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.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!! That is a great fish!

how cool! I am in awe, how long did they take to bring in?

TimRobinson wrote Quote:

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 Quote:

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.

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!!!!!