I landed an 18" and 19" fish Saturday on the A high-sticking with a Frenchie. The first (bigger) one jumped 3-4 times, as high as 5 feet in the air, and spooled me three times. Second one hunkered down on the bottom. Arguably my best day ever on the A. No other hookups, only a few other hits over the course of 5 hours. I saw no one else fly-fishing, only a few spincasters.

Are there any defining characteristics of a blue back? These were hatchery fish. One had a chewed up tail and the other a semi-healed slash on the side -- as if they both had some battle scars from being in the ocean. So I doubt they were fresh hatchery releases. If I'm wrong that would be a real bummer.