Featured Photo: Milky Way Over Pathfinder

Featured Photo: Milky Way Over Pathfinder

Monday, November 30, 2015

Hard Work Pays Off

There are some days on the water where you work really hard all day and end up not catching any fish. Other days you may catch just one or two fish. These days are much easier to enjoy when one of those fish turns out to be a really big brown trout.

Yesterday, I hit the river with David Perry for a long day on high water. The norm on high water is heavy rods, big flies, and sinking lines. We had the added bonus of steady rainfall all day which is great streamer weather if you ask me, but the moisture can get a little tiresome after six or seven hours on the water.

Usually, when you bring your own boat, you get to choose when to fish. Despite bringing his boat, David was nice enough to row first for a while. Eventually, we switched and he started working the water. After he had cast countless times to a long and usually productive bank with nothing to show for it, I looked through my box and pulled out a fly that I developed last year for these tough high water conditions. With nothing better going on, it wasn't too hard to convince him to tie it on.

Soon we were drifting through some good looking water. I found a safe spot to drop the anchor so I could throw a few casts out of the back of the boat with my own streamer rod. Only a few casts later, David said, "There's one." He was calm about it, but I started reeling in my line anyway just in case. Only a breath later he followed up with, "It is a pretty good one."

I yanked up the anchor as fast as possible and started chasing the fish down the river. Soon we were within striking distance so I grabbed the net. Amazingly, everything worked as it should and we were staring at 25 inches of gorgeous brown trout. All I can say is that David is a fish catching machine. He not only catches some really big trout, but also puts his clients on big fish as well.

Large Caney Fork brown trout


The rest of the day was anticlimactic. David graciously returned to the oars after catching his monster. I eventually found a couple of small fish willing to play and near the end of the day David caught another smaller fish as well. A bald eagle made an appearance as well which is the first time either of us have seen one for several months, at least on the river. Still, neither of us could stop thinking about the big fish, and I'm guessing we'll be back looking for more again over the next few weeks.

For the time being, high water is going to be a problem on the area rivers and streams. Not good high water either, but higher than you really want to float and fish for the most part. Heavy rain over the Cumberland Plateau means we'll see extended high flows. The good news for streamer fans is that the elevated flows will eventually push all the fish into high water lies so streamer fishing will become better once fish become established in those places. Check back in another few weeks for more as our winter streamer season really gets going.

Until my next time on the water, I'll be tying flies and dreaming of big brown trout!

10 comments:

  1. That is a beast! Perfect coloration too, so many red spots!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was definitely one of the prettiest fish I've seen in a while!

      Delete
  2. With one that size, you only need one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's how I look at it also Mark.

      Delete
  3. David
    Those brown, bows and yes brook trout is why I love fishing the Caney--congrats to David and to both of you for braving the rain most of the day. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bill. It is a special river for sure.

      Delete
  4. Hi, David.
    Kudos to both of you for putting in the time and effort to chase fish like that one! What a great Brown. I noticed you did not go into detail on your Streamer pattern...
    Anything I might want to use out in Northern Colorado?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel, probably not honestly although if you want to learn more shoot me an email. I don't want to publicize it on here for everyone to read. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. What size/weight rod would you recommend for streamer fishing on the Caney? And do you do winter guided trips?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brandon, a 6 or 7 weight (you can go heavier) is ideal with fast sinking line. My preferred rig as a 7 weight TFO TiCrX 9' rod with fast sinking type VI line from Airflo although any good sinking line will work. If you prefer a sink tip, make sure it is one of the longer sinking tips like the ones Rio makes that are 24' long (I believe) for the tip part. Full sink is best though on this river even though they are a pain to cast. Finally, yes, I do winter guided trips. If you are interested in booking just shoot me an email or call and we can talk about what streamer fishing entails. Thanks!

      Delete