That's Why They Call It Catching!

[Justin Spencer]

Took a family float today with wife Amy and 6 year old Eli and 4 year old Molly. Took fly rods along in the hope we might catch a couple fish. Floated Patrick to James, Amy caught 2 before Riverside which is so so, stopped on big gravel bar for lunch and I caught 6 with the first 5 being in the first 20 drifts, all within 20 yards of each other, missing 3-4 others. All but one par marked brown were over 12" biggest about 15. After lunch Amy caught at least a dozen before James Bridge and missed quite a few others. All but 2 were browns. Caught all on rubberlegs size 6. To repay the fish gods at James Bridge I aided a youngster who had been grabbing suckers and had a big treble stuck in his leg. Used the old mono around the hook trick to pop it out, man I hate doing that! Great day with the family, can't imagine how many we had caught if we hadn't been tending to two youngsters! If there is any question as to why fish hit big rubberlegs on the NFoW here is a picture that shows you why. The first rock I flipped there was a stone about like this one, and after showing it off I put it back, and was kicking myself for not getting a picture. Not long after, Eli said he had found a "crawdad or something" I went over and this time got a picture. Just so happens these were right at the head of the island where all those browns were eagerly biting a rubberlegs. By the way river at about 1200 cfs, it is possible to catch them wading, you just have to pick your spots carefully in high water. All of Amy's fish came from the boat, some while anchored. Blow up the fish pic to see the fly. Happy Easter!

[Gilly]

And Happy Easter to you, Justin.

I wonder if your picture will prompt a 2 page catch-release the crickets thread?!

[fozzie.]

What an excellent way to start off the weekend : )

[Justin Spencer]

wonder if your picture will prompt a 2 page catch-release the crickets thread?!

Let's hope not, by the way I dug a hole put the fish in it, covered it with rocks, got my camera dug up the fish took a picture and released it unharmed, hope that's okay. We were following a fraternity group that were tied together in groups of 6-8 canoes. We even heard them set off a cherry bomb, didn't seem to bother the fish, they kept on biting. As annoying as other people can be on the river, usually the fish seem used to it. BOOYAH!

[Chris Gates]

Sounds like a great day Justin! It's nice to hear your report and see how dialed in you are on that river. Pretty cool Amy caught the fish!

[Randall]

Sounds like a decent trip. I bailed on my spring break trip and went to the Current instead b/c the water was at the 1800 cfs mark and I just have no interest in trying to wade that. Thanks for your input though.

[Terry Beeson]

I think it is a mortal sin not to release crickets... Cruel and inhumane... You should be strung up for keeping them...

There... that should get things going....

Sounds like a good trip.

[Paola Cat]

Justin .... sounds like a great time and some nice pics. Thanks for the report. How long did you keep that stone fly nymph out of the water? I hope it was successfully C&R'd! PC

[Gavin]

Good for you guys. Bobber and I are planning to head down soon..Sometime between the 22nd & 27th. Is the CG gonna be busy that weekend?

[soggyfeet]

I knew there were at least two farternity trips down there this weekend and had to look and see if anyone saw them. I used to be in one and they can get roudy (at least 15 years ago they did). When I used to go down with them it was usually so cold we were the only ones on the river. Just so you guys know they do this trip every yr Easter weekend.