As always a very pleasant welcome and a good Wednesday evening to all to The Journal on FWR, your top internet site for fishing information and stories.
How the weeks fly by in the world of an angler who is fortunate to be able to get out on the water as much as I, almost as much as "The Master".
I got an earlier start out to the river on Monday as with the start of the freshet it gave me renewed hope of maybe landing my 28 (or 29th if you count the one I caught twice
) the steelhead of the 2005-2007 season. I also must remember what Rod reminded on my last post that just getting out there is a enough of a reward in itself.
While getting ready for the outing and checking my equipment I noticed my camera was soaking wet. For the first time in a long time I had forgot to put it in a plastic bag on a outing on Sunday. While chasing one of my treasured Maple Leaf Brennan down river for half a mile
after breaking it off I waded over the bottom of my fishing vest's pockets that had filled with water. Sure enough it would not work when I turned it on, so hoping if I dried it all out slowly it would come to life later. No worries without a camera as most likely would not need it anyway.
I hit the lower canal area to start where even with the jump in the water it had not pushed the fish up river it seemed. KWB of course had it regulars that I could see outlined on both sides of the river as the darkness of the night was surrendering to the breaking daylight. Not a place I frequent unless I change the garbage bags I have placed there which by the way are being well used. I find it hard to fish in an area where a lot of the floats are being fished on their sides and not in a upright position.
I see a couple of anglers including Gwyn in the run I am going to fish, but plenty of room so I slip into position, fishing some roe left over from the weekend AAF fishing event. A fellow had brought some down to use at the fish pond near the end of the day. It had caught some small rainbows so why would it not work on some larger ones.
A little was left at the end of the day so I did not want it to go to waste
so I decided to give it a good home.
Right away a couple of fish roll and my float goes down a few times but no positive action on the result of setting the hook. I start to wonder if i am just missing a snag or two that the canal is famous or infamous for. A little while back Peter had also come down to fish the same area and while fishing beside Gwyn he is into one and he ends up landing a nice wild fish.
Anyway I finally connect with one of those ugly snags and break off. As I have not had my Timms double double I head off to accomplish that and read the papers.
After a 30 minute rest I head back into the direction of the river but have to stop and look for a float or two and find one nice one, the day is a success.
Finally I am back at the run and find Jamier fishing the run, I believe that is the name he goes on this site as. I first met him and his brother earlier in the year at the torpedo run area when we had good fishing there. That day his brother landed his first steelhead ever, a beauty of a fish, a 16 pound hatchery doe, we posted the picture that day on The Journal. As i slip in below him he says he has landed a wild fish on a rubber worm. We visit as we fish, always a enjoyable time with someone who shares the same values as you about the sport of fishing, He tells me they just had twins a couple of weeks ago so I am sure more fishers on the way. all the more reason to work to make sure there is more fish for them when they take up the rod and reel in the future.
I once again miss something a few times and then find another snag and break off again. With such a lovely Spring day and with a little time before I leave for badminton I tie up. I go the early route and dig out one of the leader holders I found the other day. As it has about a four foot leader I snip off 3 quarters of it. The barb has not been pinched, I search in all my pockets but no pliers so I have to borrow Jamier's. Not long after attaching the salvaged terminal gear while looking away at something I feel a slight tug and the Maple Leaf drennan is also gone. The hook set, even a little late is successful and the tussle is on with a good fish. My partner comes down to help with the landing if needed and takes in the sights as i try to keep the steelhead away from a protruding snag below us.
I am successful and as the good sized fish finally surrenders itself to this angler I think for a minute there is no adipose attached but yes it is there, no matter. I tell Jamier I can handle the release and get back fishing as maybe the bite is coming on. Besides I have no camera for the first time this year so am denied a "hero shot"
of my largest of the year I believe at least 15 pounds. A nice buck, early into its spawning colours.
With the fish safely back into the run I resume fishing and go up to visit stslayer who has arrived at the "hot spot" we visit and fish for a few minutes until I connect again, with another snag. I tell Jamier, still below to get ready to rescue my ML drennan in case it goes off too. Sure enough it does and sorrowfully it heads downstream. Jamier like a good sport is in pursuit and goes almost to the top of his waders to bring it safely back from its watery grave and i am sure he soaked up some cool Vedder River water in the process. I than him for his effort and decide to head for badminton, a afternoon and evening session that wraps up day one of The Journal, need to give some early to bed readers something to dream about tonight. Back in a short time.
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Topic: The Largest Of The Year, Hunting For Bobbers, A Three Day Journal, April 12 (Read 3700 times)