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Date: August 29, 2004 at 20:22:58
From: mags, [207.190.222.25]
Subject: Re: The Minimalist Trout Fisherman


Agreed. Today I caught one of the most satisfying fish I have ever caught at a small trout pond near my house. I made a tactical plan and it worked to perfection. When I landed and released her, I set down my rod and raised my hands as if I had just won an olympic medal. If anyone had seen the display of joy they would have thought I was a wierdo. Must have kept my hands in the air for a solid minute. It was truly among the sporting highlights of my life.

There is a small drainage "stream" that comes into the spring fed 2 acre pond. The "stream" is no more than 8 feet wide by 2 feet deep (when it has water) with an undercut bank.

The stream is crossed by a small and aging wooden footbridge. The bigger fish in the pond love to hang out under the banks in the shade. I spook them everytime I cross the bridge and shrug my shoulders as they dart for the safety of the pond's deep reaches. Even when I try to be extra quiet, I still spook the frogs who in turn spook the fish. Not today. I crept along the path and up onto the bridge. Quiet. Quiet. Quiet. I can't remember if I was breathing or not.

When I reached the middle of the bridge I squatted slowly and peered upstream. My eyes saw nothing that lead be to believe there were any fish there, but my heart new better. I decided to carefully dopple a Montana nymph onto the lighter bottomed gravelly portion of the stream. Then, as if in slow motion a stunningly beautiful 17" rainbow trout carelessly emerged from the shadowy bank and thoughtlessly sipped in my offering.

Big mistake by her. She shook violently and made several agressive runs, but despite 6x tippet, my supple new 2 wt proved up to the task. I finally landed her by laying face down on the bridge, holding the leader and tweezering the barbless hook from her upper lip.

Fish of a lifetime.


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