klingy
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 591
I haven’t been on the stream much recently. Work, kids, house stuff all have been taking priority. With finally a couple hours free this morning, I headed out to a small local spring creek. Though not famous like it’s bigger limestone neighbors, it has always treated me well.
About 30 minutes into fishing a dry dropper, I see a big shadow emerge from a log jam and break on my dropper. At the exact same time, a small brown hit the dry. I instinctively set the hook and pulled the whole rig out of the water. It dangled fishless at the end of my line as the bigger fish darted back to its ambush spot. Damn.
So I waited.
I slowly tied on a black bunny closer - something I have fooled big browns on before. After about 10 minutes, I carefully rolled the fly into the hole. Immediately, the fish darted out and looked, but refused. Tried again. Another refusal. Damn.
So I waited.
After 15 minutes, I thought the fish might show itself again. I had tied on a black weighted bugger, and was ready to try a third time. I rolled the fly towards the log. It hit the side and quietly ricocheted into the water.
The brown shot out of the log jam and slammed the fly hard. I resisted the set, as I could tell it didn’t take it. It started heading back to its hiding spot, but then turned back around, charged, and inhaled. Game on.
It was a beautiful dark yellow, and it’s red gills flared as it ran downstream. After a few charges and head shakes, it quietly came to the net. I admired it for a minute, and then watched it slide back into the water. Sometimes it pays to wait.
About 30 minutes into fishing a dry dropper, I see a big shadow emerge from a log jam and break on my dropper. At the exact same time, a small brown hit the dry. I instinctively set the hook and pulled the whole rig out of the water. It dangled fishless at the end of my line as the bigger fish darted back to its ambush spot. Damn.
So I waited.
I slowly tied on a black bunny closer - something I have fooled big browns on before. After about 10 minutes, I carefully rolled the fly into the hole. Immediately, the fish darted out and looked, but refused. Tried again. Another refusal. Damn.
So I waited.
After 15 minutes, I thought the fish might show itself again. I had tied on a black weighted bugger, and was ready to try a third time. I rolled the fly towards the log. It hit the side and quietly ricocheted into the water.
The brown shot out of the log jam and slammed the fly hard. I resisted the set, as I could tell it didn’t take it. It started heading back to its hiding spot, but then turned back around, charged, and inhaled. Game on.
It was a beautiful dark yellow, and it’s red gills flared as it ran downstream. After a few charges and head shakes, it quietly came to the net. I admired it for a minute, and then watched it slide back into the water. Sometimes it pays to wait.
