40 in 40

[FishnDave]

On 9/11/2020 at 5:50 AM, Ham said:

the Push For 100 ends 12/31/2020 But the 40 in 40 starts now and ends 12/31/2023. This Magical Nonsense Tour is about me trying to catch a Particular Set of 40 New Lifers in the Next 40 Months. Some will be easy (Location, Location, Location) and some will likely prove to be very difficult.

How's this going?  Not all you've caught are in BOLD on the first post of this thread, yet.  31.5 days left?

[Quillback]

2 hours ago, Ham said:

Shovelnose Sturgeon !!!@LittleRedFisherman took me fishing yesterday and I had quite the Happy Accident. 

That is a fish you don't see everyday.

Caught a lake trout yet?  Just read an article where they say Flaming Gorge reservoir has too many of them.  

[Ham]

3 hours ago, Quillback said:

That is a fish you don't see everyday.

Caught a lake trout yet?  Just read an article where they say Flaming Gorge reservoir has too many of them.  

I have not. @FishnDave wants a Lake Trout. Having too many of them sounds perfect for Dave and I. 

[Ham]

I’m behind on my documentation. I’ll do some catching up. 
I knew it was pretty unlikely that I was going to even close to all 40, but aim high right? 
i don’t think I will be able to check any more off the list, but I’ll get the list caught up over the next couple of days 

[Ham]

Greenside Darter

this dopey looking Darter was a fun catch. They are super spooky. It ran into a pile of rocks, but there was a natural chimney that I was able to lower a tiny piece of worm on a tiny hook down to it. It freaking ate immediately. 

[Quillback]

11 hours ago, Ham said:

I have not. @FishnDave wants a Lake Trout. Having too many of them sounds perfect for Dave and I. 

Kokanee and burbot too, dunno if you have either of those.  I believe there are some unusual fish in the Green river above the reservoir too.  

I've seen the Green river when I visited Dinosaur Nat. Monument, looked to be plenty of access and since that section has no trout probably gets zero pressure.  

Fish - Dinosaur National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

[FishnDave]

@Quillback @Ham Those suckers and pikeminnow would be a fun challenge on fly too!

[Ham]

Florida Gar

Dave and I saw so many, casted to so many, got strikes from so many, but only caught them when we were Tarpon fishing. So, you’re thrilled when you get a hook up, but you can’t help but be a little disappointed that it’s not a Tarpon. 
i really appreciated @FishnDave dragging that beast out of the water for me. 

[Quillback]

48 minutes ago, FishnDave said:

@Quillback @Ham Those suckers and pikeminnow would be a fun challenge on fly too!

I thought the CO Pikeminnow was interesting, grows up to 6 feet long, that's one big minnow!

[Ham]

Yelloweye Rockfish

My trip to Langara was so much fun. I hate that I did not have a dedicated fishing partner, but the extra challenges of doing it solo, made my successes more satisfying.

We were flying out Saturday morning, but I still needed one more Silver Salmon and another < 90 cm halibut. I was the first boat out as soon as they allowed me to depart. I watched the sun top the horizon as I headed to my chosen area in pretty heavy seas. 
I got my Silver Salmon very quickly and started dropping my swimbait for halibut. I caught a few non halibut along the way including this beautiful Yelloweye that I was so Happy to catch. They are a total catch and release in Canada and you are required to use a descending device to help get them back to depth and minimize barotrauma.

check out the isopod parasite at the base of its fin. Creepy little alien demons.