Weather: Sunny - 61F, Windy
Water: Clear, 45F
Hatches: None Observed
Time: 11:00-2:30
Comments: Today, I was out for the first time this season on the Plover to test my luck before opening day next weekend. It was the best trout fishing that I've ever had. I had the entire stream to myself and the weather was beautiful, although a little windy. I tested out a couple spinners/spoons with barbless hooks (not a fly fisherman yet, but plan to learn really soon)and had luck with all of them. The first two casts I caught an 8 inch and a 12 inch brown. Ten minutes later, I landed my largest brown trout ever - a trophy 24 1/4!!" - (I named him Walter). It took me 15 minutes to bring him in; he took me around a log about 10 yards from where I was standing in the water; I thought I was going to lose him with the barbless hook, but I somehow managed to reel him in. I stood there in awe as I measured him. I parted with my trophy within 15 seconds of my landing him. He took off strong and healthy.
I caught and released at least 10 other trout, all browns and rainbows in the 8-12" range. I couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Rest assured, I won't soon forget this day. If the fishing stays this good, we've got a lot to look forward to. You can bet I'll be back out again next weekend to try and catch Walter!
Tom Krieg tkrieg@dwave.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------