ollie Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 How do you convince someone that you have a caught a nice size fish? This just happened to me yesterday at Hickory. Here's the deal, I have the day off and want to go on down to RR, but can't. When I get home Thursday night I find out the top of the engine block looks like it is leaking anti-freeze. Friday morning I fill up the radiator with more water/anti-freeze, take the kids to school and go to the mechanics shop to look for answers. Find out the intake has to be taken off and a cheap gasket has to be replaced. Bottom line is more money than I need to spend plus I have never done this before. Brakes, plugs, simple things ok, but this looks a little out of my league. I am leaking anti-freeze like a sieve. Can't drive too far like this and he can't get me in until Monday. That is why I settled for Hickory. I just normally don't fish it because there is better around that isn't too far away IMO. I was really bummed out to find out that news out on my DAY OFF! Ok, so I make the best of it and go in search of some trout at Hickory since it is literally 1/2 mile from the house at the most. That way I can drive home in the cold and not have to worry about the leak. I get there about noon and it was pretty cold I thought. I was somewhat warm, but it was still cold! I caught five stocker size fish with the biggest of them at 14". The believe it not comes next in a fast moving hole I caught fish number five, then I made a couple or three more casts looking for more fish and BAM! My rod bent and the line took off. The fight must have lasted at lesast 5-10 minutes. When I finally can grab hold of the tale I realize this fish is a true trophy fish. Big 'ol hooked mouth male rainbow that measured to the tape at 22". Here I stand in the middle of the stream with no net, no camera, and nobody standing remotely close to witness this catch. I personally would have a hard time believing anyone if they told me this story. Of course I released the fish unharmed back into the waters, so maybe someone else will catch him also and back me up on this one. When I got home I felt really wierd though. I had had a terrible morning and was getting really upset then something like this happens when you least suspect it. I just can't figure it out I guess. BTW, caught the fish on an olive jig I tie with hackle and he had a clean hook in the roof of his mouth. I honestly believe it was a trout from the pond in Big Spring park. Probably got that far downstream when we had a lot of rain. This fish was FAT and beautiful, didn't look to wild to me. So another question I've been asking myself is if I should be proud that is the biggest trout I have ever caught even though I think it has been hand raised? Sorry for the long post, just never thought I would catch a fish that big out of Hickory. "you can always beat the keeper, but you can never beat the post" There are only three things in life that are certain : death, taxes, and the wind blowing at Capps Creek! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawncat Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Nice....real nice, Ollie.I know how you feel.You know you caught it ,that's all that matters.Big ole hook jaw when the car's acting up.....real nice.Way to get your evens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Hey, I believe it Ollie. I'd love to hook into one like that. It's too bad you didn't have a camera with you I'd love to see that fish. I don't leave home without mine anymore especially with C&R fishing. I've gotten some really good pic's of some nice fish I've caught throughout this season. I'm going down to Crane Creek in the morning. I hope to catch some wild McClouds and get some pic's. If fishing was easy it would be called catching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danoinark Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Ollie you don't have to convince anyone. You caught it, you know it and it will be in your memory bank for all time. I believe your story and revel in your catch vicariously. There will be more just like it. Plus like it was said you needed some good news vs the car problem. Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members asgoodson Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 I am a believer!!! Where is Hickory? With a story like that I have got to find that water. I live in Rogers, is it close? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfshn Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 No camera....who cares.....farm raised....who cares, it was in a stream!! I would love to catch one that big!! Congrats! Fish On! Mike Utt “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift from God, that’s why its called the Present!” "If we ever forget that we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD, then we will be a nation gone under" - Ronald Reagan Member: www.ozarkflyfishers.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Ollie.. That sounds like a very SWEET outting. As for as believing you... well hummm... Ok. After living over there for 4 years, Ive seen those fish in Big Springs. I was living there when the guy caught the big golden rainbow. Ive seen some big trout in there.. 18-20in'ers.. I saw a fish one day (just its shadow) I swore it was a trout.. pushing 25" .. Ive been wanting to get over therre and fish again.. I think Hickory is a AWESOME little creek. Hope to see you soon.. Keep those reports coming!! Leonard http://www.taneycomonights.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ham Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 :goodjob I believe you. Not to nit pick too much, but I would not have named the creek. Told my friends in person yes, internet no. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Nice fish Ollie.. No worries Ham, Hickory creek is no secret spot. The conservation even publishes a map;>)! http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/sport/trout/areas.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drew03cmc Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hickory is well known to all poachers in the Joplin area! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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