Summers, most folks generally believe that once you hook up, you will probably get that fish to hand.
It may be true on many waters, but not necessarily here.
On the T the learning curve steepens dramatically between hooking them and landing them....
Many of the best fishermen in the area have stories to tell, of auto accident- like moments.
Short meetings with Walter....
I've been lucky enough to see a few of these moments as well....standing next to them of course......
Most of the time the transition from a pleasant fishing face, to "Game face" takes to long.
The fish is already into his trick list before you know he's on.
Since the last 6 guys to hook him couldn't handle chasing them down stream......he may go long.
Turning sideways in heavy current is a favorite of theirs too.
Or he/she may stay j-u-s-t close enough to that stump, or rebar.
Some air-out regularly because that often works...
(Think Polaris missile, 5 launches in a row.)
There's the savage grab, that breaks you off immediately.
Not even a chance to farm it....
And most often seen, "TAP TAP TAP" and gone. No set necessary.
(The last one is fun after several hours of casting/drift practice.)
Focus fades, and there he is....
That's the bar setting on the T, not just getting the grab, but dealing with it.
If I was into numbers of fish, I'd fish somewhere else.
But most of us live here because it ain't easy to start with, and only gets harder......
Hang in there......check my blog post for more...
Jim
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