Early Spring on a Spring Creek

[WestCentralFisher]

Took advantage of the recent rain and stained water conditions to catch a couple (and I do mean exactly that) wild rainbows. The stream I wanted to fish was a bit too high for my liking, but this one was at a perfect level for tossing little Panther Martins. Or it seemed so. I caught two and lost a couple (including a pretty good one) almost immediately, then the bite shut off like someone had turned off the faucet. Can't complain.  Beautiful day in a beautiful place when the world is starting to green up. 

If you say the pictured fish is bait-fish size, you may be on to something. As I was reeling it in, a much larger trout, pretty close to the high end for this creek, you have to think, followed it a ways in. I don't know if it really would have eaten it if I hadn't concluded the fight quickly to avoid that, but it did seem to be at least be slightly considering the possibility.

On that note, the picture is poor and doesn't do the colors any justice at all. The fish was not cooperating and I hate keeping them out of the water more than just a couple seconds, so that rushed attempt is what you get.