Big Streamer, Big Rainbow

I had a brief window in which I could fish this evening, but after burying my cat I needed it again. I could have went to one of my many close spots, but the Salmon was calling my name. It is one of the most beautiful rivers in these parts, and never more than it is on a foggy fall evening.

I got to the river and happened upon a couple of bait dunkers sitting on a retaining wall. I wanted to make sure they were releasing the fish, and not by throwing them 15 feet down. They said no. Five minutes later while I was standing there, one chucked a rainbow off the embankment. That made me exceptionally peeved, so I left.

The next spot was shared only with a young gentleman who said this is his first year fly fishing. I felt bad after I landed a few when he didn't, normally I would have given him a fly but all I had were big ones that his light gear would not have been able to handle.

The second fish I caught was a nice one, a chunky female that jumped and tail walked a number of times.

At the end of a shallow flat a few of the bigger fish were rolling and leaping. I put a number of casts through. I had one brief hookup, a few chases, then nothing.... until I saw the swirl and felt the pull. The strip set burned into my finger. The pulses of strong head shakes told me this was a big fish. The fact that it took line on the eight weight and fought like a demon made it's size even more clear. After a good battle I was holding a bulky 17 inch buck, big kype and spawning colors and all.

It turns out the Heifer Groomer is kick ass trout streamer! I can't wait to try it on big browns in the Farmington and Housitonic.