PDA

View Full Version : Training Day - First wild HP ever!


jlmelend
10-19-2007, 01:57 PM
Chris and I had the AM off from work and were fortunate to fish the A together.
This is his second time fly fishing the A ever.
He is originally from Seattle and is in Sacramento training to be an internist under my supervision.
He is relatively new to fly fishing.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/ChrisontheAmerican004.jpg

He took two casts into a riffle with his 5 weight using a large bead head stonefly nymph imitation with a barbless hook.
Next thing I know he hooked, fought and landed a feisty wild halfpounder.
It's his first HP from the A ever. I was so proud of him.

Here's some footage of him fighting this beastie with me coaching him.
Unfortunately you don't get a good look at the fish, but we got some footage of him taking off and leaping a few times.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/th_ChrisontheAmerican005.jpg (http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/?action=view&current=ChrisontheAmerican005.flv)
I'd have to say anecdotally, that pound for pound,
wild steelies fight harder than hatchery fish.

Here's this beautiful bright wild HP which Chris gently released.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/ChrisontheAmerican002.jpg

The next best thing to landing a fish yourself is helping a buddy land one
...and catching it all on 'film'!

Nice job Chris! What a great "training day"!

Joe
Adam Grace
10-19-2007, 02:32 PM
Look at his face, what an expression of pure excitement and pride.

Very Cool 8)
jlmelend
10-19-2007, 02:59 PM
Hey Adam,

Right you are and he holds his catch just like you! I would have offerred to meet you at the Feather, but I already promised Chris I'd show him a local spot to fish. Our interns don't get much time to leave Sac to fish (or fish just in general). You can see though, it was worth the short jaunt. This is one experience you can't take away.

Nothing beats catching a wild one on a 5 weight...except maybe catching an adult on a spey rod!

Joe
Blueracer
10-19-2007, 09:33 PM
Way to go chris and jlmeland!

Way to get him out to the river joe!

Thanks for sharing
Bill Kiene semi-retired
10-19-2007, 10:36 PM
Guys, I'm speechless.................wow.

So cool................thanks.
Tracy Chimenti
10-20-2007, 06:54 AM
Hey Joe, nice story.

Interns can be lots of fun. Have you ever taken Monica Lewinsky out on the A?
jlmelend
10-20-2007, 07:10 AM
Tracy, that goes down as the best reply I've ever received on this board!
I don't know if I should respond :oops: or :lol: or :D !
I hope double entendres are still OK on this board!
Nice one!

Let's just say...I may have taken Monica Lewinsky on the A, but "I never inhaled"...while we fished! :D

Joe