Quick Report From Sunday 17 April

[Nortrad]

Had a good fishing day Sunday on the river with the Jedi transporting us over in his red Honda "4X4". He stuck a bunch of rainbows in upper Tan Vat and two small browns in the PM downstream from parking lot. Leap-frogging from hole to hole brought me to a great spot below the rocks and I hooked and landed a big brown. This one surpassed the one I landed last September, fat and beautiful. I hooked him on an old standard pattern that a lot of guys use but I had neglected to. Jedi outfished me 3-1 at least. The color fly of the day for him was red, go figure. Lotsa snags/lost flies/re-rigging, and, I had to give back to the River Goddess for landing the brown, lost my landing net after releasing a nice rainbow in the main riffle of the rocks. Using the lumbar pack so I just tuck under the waist band. (Forgot my magnet/cord setup, oops.) Walked downstream and put out the word to Chance and his OK crew and a couple of other guys but no luck. Oh well, looks like it's time for an upgrade.

[OKFlyFisher44]

Let's see this brown! Don't be holding out on us!

[Nortrad]

Let's see this brown! Don't be holding out on us!

Gotta generate some 'buzz' first then post the pic...No, I just didn't mail it to myself last night, it's still on the home computer. Nice brief fight, but he got himself into jam by 'spinning' trying to shake the hook. He had my trailer fly wrapped around his mid-section just enough to 'subdue' him. I unwrapped him while he recovered in the net and the Jedi snapped some pics.

I'm a Landon Mayer follower when it comes to fighting the fish, really put the rod at an angle that tires the fish quick, keep the fish off balance. He calls a technique 'walking the dog,' controlling the fish like a dog on a leash. The Jedi said I was 'horsing him a little.' I must disagree with my 'teacher' this time. I've watched guys hold fish too long.

Posting when I get home.

[Nortrad]

Here you go. Post more details later tonight.

[Trout Commander]

What a beauty. Love the coloration. Thanks for sharing.

[OKFlyFisher44]

Sweet fish! I just uploaded pictures from our trip to my thread...

[Nortrad]

Only two things about the picture, the guy holding the fish needs some dental work in front, and seeing that net, now somewhere in the Current River, is, uh, bittersweet. I know, corny, but, a lot of nice fish in that net.

[Nortrad]

The Jedi nailed them with two main flies, both from River Run in Branson, their Ruby Midge on a scud hook, crazy big holo flash midge in red, #12, go figure. And, a fly I'd never seen before, a straight shank nymph hook, #16, w. red brassie wire, hen back collar in brown, black nickel bead, and red thread head above the bead to finish. A 'brassie nymph'? I got the brown on, yes traditional fly throwers, a soft hackle I tied, #14 w. mallard flank tail, gold hare's ear, golden brown dub thorax, partridge, grey/silver bead. Had to switch flies a lot to keep them interested, and, snagging up with too deep setting on the Thingamabobber. Also caught them on red stretch tube midge--Jedi and I had a nice double right in the boulders. Not a lot of love from the fish in the PM for me downstream of Tan Vat, only 4 to hand, but one nice 'bow on a rubber legs. Jedi slayed with the 'brassie nymph'--an easy tie to replicate. Not a lot of interest for some of the new flies that worked last time. Wish I could have fished today. Oh well, shooting for early May, before the river traffic gets heavy. Hang in there, you will get back to the water...

[Gavin]

Some nice fly rod fish...Thanks for the report!

[Nortrad]

Some nice fly rod fish...Thanks for the report!

Thanks Gavin, your info has been very helpful over the last couple of years. I thought of a name for the Jedi's fly: the Imperial Guard...heh heh. My fishing bud said on Sunday, "I don't want to be known as a Jedi, I'd rather be Darth Vader." Ah, we know better...