A.M. wet wade report

[Charlie Gonzales]

AKA the perils of small hooks.....

Decided to leave the boat at home today and work on an area that I have been finding fish from shore. Fished a 9wt with a OBS floater and since I was wadeing I threw smaller flies(1/0 clousers). Worked a nice run and while swinging/twiching the clouser came tight to a nice fish that quickly had me into my backing and couldnt turn her. I started palming my Galvin T10 to slow her down and she rolled on the surface a couple times, it looked like a very nice upper double digit fish. Finaly was able to start putting line back on the reel and she turned to make another run when everything went slack. I figured that the barbless fly had come unbuttoned, but after realing everything back in I was left with a flattened Gamakatsu 60 degree jig hook. But its like they say...its better to have loved and lost than not at all. Very fun morning.

[Jgoding]

Sounds exciting, too bad you couldn't quite get her to hand but least you got to see the fish.

[BillB]

Nice Charlie, I would like to see that!

[GreggH]

A T-10 and quickly to backing??? Holy crap. Either that thing was a 12 pound Bone or you fell asleep at the wheel. Probably the later. When your ready to mooch some salmon gimme a call. 12 lb main line, Calcutta on the GLX ..... way fun.

[Charlie Gonzales]

Holy schnikes Gregg those are good looking fish. With my new schedule getting away is next to impossible, but the things I could do with those fish! The first thing that comes to mind is a nice Gravlax, homemade potato chip, and creme fresh.

And BTW I was all over that fish, maybe too much. I have a scar on my index finger from the line peeling off so fast. But to be honest it has been sooo long that I have fought a fish that size from the shore I probly put a bit too much pressure on it, Im used to them just towing around the boat; and I fell twice trying to scurry down stream to get after it.

[RonOtto]

Charlie--'Had a 2/0 open up (same hook type/mfr.) trying to stop a good fish below Gristmill from my boat a couple of years ago. Maybe sometimes it just isn't meant to be.

But you never forget the power, the sensation--just like losing a big steelhead. And it's always there, lurking at the edge of your memories.

Next time.


Ron Otto