Little Piney 2/27/16

[Sharps4590]

This occurred almost a month ago and I apologize for being so late in posting.  mreed81 and I had been trying to get together since last fall and the day before my birthday all the stars aligned and we finally managed to put a trip together.  Matt and I met in Rolla at the Moto-Mart then continued down to the 63 bridge at the Little Piney.  The creek was beautiful, plenty of water with just a hint of color.  That Saturday was clear, very little wind and warm for the 27th of February.  A hatch of Trico's came off and another itsy-bitsy bug, smaller than a Trico, that I didn't recognize.  We both caught a few smaller fish that were beautiful in their parr marks but nothing of much size.......until.

 

In one nice run I kept getting a pretty good tap in almost the same place but after 3-4 times I expected I was hitting a rock or submerged limb. I was fishing a dry and dropper rig and on one "tap" the dry disappeared. I figured rock/limb again but just in case lifted the rod tip......and the fight was on!! That trout must have been feeling really frisky because he jumped at least a half dozen times over a foot out of the water where I got a good look at it. I thought it was fully 16 inches of incandescently marked rainbow trout but Matt should be consulted for confirmation.  'Course no fisherman EVER overestimates the size of "the one that got away".  I was fishing the 6'6", 4 wt. bamboo rod I made last spring from a Tufts & Batson blank and I had my hands full. Matt heard the racket, had to see some of the jumps and yelled to me asking if I wanted him to bring his net. I quickly accepted his offer. I had it close to the bank 2-3 times but I knew it was no where near ready to come in. Each time it turned into the current and took off for the tall and un-cut. With 6X tippet I couldn't put a lot of pressure on it so just stayed steady on the fish hoping it would be enough to turn it and eventually get it close enough to net. The last time I had it close to the bank....I knew it still wasn't ready to submit....it made it's usual turn and run, leapt what seemed to be two foot into the air.....and my line went slack. Matt asked if it broke off but I didn't know yet. As I reeled in my line I could see both the dry and the dropper so nope, wasn't broke off. I looked at the dropper to see if anything happened to the hook and it was fine.......except.....it was about as dull as a butter knife. It was a "dry/dropper" rig I had used the last time I fished almost a year ago and evidently there had been enough moisture on the hook when I wrapped it around my hat and stuck it in the hat band so that it rusted the point down to a dull, round nub. Losing the really nice trout was my own dadgum fault for not checking the hook when I tied it on. Howsomever...I was immensely pleased with the way the little Tufts & Batson blank performed and it was a genuine hoot playing that fish on that light rod. Ah well....that's why it's called fishing and not catching. Great day to be on the creek with beautiful weather and delightful companionship. We WILL do it again!

Matt, I'm really glad you came down.  After the last 9 months I didn't realize how much I needed that therapy.

 

[mreed81]

It was a great day on the water, and a fun time fishing with you, Vic! You're a class act and I enjoyed the time spent.

I can confirm your estimate of it being a solid 16" fish that was full of energy and fight! You sure had him close. It's always the best ones that get away.

I'm glad we were finally able to meet up, and yes, we will definitely have to meet up soon and catch some more fish!