Almost Striper Time

Yesterday evening I took a trip to one of my favorite places to fish for stripers. The expedition was as much a scouting trip as an actual fishing trip. So far we haven't found the fish up shallow where it is easy to target them with a fly rod from shore. Since I don't have a boat or consistent access to one, I make do when the fish are within casting distance from shore.

The trip was very useful and added a bit more knowledge to my repertoire. First, the fish weren't in our favorite spot. Second, most fish are not up feeding on the surface yet although in a few select spots they can be found busting bait. Usually they take patterns deeper in the water column, but I had to go to a Deceiver before finally hooking up. Unfortunately, the last lesson learned was more of a reminder: Don't overpower stripers...when they are ready they will come in. After a solid fight with a very nice fish, I lost the striper when the hook pulled free.

Hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks things will continue to improve. There are few options here in east Tennessee that can compare with the adrenaline rush from hooking a big striper. I hope to try out some musky within the next few months, but until then, stripers are high on my list of best fighting fish here in our area.