Redemption...

[AL trout bum]

Before I get to that, I tried out a new creek Saturday that is in the middle of town. I am liking it's potential for spring. It hold panfish, bass and catfish.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P2040012copy.jpg

First cast...
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P2040006copy.jpg

Unfortunately there were also lots of these...
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P2040013copy.jpg

There was no lack of fishy looking water either. There was a foamy eddy at the bottom right of this pic that I'm sure held fish, but I couldn't get to it because of the current dragging my line out.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P2040018copy.jpg

I caught one more fish and called it a day. I had a long drive ahead of me, and I needed to hit the road.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P2040011copy.jpg

This next trip was all about redemption. The last time I was there, I caught one of the famed sulphur hatches the river is known for. It was most certainly a sight to see. However, I only caught one dinky fish out of the dozens rising around me.
Replay from a few months back:
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/9.jpg
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/11.jpg

Fast forward to this weekend. I needed to experience this river again. A second chance to put into practice what I learned the last time.

Almost as soon as I got on the road, there was a deluge of rain. I don't know why I was surprised though, that's standard weather when I decide to go on a trip.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/1.jpg

I pressed on and hoped the trip wouldn't be a bust. I arrived late, checked into the hotel and tried to sleep. I say "tried" because the anticipation of what the next day held kept me awake for most of the night. No matter how many fishing trips I have been on, and no matter how small any one trip may be, it feels like the night before Christmas every single time.

I arrived to find the water dingy, but not murky, and just a little high.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/2-1.jpg

First few casts produced a nice spawning rainbow. Not what I was targeting, but a nice fish nonetheless.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/4.jpg

Fishing was slow, I hooked and lost several more nice rainbows. Finally, I felt a familiar tug on the line.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/6-1.jpg
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/7.jpg

[AL trout bum]

It didn't stop there...
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/8-1.jpg

Another rainbow to keep the variety going..
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/9-1.jpg

Then another brown...
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/10.jpg

After quite a few browns and rainbows landed and lost, my stomach told me it was time to eat. All of the browns were caught on this:
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/3-1.jpg

Hit up a local hole in the wall for a hot meal.....
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/Webbsforlunch2copy.jpg

[AL trout bum]

After lunch I headed to another area.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/11-1.jpg

I could tell some other fisherman had already been there..
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/12-1.jpg
Glad they practiced catch and release..

Soon after getting on the water, BAM!
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/13-1.jpg

Further down there were quite a few fish rising to BWOs coming off. I tied on one and picked my target.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/15-1.jpg

The grassy area in the middle right of the below picture had a fish that was rising pretty consistently. I made several drifts before making one final cast. I watch him slam it that time! Cool to fish dries in February on high water. Not an easy thing to do.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/14-1.jpg
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/16-1.jpg

As the day was drawing to a close, I admired the nice scenery and picked up maybe the nicest brown of the trip on a zebra midge.
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/17-1.jpg
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/18.jpg

I love these colors...
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/19-1.jpg

No lunkers were caught, but I bested my previous attempt and caught lots of nice fish. Total fish count was around 30. 2/3 of those were browns, which made me happy. I'll be back for sure!
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/21-1.jpg

Interesting...DSFK
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/22-2.jpg

[David Knapp]

Sweet!!! I've gotta get up to that river sometime soon. Love the colors on those nice big 'bows and browns... Thanks for sharing your trip!

[Knothead]

Where did you catch the trout? Where is the restaurant? Have to eat lunch a bit early now. Did you save the squirrel for tying material?
that's standard weather when I decide to go on a trip.

I had a customer in Shreveport, LA that had a graffiti from the local paper taped to his file cabinet- Compared to me, Murphy was an optimist!

[Corbo]

Thanks for sharing your wicked great adventure with all of us!

What is the fuschia colored fly in the rainbow if you don't mind telling.

Hope you have comprehensive.

[AL trout bum]

Thanks for sharing your wicked great adventure with all of us!

What is the fuschia colored fly in the rainbow if you don't mind telling.

Hope you have comprehensive.


I was hoping no one would ask. :redface: It's a san juan worm. Standard rig worm attractor with nymph or midge trailing.

[Flat Fly n]

The S. Holston is where the trout were caught......nice pics btw.

AL...try out Ridgewood's BBQ sometime if you get the chance...between the S. Holston and Wautauga.

[BlueRaiderFan]

Wrong board for DSFK :biggrin: Nice report.

[AL trout bum]

Wrong board for DSFK :biggrin: Nice report.


I know, I'm trying to build up courage to put a TR on the other one! :redface:

[Corbo]

What is "TR" and what is "DSFK"? Pardon my ignorance please.

I'm going to tie some purple beadheads today!