After yesterday success I was eager once again to to get out on the river and made it to the river just as dawn was breaking. Always a good part of the day as the daylight creatures of the reparian zone of the river start to come to life in their constant search of food to feed themselves.
I head to the location of my second wild fish from yesterday as I seem to hit a fish there almost every trip. Today was no exception as I was into about 30 minutes of fishing time, with a bug hanging below the Drennan in about 4 feet of water it disappears. The only trouble was I was gawking around
again and only saw the float as it was coming up, so I did not get to strike.
As I reel the ghost shrimp in it is munched up pretty good and the fish most likely had it part way in its mouth before expelling it. As hard as I tried it would not return to give me a second opportunity.
I then move up river to were I got my hatchery last week and an angler is just landing a hatchery buck of around 7 pounds. A couple of other anglers that were looking on and told me a couple of other fish had been taken earlier across river. I find nothing fish wise but do find a very nice cork float that was resting against some willow branches hanging in the water.
Wish it was a Drennan.
My time is running short as a 11:30 lunch meeting with Buckeye at Cookies has been arranged this morning. After lunch we go to the sign company to go over the planning of the Chilliwack/Vedder River Cleanup Coalition sign for the Sportsman show. Buckeye graciously has volunteered to make the frame for it.
Before we part I show him my Drennan float with the new Toronto Maple Leaf emblem attached. "A bit faded but I guess because it has been going down a lot lately" Buckeye quips. It looks so good I think I should get a patent on them but there most likely would not be much of a market as only Terry and 2:40 Gordie would be interested in shares but hey it catches fish.
With this chore complete I was planning to head back to the river but decide to go home for a nap as this fishing nearly everyday and the landing of steelhead is tiring as is retirement.
With the nap completed I decide to check out some uncharted waters. I begin fishing about 4:30 and it is perfect bug water. As darkness begins to close in I always feel it is as nice as the beginning of a day, everything seems so peaceful, the day creatures are heading for their night of rest to await the arrivial of another day and their struggle for survival. The animals and the birds of the night have yet to make their appearance, it as I said earlier is so peaceful and serene.
As I watch my Drennan with its red capped top bopping and weaving in the current I really do not expect it to go anywhere but downstream, I am just enjoying the environment I am in.
As I am so intent for once on the action of the float I see the whole thing as the float's journey downstream is interrupted as it plummets below the surface!
I strike, the quietness of the moment is now interrupted and the water's rippley surface explodes as a Steelhead cartwheels in front of me, not once but 3 times. Of the 21 fish I have now actually hooked this is the first to clear the water, great action.
Surprised as I was to hit a fish so late in the day I just settle in to enjoy the fish as it is in one of the snag free, no bush to tangle in, no rapids and all the other things that hinder the successful landing of a fish that I have encountered so far this year.
The fish heads downstream and then sulkes a bit, I apply a bit of pressure to ease him out of where it is just sitting.
About 4 to 5 minutes into playing the fish that I estimated to be in the 10 pound range it starts to come towards me.
I am applying very little pressure when the line goes slack
, I feel no weight as the lonely Drennan comes freely to me. The line has parted just below the toothpick on the float. A bit dejected as I did not like to lose which seemed a well hooked fish and on the other hand I do not like leaving a hook in a fish but they do have a way of ridding a hook from their mouth, I hope so.
Why the line broke who knows but I should have retied after yesterday's playing and landing of the two steelhead. Another lesson learned and the good part was I did not lose my precious Drennan and the TML emblem which I better change tonight as it is getting well worn the last few days going downtown in Hog Town.
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Topic: The Losses Again Gain Momentum On The Vedder (Read 2775 times)