Private waters...

[jlmelend]

There are times that I will pay anything to feel the tug from a fish. That's right... you heard me say it...sometimes I am a "trout bimbo". I'm not proud of this - but that tug is a drug! My buddy Chris and I went to a "pay to play" private water area thinking we would have an easy time catching some dumb trophy fish.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/HatcreekranchAugust2008018.jpg

Much to our chagrin these fish were not biting on anything on 4x tippet. It took 6x tippet, stealth picture perfect presentations in gin clear water and every possible fly in our arsenal. The water was ice cold and and the sun was directly above us. Damsels were everywhere but these monsters would only bite on hoppers or paralyzers on top near the weeds. Only one bit on a wiggle nymph. Smaller PTs and hare's ears drew strikes as well.

Here's an MPEG of Chris hauling one in...it put up a nice fight.
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/th_HatcreekranchAugust2008024.jpg (http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/?action=view&current=HatcreekranchAugust2008024.flv)

Nice Hog, Chris
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/HatcreekranchAugust2008004.jpghttp://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/HatcreekranchAugust2008006.jpg

This one took me in the weeds and looked like a procupine by the time I netted it.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/HatcreekranchAugust2008002-1.jpghttp://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z180/jlmelend/HatcreekranchAugust2008009-1.jpg

Definitely worth the drive and the rod fee.

[jhaquett]

Hey Joe,

Where were you fishing? It looks like a place that I used to go near Cassel.