I had a little free time this afternoon so I took the opportunity to visit the West Branch and check up on those stockies. I tried all my favorite spots, but wasn't having any success. Saw lots of bug life, midges everywhere and even a few early sulphurs. Unfortunately, the trout seemed uninterested in eating anything- real or not. And no rises anywhere, which was surprising. I thought about packing it in. Then the sun started going down and it was a totally different situation...
The spot I was fishing started producing trout after trout. The first one was a nice brown- a good 14 inches and feisty for his size. I hooked a few more of these new residents and then I set the hook on what I immediately knew was a nice fish. This guy ran up and down four times and gave my new reel the test I've been waiting for. I finally got him to net and breathed a sigh of relief. He was a beautiful orange yellow, with a pronounced kype. I managed to get a couple photos in the low light and sent him back to the stream that has been his home for a while now. And to think I almost left. 
Hell yes. That is a beauty. Great job man!
ReplyDeleteThanks man- I'm pretty psyched to have finally caught one of these guys!
ReplyDeleteNice job chris, great looking healthy brown! Really happy for you buddy. Catching a brown that size from a stream is not an easy task.
ReplyDeleteThanks John! I had 6x mono on (ran out of fluoro) so I was really worried I'd lose it... very glad to get this fish in the net
DeleteRight on! There is nothing better than kype, man.... You gave us all hope & cause for that one last cast- congrats, you deserve him! -Tom
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom- yup, you never know when that big one is going to hit- that's what makes it so hard to walk away!
DeleteCongratulations Chris. You are a fine fisherman. That's such a great big slab of a Brown! What a thrill!
ReplyDeleteThanks man! I just happened to be in the right place at the right time- sure made my day.
ReplyDelete