Bucket Mouth

Today I went out expecting to maybe get a few shots at some carp, and that did happen. I had one take as well, in fact. But I didn't catch any. And that's OK. I'll tell you why in a moment. But first, here are some pictures from before and after the amazing event unfolded:

My first rock bass out of this pond

Alright, now for the amazing stuff. I was casting to a bubbling carp, which did not take. When I stripped the line in to avoid spooking the fish on the pickup I suddenly went tight. The rod buckled over and I looked out to see a big momma bass breach the surface. And I'm talkin BIG. This one had to come to hand, and after the best fight I have ever had with a largemouth bass I stuck my thumb into the mouth of my biggest bass ever. And that includes my five years of spin fishing before I learned to cast the fly rod. A size 8 beadhead Ausable Ugly seemed tiny on this hawg's upper lip. What a fish. I'm now several leaps closer to my 10lb goal this year! It was truly a privileged to get the chance to hook, land, and spend a short time with this fish. I'll see you again next year fish, when you have gained another couple pounds.