I wish you guy's could have been with me today

[Chief Grey Bear]

I did something today that I have never done before and almost positive I will never do again. I'm just glad my 8 yr. old son got to see it.

We went fishing on a small creek in Jasper County that I had not fished in 20 some years. It was great to get back to this little gem. It won't be 20 years before I fish it again.

There is one stretch of water that is not more than about 3ft deep for about a 1/4 mile. I figured we would pick up a few small fries as we worked our through this area. Imagine my surprise when ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz. I was using my favorite Rebel Tenn. Shad floating Minnow that is not made anymore and extremly hard to find. If it gets hung up, I go swimming!

Anyway back to the missile that just launched. I had seen her just ahead and called Dylan over to throw his Rebel Crawdad at her. I just knew she would latch on to that and it would be the greatest thing to see him battle the great fish. Well, she didn't seem to be in the mood for crawdads and moved on.

We did the same and continued our slow journey down stream. We didn't get more the about 30 ft and I threw up towards the bank under a low hanging tree. And that is when the missile launched. She immediately head for the brush and hung me up. I was making my way over to her and was with in about 10ft when she busted loose with my favorite plug in her mouth. I was heart broke and mad at the same time. It wasn't that I lost a great fish, but that I lost a great plug that is impossible to find anymore.

So after counting to 10 and then counting to 10 again, I still had a few choice words as I tied on a new plug. Yeah I had another one of those in my little box that I carry on my hip, but I wasn't gonna put it on. I used a different style Rebel minnow and Dylan and I resumed our trip.

We fished for about another hour and just had a ball of fun. I kept thinking about my plug that I lost. The more I thought about it, the water depth, how she kept hanging in the same area, I just figured I would go back and see if she was still there.

My thought was that if I could find her, I would try to snag her and get my plug back. Yeah I know, that ain't gonna happen. Who ever heard of such a crazy idea.

Well, folks that is just what happened. On our way back to the truck, I stopped at the scene of the crime. I gently eased into the creek and made my way over to the other side where I had last seen her. And by golly the fish Gods were smiling on me today. There she was underneath some brush with my plug still stuck in her mouth. I tied on a Rapala sinking minnow. I eased it down toward her and took a swipe at the plug that I lost. I missed and she was gone. CRAP!

OK so that not really what I was saying under my breath. I looked to the other end and there she was. This was her home. She felt safe here. I eased slowly about four steps toward here and got my rod ready. This time to have a little more control, I reeled it up all the way and stuck the tip down into the water. I don't know why but for some reason she would not leave even when I bumped her with the rod. She did back way from the tip and then I made my move and hooked the plug. She took off a gain and went to the front of the brush and got tangled up again. I yelled for Dylan to get over here and take my rod. He did and I was able to reach down into the water and get a hold of her and hoist her up.

She was a solid 3 - 3/12 lb fat bass. I don't think I have ever been so lucky in my life. I removed the plug and let her go. I just had to share this with you guy's. I hope you enjoy this story. I thought it was an assume day fishing! Of course had I not got the plug back, it would had just been another day in the life of......me.

[Danoinark]

Great story, and one that you will remember, but you can bet its imprinted in Dylan's mind for years to come and probably one that he will pass down to his grandkids. Its the same feeling when I get to show my 7 year old grandson something new on stream...a satisfaction that we both enjoy.

Dano

[brownieman]

thats a good one,

I've had several fish over the years "give a plug back" so to speak...

had a couple of friends that we shared info amoung ourselves...couple of times we got each others plugs back...pretty cool !

IMO often times if the plugs aren't buried good the fish will rake them off on cover...especially if it's restricting them from being able to feed well.

used to be an on going topic (given each other s**t ) on who has the right to lay claim to the plug, lol.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

A very good story and an even better memory for you and Dylan! Sounds like an excellent day. Thanks for sharing with us. It brings back memories of me and my son's day's on the water. He's now 24 and in the Navy stationed at Japan. Can't wait for him to get back home.

John

[The Caddis]

Great story, and am happy to hear you got your plug back.

I lost a topwater plug that my great granfather gave me many years ago. Although it has been at least 15 years since I lost it, I still remember the agony of not only the fish getting away, but with my plug. The lure of it all is that I can't remember the scratches or dings, but that it was as shiny and smooth as a new one. Unfortunately I haven't been able to locate a suitable replacement, and since I fish fly's almost exclusively now, it would have looked great in a case on the wall.

[Thom]

Great story.

The bow in my pic had no less than 5 flies on it's body. Most were encrusted by a layer of skin. I was able to remove my zebra midge, small olive jig and eggfly that were not imbeded before releasing the fish.

Hope she is still there since I will be at Lilly's at the end of the month to kiss her again if he obliges.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Thanks for the kind words guy's.

Hey Thom - that is incredible! I have always heard that the hook will rust out in a couple of days or so. I have always been skeptical of that though.

Caddis - isn't that just the worst feeling in the world?

Ks. Fly Fisher - got a story you would like to share? I'll post another one in a few days if you guy's are interested. I'll share my version of the Mother's Day Massacre!!

brownieman - I have lost plugs to fish in ponds before and gone back later to hopefully find them washed up on the bank. Never found a one! Dang it! Do you guy's use the "Finders Keepers.." when you get one of your buds plugs?

Dano - That is now my most enjoyable part of life. Teaching my son what my father taught me. I have been teasing him here lately that when need to get our own local fishing show. He came up with a name for it the other day. It was simpe and to the point---Two Hillbillys.

[drew03cmc]

I have never heard of that. I have however caught the fish my buddy just lost and took his beetle spin from the 6# bass' maw. It was a great case of finders keepers.

Great story.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I have never heard of that. I have however caught the fish my buddy just lost and took his beetle spin from the 6# bass' maw. It was a great case of finders keepers.

Great story.

Thanks.

That brings up another question. How often do you think you may catch the same fish twice in the same fishing trip?

I can only claim doing it once that I know of. I was fishing a farm pond in Oklahoma when I was a kid and caught a bass with the tail of a small flathead sticking out his thoat. As I fished my way around the pond I got back to my starting point and caught her again. If it wasn't for the tail sticking out, I would have never know I caught her twice.

[rainbow]

Last year a buddy of mine was catfishing with hotdogs on a private pond. He set his rod on the dock and started throwing another one. Zoom his rod took off and went in the lake. While fishing around the lake later he had a hit and started cranking. When he landed the fish it was still on his other rod and he got them both.