HOWEVER this is really more of a show of the naïveté of stocked trout than it is a show of the conditions. These fish are used to responding to some a noise on the surface and than eating things quickly in order to beat their tank mates to the meal. So really a mouse or popper is a good way to get these buggers to feed and frankly, I don't care if they are tank scrubbers it is just so fun to see a trout go zero to sixty and trash a big floating mouse or waker. So after I got one on a bugger today that is all I wanted to do, throw big foam bugs.
The first few topwater eats I got were on the black and chartreuse foam Waller Waker. After I was satisfied with that I stuck on a yellow and tan Master Splinter with a sticker hook to try to get at least one on a mouse, just because it would be pretty freaking sweet to get a mouse trout in winter. As it turned out I got four of them. The last one followed the fly 40 feet, boiling behind it the whole way. It was incredible. I was smilin' like a butchers dog (You get it if you are a Pens fan).
It is going to be frigid tomorrow. My plan is to get my bike all tricked out and ready for the season then finish off the last of a 32 dozen fly shipment to send out on Monday.
Beautiful fish! I am amazed that they hit like bass on top water mouse offerings this time of year. Another lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteWell Done.
Sam
Like I said, the are stocked trout. Ugly, naive, and used to hitting food on the surface. Not at all a surprise if you don't take conventional wisdom at face value. I was out fishing everyone who was using subsurface dead drift presentations on this day.
DeleteI have got to try that - looks like to much fun!
ReplyDeleteWatch the stocking reports and the week after any given river gets stocked the fish will be all over mice or poppers.
DeleteBig buggers, big fish. They sure wanted a big meal today, even in the cold water. NICE!!!
ReplyDeleteTie, fish, write and photo on...
It wasn't the size that mattered at all, it was surface disturbance and flotation.
DeleteIt is that time of year again and start to a new season! Looks like the river has a nice flow. Some nice looking bows too!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good amount of water but rather low compared to many years.
DeleteAwesome! If I wasent sick I'd be out there mousin' this weekend! Where'd you find the yellow master splinters!? Sorry if this posted several times my Internet is going in and out
ReplyDeleteI tied them. I haven't bought flies in years.
DeleteI get much enjoyment and enlightenment from your blog, Rowan, and wanted to tell you this one is especially fine. The word picture is finely etched today! Thanks for the journey.
ReplyDelete- G.