Pounded the trout and got a real big surprisei

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Cuz

Decided to go trouting after being in N.C. for three weeks.
First hit the Pohatcong Creek with fair results. Kept two out of eight. Then I headed to the Musky near Bloomsbury. I was surprised to find the water high and very discolored. I almost didn't get out of my truck. But it was a long ride just to turn around. Best choice I ever made. I pounded brown trout one cast after another in the fastest dirtiest water I think I ever fished. I don't know how the trout could see my butterworms. Then my rod doubled over and a fish ran downstream 60'. After fifteen long runs in a strong current and twenty minutes later my imaginary 8 lb. trout turned out to be 4 lb. channel catfish. And on a butterworm.
This was without a doubt the best fight I ever experienced in a stream. Carp and suckers are not even close. How she got through all the dams, spillways etc. from the Delaware River is a mystery. By the way. I fished a few miles without another fisherman in sight. The fish are still there. Go get 'em.

I no longer target channel cats, but get a few every year here in NY state while smallmouth or walleye fishing.. They fight like a gamefish, not a "bottom fish".. Fast and agile, hard hitters, and they don't give up... A cat fights harder and faster than most trout and bass do IMHO... When I used to fish for them at night in the Susquehanna River, I used 8 or 9 foot salt water rods with #20 line.. A 10 pounder simply could not be stopped on a rod that would manhandle a big trout or bass.. they would break you off on a rock or stump every single time... Some people eat them, but they taste like swamp muck to me... I set them free... Nice catch on a little trout rod.... bob