Unexpected meeting leads to big fish on dries...

albatross

albatross

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Joined
Oct 2, 2006
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Location
SW PA, Greensburg
I stopped at the Breeches on my way to Washington Wednesday. I was minding my own business when a couple of Jack Russell terriers started harassing me. That can mean only one thing, Squaretail is nearby!

Dan, Chicky, Lucy, and I chatted for a while and all agreed nothing much was happening at the breeches. He commented on the big brown I had caught on the Yough recently and told me he had to show me something. We drove to an undisclosed location on another stream where Dan put on a clinic in catching big trout on dry flies. Dan caught 3 trout if memory serves me. The two he caught on top were well over 20 inches. I managed two trout, the largest about 19 inches on top. I missed a few very large trout that almost made my heart stop. I didn't leave the stream till after 10 PM, so I reached Washington after midnight. I was tired in my meeting the next day, but it was worth it!

Here are two shots of Dan's largest fish. A brown around 24 inches.

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Wow!!!!!!!!!!! That is a great fish!
 
how cool! I am in awe, how long did they take to bring in?
 
TimRobinson wrote
how long did they take to bring in?

Maybe 3 minutes on 4X tippet. Thankfully these big fish wanted big flies and the heavier tippet was appropriate. I would not want to try to land one on 6X.
 
Look at that thing, congrats man. What a healthy fish!
 
well played sir.

I have been using 3x on my nymph rig lately and then some times tying a short (6") 4x tippet before the flies, using the bloodknot as a holder for my shot (if needed, lately it has not been). sometimes I also tie a dropper on 24" up with a 4" drop and a wet fly of some type.

have you been getting deep quick to get into those lunkers or just letting the flies do their thing on their own? also, how do you determine depth (obviously it varies per hole but i mean relative to depth and conditions), everyone has their own formula, and if you dont mind sharing yours I would find it insightful.

I realize this may seem prying and perhaps complicated , but any insight is appreciated. I just enjoy comparing notes, haha.

again, well played sir, those are beaut's!
 
Awesome fish! Keep them lines tight.
 
Great fish! Great story! Those are the days that we live for and are burned into our memories forever.
 
Nice going Greg. Timing - and a little luck - can certainly make a big difference in fishing for sure. And you seem to have a knack for finding big fish.
Just wondering though - were you guys fishing a hex hatch by any chance?
 
DryFlyGuy wrote
Just wondering though - were you guys fishing a hex hatch by any chance?

Bill,

There were enormous bugs flying around. We never got a close look, but we suspect they were giant stoneflies.

Niether of us really had adequate flies. Dan was using a green drake spinner and I was using a PMX fly.

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Ha! Nice fish for sure.
Dan that bad boy splash ya a lil? you look a bit wet ;-)

I got to get out there again.
 
The Fish Whisperer strikes again!

at least we know where Squaretail is!



 
I retract earlier comment, I missed that this was on the top (blue moon)! thats even crazier! nice work!
 
Nice report.Those are some great fish.Dan is definately the MAN.
 
very very nicely done, what a fish. I was up that way fishing with a couple friends and had a great time. thanks for the pics and story. love seeing fish porn like that!!!!!
 
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Some days I just dont want an adventure or trek. I just want some easy wading, casting, and to get the dogs out.
The Breeches has always suited these days perfectly.

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I am one of the louder voices that say the fishing there is no longer above par. In fact, I find it below. Almost completely catered to the harvester by state and club alike. The bright spot has been the increase in wild fish, but again, the harvesting has limited them to a largely very small size, noticebly smaller than these dink stockies. I was still due a visit there, like I do all my surrounding streams atleast sometime throughout the year.

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I dont know how far it is between where we live, but just bumping into Albatross on a stream has to be atleast a 1000 to one.
Once he swore an oath and let me blindfold him, I took him to the Gods Gift place as I call it. Although like many other places that arent what they once were, theres still some there and I was really worrying that we wouldnt catch anything and would just be taking Greg on a goose chase.

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We picked a good night as they were rising more than usual. What a maw.

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Once Greg caught this feller I was satisfied that he could be conent with the extra time spent on his still pretty long journey.

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Had a pretty leopard like pattern to him, and Greg shook my hand after the release.
Theres alot of folks that know this place anymore and there was another fellow there that left before it got hot. The owners even found trot lines of all things that were hung up even after he took them down the first time. But its not like its unexpected and anymore that kind of stuff just seems the way of it. If I catch them I kick them off, and if not I dont.
But on this night it did seem to be a nice ace up the sleeve for Greg and myself after a day of 8 and 9 inchers.
It was great bumping into you Greg and I now feel last weeks dinner has been earned.
:)
 
I love this too!

There is nothing better than showing or taking someone to new water with large fish. God's Gift is a neat little place and I'm grateful I've gotten to fish it in the past.

This post is a perfect example of the joy this forum can provide the angling community.

The look in Alby's face says it all. :) Nice fish!
 
You got that right, Sal! Look at the grin on that face!!!!
 
Albies grin is nearly as wide as that beauty of a brown.Well done ,both of you.
 
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