I fished a stretch that I never fished before, basically going over a bridge and saying "What the heck, give it a shot".
It was like a tunnell. VERY tight quarters and I met quite a few branches while trying to sneak along while still basically in the city.
My first was a solid one at just shy of 14"es on a cricket. I caught this one almost immediately and then went through the usually snobbery these fish are famous for.
Approaching this spot I saw what I thought was watercress waving in the current. Fortunately I recognized it was a huge fish in this tiny stream before I spooked it.
After hiding behind the log on the lower left and trying many different flies, I finally got her to take a rarely used by me stonefly nymph.
The fight was savage but quick as it was so tight here He ended up basically netting himself while going berserk but straight at me.
She gave two of those leaps where you actually hear the fish while its shaking in the air.
A family happened to be nearby and took some shots for me. I remember hearing the gasps as I first revealed her to them.
Yeah, I was big man on campus for a minute.
🙂
I tried to stretch it to 25"es but couldnt get a read past 24 3/4es. I couldnt tell for sure if it was wild, but it was obviously in the stream for some time with the red slashes on its tail.
What a treat and unexpected as well.
I ALMOST called it quits just then.
Maybe 15 minutes later, I was back on top with the crickets and iced the cake with this 18"er that had the sporadic spotting that these wild trout are known for. By far my largest on a dry from this stream.
It was a good day for my work, my dogs, and me. With the way things have been going lately I'd like to think I earned this one, but I know thats not true.
As always, I just took what I was given.
