[Backcountry FF]

Okay, this was before I knew the virtues of flyfishing...

I was on Citico Creek dunking corn for trout when I was a kid. I felt a strong tug on my line and just knew I had the grand daddy stocker rainbow on the line. I fought for about ten minutes before my dad came by to see what was going on. He was convinced I was just hung up on a rock ledge or submerged log. He took the rod from me and was surprised to feel a "headshake".

Dad handed me the rod and encouraged me to play this monster, as he was also sure of a huge trout on the end of the line. When we finally landed the trophy, it turned out to be a hellbender that measured almost 22". For those that don't know, a hellbender (and I hope I'm spelling it correctly) is a big ugly salamander. This thing weighed around 5 pounds! It had fairly sharp teeth ridges and I'm surprised the mono held out for the duration of the fight.

I let him go back to do whatever he does besides get young trout fishermen's hopes up. He still may be up there somewhere around Jake Best Campground, wet waders beware!