqoZvOUY-QIgsK2xRIHhvdMCAVMEGmxrzIfoSxHCoHvPdlXuXnxjQfoTSjgw_BPdWoqXsK9IN1cqsctRq7VJYpPy3yQvlniKXWoqZXg1kdD9M34GGaYprZZPhNUjOr3XPJBXNmbA3DUdg/w400-h300/CRL4%2055.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">As
I was crossing the river to my exit I was able to coax one more
smallie before calling it quits.</span></span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcA0oA1CBYEg1mTy8ROtF2U9SET4sMqJh9_ykx9zeGoF--zhabpKgiVKTjgN_mbTCVttlxRccXIVRY2D66pJLC-hNunY6jjOQqdktDS6wfKgf6wb7fc4j6MoyLsysAtSRYjS5ZN_1X-oP20rEXc_gdKqqgg8fjXcDaiuFMoGfjS0OfvVIsoGonOZzEg/s1902/CRL5%2032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1902" data-original-width="1856" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcA0oA1CBYEg1mTy8ROtF2U9SET4sMqJh9_ykx9zeGoF--zhabpKgiVKTjgN_mbTCVttlxRccXIVRY2D66pJLC-hNunY6jjOQqdktDS6wfKgf6wb7fc4j6MoyLsysAtSRYjS5ZN_1X-oP20rEXc_gdKqqgg8fjXcDaiuFMoGfjS0OfvVIsoGonOZzEg/w390-h400/CRL5%2032.jpg" width="390" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Though
I wasn’t happy about breaking my fly rod I didn’t give up and it
turned out to be a fine day of catching after all.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000010667596066885.post-82956548275789071792022-07-08T07:21:00.008-04:002022-07-08T07:46:07.780-04:00Smallmouth Fish Story<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Smallmouth
Fish Story</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6/27/22</span></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_-3EQiF-T4YrMMUH42U3CiT-aVeeE4ZUSVYerfFylix_QFc7dIGv71c7XvaWCE3llWYddwyRy0BJhJJjGIMWmG2VInmfMujfPvqS_c4W-pyp-krOp08NEVXLDX5JJfU1j_ZKufCWiCwYRLKntRcO78eZbqLpZlIZ30JIrsEFo911k8Keldpb_MeuSg/s2489/fish%20stor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2489" data-original-width="1867" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_-3EQiF-T4YrMMUH42U3CiT-aVeeE4ZUSVYerfFylix_QFc7dIGv71c7XvaWCE3llWYddwyRy0BJhJJjGIMWmG2VInmfMujfPvqS_c4W-pyp-krOp08NEVXLDX5JJfU1j_ZKufCWiCwYRLKntRcO78eZbqLpZlIZ30JIrsEFo911k8Keldpb_MeuSg/w300-h400/fish%20stor.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> ‘<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
popper disappeared off the surface with an audible gulp. Within seconds of
tight lining the culprit, a big fat smallmouth exploded out of the
water nearly clearing his tail from the surface. I didn’t see the
popper in his mouth!’</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was out in my float tube on the river once the chill of the morning
warmed up a bit. The billowing clouds were white and picturesque in
the bold blue morning sky.</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbsjfE4Z-ncYRZs3x_6TayR4kpJI0RSsHoG-smawYQgrvRoGAkjUCsYitTDUvsGKoMeR4qxVS4d9ASQQFrIZFt39eIfIkOO-dj6y8WockYGeA22mWD0PSfEpBr6NTDJzhhLOvV--eRuJG7dgWNmW-6oeMBMPsRMZ5D1huG-wQQqMnIvtv0cgHaPxL3g/s1966/8%2054%20morn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="1966" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbsjfE4Z-ncYRZs3x_6TayR4kpJI0RSsHoG-smawYQgrvRoGAkjUCsYitTDUvsGKoMeR4qxVS4d9ASQQFrIZFt39eIfIkOO-dj6y8WockYGeA22mWD0PSfEpBr6NTDJzhhLOvV--eRuJG7dgWNmW-6oeMBMPsRMZ5D1huG-wQQqMnIvtv0cgHaPxL3g/w400-h400/8%2054%20morn.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sun
rays brightened mid-river already as I looked downstream shading the
left bank against the green leafy forest. It looked like an endless
float 1 ½ miles to where I parked my truck. The water was a taint
brown. I could see maybe a foot below the surface but in deeper water
not so much. I was hoping a noisy popper skirting the water surface
would raise a few smallies to make for a good day.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was about noon. The water had cleared up some after 3 hours of
floating and fishing. I was about 28 feet from the left bank holding
steady with my finned wading boots against a big subsurface boulder.
To my right the wavy water current was quick and flowing into a wide
section of rapids about 75 yards down river from me. It’s been a
very slow day so far trying to raise smallmouth to my poppers. The
worst was after about a ½ hour into the float the wind picked up and
I was casting against the wind 75% of the time. At times the gusts
were so strong it prevented my float tube to continue to slowly drift
downriver with the current. Why the wind always blows upstream is
beyond me?</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> For
the past 3 hours I’ve been casting frog poppers and a silver popper
to imitate a dying minnow. I hooked 2 smallies and missed a couple
but in 3 hours I should have raised a lot more I felt. I wasn’t
frustrated or giving up but the excitement was gone and my hopes
weren’t as high. I decided to switch to a brighter color popper and
chose an orange/yellow one. I casted out in the faster water and near
the rock lined bank a few times each without a rise. Sometimes I feel
it’s not as much as the color as it is in the commotion and size of
the popper I’m using that attracts the attention and the take.
Before moving on I decided to snap on a gold color popper to my
fas-snap on the end of my 8lb tippet. I made a couple of casts near
the bank without a strike. I made a few more casts directly upon the
wavy current and tried to make a little more splash and noise between
2 or 3 strips towards me before letting it dead drift a short
distance. I watched the popper briefly dead drift out of the wavy
current into calmer water. The popper disappeared off the surface
with an audible gulp. Within seconds of tight lining the culprit, a
big fat smallmouth exploded out of the water nearly clearing his tail
off the surface. I didn’t see the popper in his mouth! He belly
smacked back into the water and took off with my popper like a dog
swiping the last hamburger right off the picnic table plate. The rod
bowed towards the fleeing fish and I could tell this was a big one by
the forceful weight I felt in my cork gripping hand. He went cross
current at first and then swam downriver with the current. With 8lb
tippet I wasn’t going to let him bully me around too much but I had
to let him take some line out when he swam downstream with the
current
in haste. With the 6 weight rod bowed and putting
pressure on him he turned and sped upriver keeping his distance. The
tight line cut through the surface water as fast as a sues chef with
a Ginsu knife slicing vegetables. We played this game a couple more
times before I was able to draw him a little closer. He swam up
river, circled and headed to the calmer water near the rocky bank.
The float tube and I spun with him and in doing so I lost my footing
on the slanted boulder I was holding against. In the calmer water he
still had enough strength and weight to prevent me from pulling him
in closer. As he struggled in the calmer water, as if trying to shake
off a sticky hanging band-aid on the back of your wounded hand, I
started to reel in the excess line on the float tube apron. Once I
got enough line on the spool I began to try and force him towards me.
The rod arced deeper as the fish tried to prevent from getting any
closer but slowly came nearer with vicious quivering motion. Nearer
the tube he finally submitted and I got him on the apron. He had
inhaled my popper as it was completely in its mouth. He wasn’t
getting away. </span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcQVoRuZ-3yShvyUKFpjj1TD-o-_2G3ZhYmn9kTjnLhLqbXDFPw5XqmmAHR_klpq3vD2K0BrGESVRhlJxZF4Axt9Ai5931GIJPm0xWGRIfGarzSMn0UdCcHe1uu4jsdDdED4QpFycCwTWncXT0PIUo0DrNk0fDm7nOp-CYectzmm31ESGqyPzkCkJ9g/s2586/IMG_E3735.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1858" data-original-width="2586" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcQVoRuZ-3yShvyUKFpjj1TD-o-_2G3ZhYmn9kTjnLhLqbXDFPw5XqmmAHR_klpq3vD2K0BrGESVRhlJxZF4Axt9Ai5931GIJPm0xWGRIfGarzSMn0UdCcHe1uu4jsdDdED4QpFycCwTWncXT0PIUo0DrNk0fDm7nOp-CYectzmm31ESGqyPzkCkJ9g/w400-h288/IMG_E3735.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVynZmCQ6e7WPXuIsrbz7Z1duTBDaWplCVUYhfDVRmKHnP1uLetf9-2VY6W7nvax-m8aM014cGrR_PHPJSm1zY4funwW9TDzCrAbPfLBkgmTrblLjBdNy1rJkD9anUf_RZB5NOlOv4QpUEzOb0ae069tKKXoq5drMXekB6UY4IhnEjkC8UgjRLUsZMZw/s3709/1%2000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3709" data-original-width="2781" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVynZmCQ6e7WPXuIsrbz7Z1duTBDaWplCVUYhfDVRmKHnP1uLetf9-2VY6W7nvax-m8aM014cGrR_PHPJSm1zY4funwW9TDzCrAbPfLBkgmTrblLjBdNy1rJkD9anUf_RZB5NOlOv4QpUEzOb0ae069tKKXoq5drMXekB6UY4IhnEjkC8UgjRLUsZMZw/w300-h400/1%2000.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></span></span><br /><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that fiasco I continued floating and fishing downriver using the gold
popper. I hooked only one more and missed 2 that I believe were
pipsqueaks before getting to my truck. Maybe the smallies weren’t
too hungry but the big one made my day and the time on the water well
worth while. (Along with a few cigars!)</span></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH09JWBtjd2-AA1jguuIhH2sdz-F_S2qcx0PiHCPjzJp3lGVeqGE11Ge_6GSPrAGG_WrfbsswnXTxN3vKEznlX5GB7TLvN1hyQcxTKvFKo7ShDMNs8FCVsZLSkMc3YljBjNE3RYZSUiRSt10E4pwt3dxDu3I34Zoh2zQsd48OKmZVI1iVyczEPNFIOg/s2621/1%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH09JWBtjd2-AA1jguuIhH2sdz-F_S2qcx0PiHCPjzJp3lGVeqGE11Ge_6GSPrAGG_WrfbsswnXTxN3vKEznlX5GB7TLvN1hyQcxTKvFKo7ShDMNs8FCVsZLSkMc3YljBjNE3RYZSUiRSt10E4pwt3dxDu3I34Zoh2zQsd48OKmZVI1iVyczEPNFIOg/w400-h300/1%2003.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> That evening I enjoyed a Killian's Red and another fine cigar out by the campfire.</span></span><p></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqjJr_V7EVQ-NwBdMifg7CR9mz3sN6Z7AW4ogRLhI8EwLQWzC9YqKwTouB7FRxaD3WJ5HdKAHUrj9LKytqakikExvepkIzWuwmx8w6lRQqaWXujUspGD6JO6sK0hxqhGW6LblcnqwcztJmV604vSaLSC6xUUex3MhmWI9qlR3_Ptr8Hiysz6Sc7LTCw/s2621/camp%20fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2621" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqjJr_V7EVQ-NwBdMifg7CR9mz3sN6Z7AW4ogRLhI8EwLQWzC9YqKwTouB7FRxaD3WJ5HdKAHUrj9LKytqakikExvepkIzWuwmx8w6lRQqaWXujUspGD6JO6sK0hxqhGW6LblcnqwcztJmV604vSaLSC6xUUex3MhmWI9qlR3_Ptr8Hiysz6Sc7LTCw/w400-h300/camp%20fire.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">~doubletaper<br /></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
~doubletaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16408650340173243679noreply@blogger.com0