Well my season has started off pretty slow with 9 trips and 0 hookups so far, but I had a good feeling about today because last year it took me 10 trips before I was into my first fish.
After 9 fishless trips on the lower river I decided to concentrate my efforts on the upper part for the first time this year. First spot I stopped had no cars so I shuffled down to the river and took a few casts, moments later three others appeared from the bushes, wanting to fish with some solitude today I left the run got back in the truck. Next spot, no cars, water looked great and similar to the last run after a couple casts another group of anglers appeared, not discouraged I got in the truck and headed to my third spot. This spot I had never fished before and after a bit of bushwacking I poked my head through the trees and noticed a prime piece of water just down stream. After a slow walk over the ice covered rocks I arrived and a VERY fishy looking piece of gin clear water.
Sitting well back from the edge I baited my rod and started tossing casts to the head of the run, on the fourth cast I looked down river at a bird for a moment only to look back to see that my float had vanished. After a quick jerk of the rod something silver flashed in the top of the pool and the fight was on, as it tired and got close to the bank I notice its a hatchery so I step into the river and try and land it between two boulders, well I grab the tail and its flips and flops and is back into the river heading for the other side. At this point I curse myself at the feeble landing attempt and more a less write the fish off, well I manage to calm it down, the hook stays in and on the second landing attempt I put the death grip on its tail and pull the 12lb hatchery beauty onto the bank
Just as I am filling out my license two other anglers start walking in, I wish them luck and head on my way very happy to finally get into some action.
It was sunny and very cold out there today, but the water is in great shape.
Author
Topic: Chilliwack River January 25, 2008 (Read 2887 times)