Here are a few from Saturday's outing…
Stopped at a bridge crossing to see what the unclassified water looked like way downstream on my first targeted water. Looked like trout water to me, so stayed a while and got a few including this first one, right under the bridge…
Took it as a great sign that I got some around 9am on this 30 degree April morning.
Also foul hooked a 16-17 inch Driftless trophy sucker in the deep pool right beyond the bridge, but he fell off when I lifted him. That one stung.
Lost a lure in this tangle (it's worse to the left out of frame) before getting this little brookie.
Not sure it was worth the lure, but you never know what could be in a spot like this. Was surprised to get a brookie as I was far downstream (several miles) from where I'd expect to see brookies on this particular water. As always though… what do I know?
Being Masters weekend, went upstream to the golf course stretch of this stream and got a bunch of fish that would dart out from their side-stream undercuts.
Got this one on the par 4 16th…
Not my favorite kind of water, but having a full and diverse day planned, including a fair amount of tough terrain, enjoyed the respite of this stretch and the easy pasture walk.
Went over the ridge to a different stream to go after large browns, hiked in a good half mile or more and this was the first fish I got…
and it was in the first nice looking spot…
Thought… Awww yeah, here we go!
Not so fast…
Loved the halos on this one though which always remind me of the RAF markings on a WWII Spitfire.
The next 7 or 8 fish in this stretch were the same size…
and the water was low and clear and there were no signs of any other decent fish – even in the deeper and darker holes and cuts, so left and headed downstream a few miles looking for deeper water.
Got this fish up from a bridge in a corner hole that's behind me and over my left shoulder. Took the photo in the shade of the bridge.
Got 13 more solid browns including a couple 17s and a few 16s before this final fish of the day, which was my favorite…
Sun blasted photo doesn't do the flame markings justice and I held him high to get the complement of the blue sky. Was a striking fish and was very excited for it. Great one to end the day on.
Oh yeah… and found another face…
