Big Brown On 4 Wt

[Justin Spencer]

Yesterday evening I headed down to slippery riffle to try my luck. The leaders on my rods are trashed and I have no tippet smaller than 3X so I grabbed my 6 year old's Ross Journey 4 wt with fly start reel and gave it a try. Caught a 11 inch rainbow on a little green caddis. Then noticed some big yellowish ugly bugs zooming around, not sure what they were, the size of a big stone, but didn't fly like a stone (any ideas). Put on a yellow size 6 pat's rubberlegs and hooked and lost another small rainbow. Had covered the same water 3 times before I finally got the big brown to eat. This fish hit and quickly got me into my backing, when you hook a big fish in fast water it is quite a rush. Got my drag set as tight as I dared and proceeded to fight this fish for 10 minutes or so. With no net I finally was able to get this fish to hand and measured it at 21 3/4 inches. Had to fight the algae a little but well worth the effort. Had a few fly fishermen here last weekend and this week and everyone is reporting good fishing, even with low clear water and high sun.

[MaxDrown]

Very nice.

[Justin Spencer]

Looking at Brian's Hex report for the 11 pt. I think that is what was hatching down here.

[crawfly]

Nice fish. That 1st. pic is also a most excellent photo. Good job both times.

[Gavin]

Nice Justin...I'll bring you some hex patterns next time I'm down..The duns are yellow, but the spinners are kind of dark brown....Another possible would be the Autumn Sedge...its a big caddis bout a size 6-8 that hatches at night this time of year....A Madame X in approppriate colors often does the trick...even during daylight hours.

Hex

http://www.troutnut.com/hatch/32/Mayfly-Hexagenia-limbata-Hex/index.php

Autumn Sedge

http://bugguide.net/node/view/85436

[Trout Commander]

Nicely done!

[Justin Spencer]

Thanks for the info Gavin. Pretty sure it's the hex, Autumn Sedge should be here soon, they end up all over our windows at night when we leave the lights on. Guess I'd better fish again tonight and take a bug net just to make sure that is what I am seeing. At least that's what I'll tell Amy I'm doing as an excuse to try and catch this fishes momma.

[Bman]

Sweet

[rgriff49]

Nice work, Spencer! A hex hatch can be some real fun if the fish key in on it. Stimulators and Madam Xs (like Gavin mentioned) can be good flies and hex nymphs (and even golden stones that look similar) can work as well. Good luck and keep us jealous, uhh I mean posted.

Griff

[laker67]

A great looking fish Justin. Thanks for posting.