Creepy Fishing Sightings

[Al Agnew]

Flytyer, I know this won't convince you, but I'd be willing to bet a lot of money it was a beaver. Beavers can be pretty big, with heads that look as big as a small bear in the water, and the KERPLOOSH is classic beaver behavior. I've been scared half to death by beavers MANY times. Including just a couple weeks ago here in Montana. It was getting dark and I was fishing to some rising trout in a smooth, quiet run. Dark enough I could barely see the subtle rings of the rises, so I was straining to see where to cast when suddenly, just to the side of where I was looking for those little silent rings, there was a great KERPLOOSH! I nearly jumped out of my waders.

But my scariest beaver encounter was while wading along a cut bank on an Ozark stream right at dark, when a beaver shot out from under the bank and slammed into my legs, upending me in the water. I think I actually screamed that time.

[troutfiend1985]

That would make it your mother.

Unless of course your ex got remarried, then it would be her new hubbies mother.

Hah!! lol. Should watch my posts, meant my ex mother in law, but now that you mention it she does look a little like my mom somedays I wonder how I manage to survive.

[FishinCricket]

That would make it your mother.

Unless of course your ex got remarried, then it would be her new hubbies mother.

I thought about opening that can of worms, but decided against it..

[FishinCricket]

Flytyer, I know this won't convince you, but I'd be willing to bet a lot of money it was a beaver. Beavers can be pretty big, with heads that look as big as a small bear in the water, and the KERPLOOSH is classic beaver behavior. I've been scared half to death by beavers MANY times. Including just a couple weeks ago here in Montana. It was getting dark and I was fishing to some rising trout in a smooth, quiet run. Dark enough I could barely see the subtle rings of the rises, so I was straining to see where to cast when suddenly, just to the side of where I was looking for those little silent rings, there was a great KERPLOOSH! I nearly jumped out of my waders.

But my scariest beaver encounter was while wading along a cut bank on an Ozark stream right at dark, when a beaver shot out from under the bank and slammed into my legs, upending me in the water. I think I actually screamed that time.

Good point, Al.

The light/spotlight can play tricks with varying shadows..

[troutgnat]

That would make it your mother.

Unless of course your ex got remarried, then it would be her new hubbies mother.

Speaking of beavers! They are not something you want hooked up on the end of your flyrod. Yes, I actually witnessed this nightfishing on Taneycomo several years ago. A buddy of mine somehow hooked a beaver stripping in a wooly bugger.......we saw the beaver at one point but didnt know if he was a coming or a going and it sounded like a 300lb gorilla trying to beat us down with a canoe paddle. Yeah, kinda scary when your trying to break him off with 6lb flourocarbon, wasn't very easy......LOL

[troutfiend1985]

http://www.examiner.com/offbeat-news-in-new-orleans/cumming-ga-man-attacked-by-large-beaver

revenge of the beavers

[Mitch f]

I caught a huge Hellbender on a crank bait on the Gasconade about 6 years ago. I really don't think it actually hit the bait but I caught it on the head, I have since found out that they are very rare in Missouri and should have reported it. It was about 20-22"long and weighed at least 2 pounds. It looked like a gila monster with a very fat head.

I released it.

[Wheatenheimer]

But my scariest beaver encounter......

Well, mine was back in college and I had been drinking with my buddies since about 10AM and one of them bet me..........oh, wait a minute.....I can't tell that story here. Sorry fella's, wrong forum!

[flytyer57]

If it was a beaver that I had an encounter with, that was the biggest beaver ever. Thing had to weigh at least 400 pounds.

What I saw was at least 50 yards out and was a large hump. I don't think a beaver would have been all that visible at night that far out. Nor did it sound like a beaver tail splashing the water. It sounded more like a diver hitting the water after jumping off the board. Just a splash. Not a smack like a beaver would make.

So sorry guys, I'm sticking to the bear theory.

[flytyer57]

Good point, Al.

The light/spotlight can play tricks with varying shadows..

The light never shined on it, just in it's direction. I didn't get a chance to see exactly what it was.