Chrome: on the off chance

[ChaseChrome]

Chrome On The Off Chance​

So here it is guys + gals...representing some of the members here who, having priorities and obligations that supersede angling at will, we are, as a matter of necessity, opportunists. It makes those moments on the water sublime, the catch-a gift, the safe handling-urgent, and the release-a giving back, so that whoever should venture here against all the vicissitudes that conspire to keep us away from our communion, may also find momentary respite from the everyday.

So my wife, a biomedical and clinical ethicist, was scheduled for a consultation to provide some philosophical guidance for an end of life issue. As she doesn't drive I am "James" and see to it that people get where they need to be. Now I am not so chastened, or coy, that such an opportunity to make for water doesn't enter the picture. This morning is punctuated then by a quick scan of G-Maps to determine access points to fishable water...

The meeting should take a little more than an hour or so...hmmmmm...just enough time to cast a pool, one heretofore unknown to me. Gear is in the car, save for a rod, so I grab my 6 wt already rigged, though with line that is so old and has seen innumerable battles with mykiss and salar, that it casts in coils by now...wtf, need the dope.

So I make the drop and skirt the trib following all side roads looking for access...tough on this system. I find a small area behind a roadside barrier...park the car, don my vest, and head down the ravine to water that is looking beautifully colored, though low.

Ten minutes of casting and realize the estaz that was already tied on is contraindicated for the conditions...switch to a more neutral pattern. I drift what seems to be a really prime holding pool...quickly move downstream to recon some other water...too low...have to make the best use of what little time I have...back to the first pool. It’s relatively small but given the clear conditions, the hydraulic push of a large boulder, and the variagated bottom, I am positive it should yield something even though the reports coming from this area have said otherwise. I drift the bubble line over a dark area on the bottom and comes around the rock...indicator goes down in a flash...lift the rod tip and I see the immediate silver flash and feel the heavy strain on my rod of what is a beautiful fresh run fish. Two short runs but heavy and slow head shakes...

I had left the camera at home so I pull out my cell phone with the lint covered lens and snap while i fight the fish...terrible pictures but hey...guide the fish gently into shallow water...turn her uside down to calm her, dislodge the fly and send the healthy 6lb hen on her way. We take those opportunities when we can and sometimes they pay off with a gift on a quiet stretch of water, on an under-fished system, from a pool which we had never before fished.

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Thanks for reading​

cc​

 

[chris f]

nice cc looks like you had a sweet little spot , and was able to entice one to take your offering.thanks for posting and sharing

 

[Brian]

Nice chrome CC...
if only you had more time...

 

[Rain-Bow]

Yup, that's a nice story

 

[Madriverfisher]

sweet man

 

[Spinninreel]

I can relate to you story, find a few hours and get in a little fishing because life is so busy.

 

[getin]

I never thought there is a spot you have not tried. Gives me hope that there is a lot more to explore (what I love most in fishing)....Congratulations. I totally can relate to this experince as I have had it . 45 minute after work on the way home and a fish at the end of line. Most exciting

Thanks for sharing

 

[rocheleauc]

Very nice C. Beauty Chrome .

 

[FishingNoob]

Well done! On both the story and the fish.

 

[RonnieTO]

I enjoyed your narration & the photo's very much CC...

But I have to ask did you have a Chauffeurs uniform under your fishing vest?

Now that would have made a wonderful photo, especially if you had the brimmed hat that Chauffeurs wear *LOL*

 

[salmotrutta]

Great post!

 

[ALN]

I miss fishing lol

 

[odoyle]

I miss fishing lol

I feel ya man ....

Soon tho


On another Note ... nice fish Cc


Always love to read your narrated story telling abilities

Scholastics would love you lol

 

[float^drifter]

nice piece of chrome. :smile:

 

[TRINIBOY]

Way to go CC beautiful specimen, best way to kill some time…lol

Bet you can’t wait to play the role of James again…lmao :twisted:

 

[Jammers]

Nice catch !

 

[Knuguy]

I've given my wife lots of rides but never once caught any fish on those outings! What am I doing wrong??? :razz:

 

[AKnook]

Great read and beautiful fish. I love how some of the low key, unplanned trips sometimes turn into a great outing. My avatar pic is that fish and day for me.

It was an October late afternoon that my wife and I decided to go for a drive with my then two year old boys. It was an hour drive to the river but the evening was beautiful and we had nothing else planned. Of course I bring my fly rod and flies just in case. We just wanted to hike with the boys along the river and I would cast a bit to see what was going on. The river was very low at this point and my usual spots I fish during the spring were too low. I have never fished this river this time of year and the river was unrecognizeable. It was like fishing a new river. Exciting to say the least.

My boys poke the occasional spawned out dead salmon with sticks, throw rocks into the shallows as my wife watches them while sitting on a massive log by the river. One of my sons holds my bead box and every now and then asks if I need some beads. makes me smile every time I recall this story. At two years old they knew more about fish and fishing than colors and numbers. LOL

I tie on the old trusty ESL. Nothing fancy, but a go to fly that catches fish. I walk down river to find some pools and at the corner of my eye catch a glimps of a fish moving upstream into a clear pool of about 5 feet deep. I spooked something! I thought it was a spawned out small chum salmon as it was yellowish. I walk up stream of the pool to see if I see this fish once more. Seeing nothing I make my way slowly down river looking into the depths of this large deep clear pool. I don't bother casting as I can see all the way to the bottom and don't see any fish. As I reached a bend I notice movement again. I have a clear view of this fish and it's a nice sized rainbow. I'm fishing waters that have these rainbows with yellow hues to them but this one was intense! My heart raced as I prepare to cast to this beautifully colored fish.....

I cast about four feet in front of the fish and let the ESL dead drift toward it. The fish immediately comes up and nips at it then turns away and sinks down back where it was. The dead drift was off, I needed to strip this fly a little aggressively to get a hard strike. Again, I cast four to five feet in front of the fish and let it drift a few seconds and then begin striping fast. That's what he wanted, the fish bolts forward and swims up toward the fly and smashes it hard. I set the hook as it hits and the fight is on! This all occurred in clear water right in front of me. I seen the fish suspended and attack the fly so aggressively.

I fight the fish and bring into the shallows as my kids watch in excitment. My wife snaps a few pictures and the beauty is released. At that I didn't even bother wetting another line the rest of the day. It couldn't get any better than that. We hiked and played around with the boys a few more hours before driving back home. Content is how I felt. Happy to have caught a magnificent fish while see it all unravel, and having my wife and kids there to share it. This wasn't the biggest fish but it is one that I think about often. The photo hangs in my office at work and on some busy or crazy days I find myself looking at it and thinking about that day.

Sorry for highjacking your thread. Reading your report made me think of my similar day. This is why I enjoy reading reports and posts from fellow anglers. It not only takes you to their moment, but takes you back to many of your own.

 

[Spinninreel]

Aknook, great story! Thanks.

 

[ChaseChrome]

Great read and beautiful fish. I love how some of the low key, unplanned trips sometimes turn into a great outing. My avatar pic is that fish and day for me.


Sorry for highjacking your thread. Reading your report made me think of my similar day. This is why I enjoy reading reports and posts from fellow anglers. It not only takes you to their moment, but takes you back to many of your own.

Always great to get other great stories and contributions bro!!No highjacking...just supplementation....always good

cc