Since picking up fly fishing, I have seen a trend. First it was to catch a fish, any fish, just a fish. Then it was to catch the biggest fish. Then it was to catch the most fish, then the widest variety of fish, then just enjoying the aspect of fishing. I am in between the biggest and widest variety. Currently I am fixated on trout, specifically browns. I have struggled with getting into the bigger browns, hard without a boat. I also like to stick to dries and resist the urge for streamers, etc. Maybe the occasional midge or nymph. I caught the 14" one on a Dave's hopper after missing him early on a soft hackle. I knew he felt the hook and was probably done, but I wanted to try a hopper on top to coax him into eating again. It took probably 30 casts, but he ate and he ate hard! Nice little fight and after several failed net attempts, I finally got him.
Then, I wanted to go after some wild brookies. I have never caught one, much less a wild one. Headed out with a buddy for the smokies. Water was very low and fish were even more wary than normal. This was a totally new way of fishing for me as it was almost like hunting. A lot of creeping up to plunge pools and sneaking behind big boulders. And still the fish spooked most of the time as soon as the fly hit the water. Used a dry at first, a yellow elk hair caddis, as yellow stoneflies are common hatches there. Later added a black ant dropper and really increased my catch rate. The stream was incredibly small, even for small stream standards, and getting the fly was difficult. A lot of bow and arrow casting.
Can you spot the brookie?
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"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." ~by Paul O'Neil, 1965~
"Chance favors the well prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
We only borrow the land and sea from our children.
Congrats! As well as nice pics.. Flyfishing is a great way of fishing and the solitude of it when back in at the old trout streams make it even nicer.. Deffinately a great way of getting away from it all..
Beautiful fish and beautiful scenery. Nice Catches! Also, Blue Moon has become pretty popular down here in the deep south, most people like to put an orange slice in it, but I prefer it better without. Again, beatiful fish, congrats on the catches!
I'll be going out this evening..as today is the last of the tourney..{ -;
plan to fish that back pit exclusively gangly...bad moon and all.LOL
I do plan to fish a different worm a little.. Black and blue Bass Assassin and black and green Fishing Worm Salt Inpregnated
At 8 :00 PM I'll turn on the texas rangers and tampa bay rays..I'll leave about 9:00 PM...I'll take my heater along..for the big lizards or gang members..it happens.
Very nice photots. Will be chasing 20+ Native German Browns this weekend. Nice catches.
You gotta love those that are so big they still have the German accent! Good luck to you and put some pics up if you catch 'em.
__________________
"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." ~by Paul O'Neil, 1965~
"Chance favors the well prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
We only borrow the land and sea from our children.
Congrats! As well as nice pics.. Flyfishing is a great way of fishing and the solitude of it when back in at the old trout streams make it even nicer.. Deffinately a great way of getting away from it all..
Truer words have never been spoken. One of the best trips I have been on. Not another soul around, except the hikers on the nearby trail. No other fisherman though. The stealthy running and gunning reminded me a lot of turkey hunting. It was a blast. However, I did learn I am severely out of shape as I awoke the next morning to aches and pains with every step.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangly
Beautiful fish and beautiful scenery. Nice Catches! Also, Blue Moon has become pretty popular down here in the deep south, most people like to put an orange slice in it, but I prefer it better without. Again, beatiful fish, congrats on the catches!
I've always like it. Had it a few times in college (w/orange slice). It's a nice flavorful beer. I only enjoy one or two every now and then these days. So nice to have some with flavor. Not like the soda water beers I would kill in college.
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Originally Posted by Chuck7
Very nice photos...
Thanks Chuck. Good to see you back on here. I have been trout-crazed for the last 5 months or so, so I don't have much bass experiences to share which seemed to be the norm around here these days, so I just lurk every now and then.
__________________
"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." ~by Paul O'Neil, 1965~
"Chance favors the well prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
We only borrow the land and sea from our children.
It's actually a point and shoot Olympus Stylus camera. They are very durable, shock-proof, water-proof, heat-proof, etc. Payed maybe around $250 for it. As for eating the fish, when I am traveling light like that, I have nowhere to keep the fish. Plus, with those small brookies, it would take way more than the limit of 5 to make a worthwhile meal! The browns hold a special place for me and I usually release all of them, but I have wondered what they taste like and might cook one some day. Trout in general just don't taste that great to me. If I want to eat fish, I get crappie or bluegill!
__________________
"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." ~by Paul O'Neil, 1965~
"Chance favors the well prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
We only borrow the land and sea from our children.
Been doing a little fishing here and there....
Good luck to you and put some pics up if you catch 'em.
The browns hold a special place for me and I usually release all of them, but I have wondered what they taste like and might cook one some day. Trout in general just don't taste that great to me. If I want to eat fish, I get crappie or bluegill!
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