I eventually worked my way over to the Bell Pond again. I wasn't expecting to do as well as I did yesterday. After all, the conditions were markedly different. But I am always willing to put in the time and sooner or later something good may happen. The perch were active again, but mostly they were small ones. I caught who knows how many.
After cutting off the smaller Woolly Bugger style streamer I committed to the Double Deceiver and fished it from one side of the dam to the other. As I reached the far side I fan cast, covering as much water as possible. The, finally, I got a take. It wasn't a particularly strong take, and from the first twenty seconds of the fight I didn't think it was a big fish. It came right towards me, rather slowly, And came up as I eased it in. Then it made a smooth arcing L shape in front of me and just went parallel to the shore away from me to the left and there wasn't a thing I could do to stop it. After a bit of work it did a slow, thrashing jump and I saw it or the first time. It was a very big chain pickerel. As anyone who fishes for these things knows, they fight like trucks. It took a long time for me to land it. But when I did, I was impressed! It taped out at 26 inches, making it my biggest ever of the species. Unfortunately my camera batteries died part way through the photo shoot so I didn't get all the pictures I wanted, but plenty enough to see what a great fish it is! He went back violently, giving me a good shower.
I always manage to catch some nice fish before the year closes out, but this year is special in that category!
In my area pickerel get the same treatment as carp. Glad to see someone that respects them. I've only caught a few but I think they're cool also.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame, they are fantastic game fish!
DeleteAnother beauty.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
DeleteThey are really cool looking fish.
A real beauty and the year isn't over yet. A Merry Christmas to you Rowan from both of us.
ReplyDeleteTie, fish, write and photo on...
Oh I know it. I will eek all that I can out of these last days.
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