[VFB] 20 Inch Morning

[DragonsHeart1972]

Listers;
     I left this morning at 0530 to go to Burrles Ford to fish. I was shocked to see not a soul and had the river to my self. I hiked back a ways (app 5 miles) and rigged up. It was a gorgeous morning and I was sure I was going to do well.
     I tied on one of my new furled leaders, 3 ft. of 5x tippet, and a #16 B. H. P. T. 
     First cast and drift, nothing. Second cast and drift, nothing. Third one, more of the same.
     I set my fly rod down, got a drink of my ever present 20 oz Pepsi. I noticed a few bait fish (minners) rush by. Decided to tie on a # 8 Rust Woolly Bugger.
     So.......I tied one on. Sat the rod back down and lit a cigarette, waiting if I could see what was chasing them. I hadn't noticed that my leader and fly was in the water.
     About the time I had taken my third puff, I heard my reel whining, as it started to head for the water! By the time I realized what was happening, 3/4 of my rod was swimming! I dove for the rod, tripped and fell in. Let me tell you, early morning water is COLD !!!!!!!!! There was no need to set the hook, the fish had already done that. All I could see of it was a flash of silver about 6 inches wide and about a foot long.
     We danced for a while, 30 minutes that seemed like 2 hours. He shoed me every rock and hole in that portion of stream I never knew about. Needless to say, by now I was soaked and not about to loose this fish.
     I finally got the rainbow to the net, just to see bright red from his gills. I measured it, 20 inches even! My best so far.
     I tried to revive it, and thought I succeeded. It swam away after being held in the current for a bit.
     I continued to fish my way downstream. Nothing. So I sat down for another cigarette. While watching for any signs of fish I saw something floating in the river. After a double take I realized it was a large fish.
     I quietly waded out and caught it in my net. It was the same one I caught earlier. I guess the stress of the catch and the damage done to the gills was to much.
     I had planned on keeping a few (4) stockies for dinner. So I put him in the creel.
     I walked back up towards the truck, fishing along the way. I managed to catch 3 - 10 inch stockies for dinner. Caught them all on the first fly I tied on, a # 16 B. H. P. T.
     When I got back to the truck I reflected on the time I had spent on the water. I wanted the big bow to live on, but sometimes it just don't work that way. This is a blood sport, but that don't make it easier. Even if he would have broke off, I would have considered my self lucky to hook into one that size.
     I looked at my watch and saw that it was only a little after 1200. I went into town and got a bite to eat.
     Looking back it was a good day on the water all in all.


      Delbert (Del) Roberts
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
                 Belton, SC