Big Rainbows and Wild Browns (Sat 10/21/17)

[JDTuna]

I had a couple hours to fish on Saturday morning, and despite the low water I had the itch to chase some trout.

I hit one of my favoite stretches, and I wasn't disappointed. Despite the less than optimal water levels, the wild browns were hungry and aggressive. Some were even chasing my lure in inches of water up to my feet. I had a bunch of strikes and released 4 beautiful wild browns. And I still had one spot left on this stretch that has produced a lot of nice fish.









The sun was already bright as I approached the spot. I made sure to move slowly and quietly to prevent spooking anything in the gin clear water. I didn't see anything for the first half of the spot.

My lure was about 6 feet in front of me, when all of a sudden a big, thick rainbow came out of nowhere and inhaled the lure right at my feet. The fish sat still for a split second before realizing she was hooked. Then, she tore upstream, heading towards a log. I successfully kept the trout out of the log, and it doubled back and shot downstream, drag singing, toward a large branch in the water. I ran after the fish like a person chasing their dog, hoping the fish would keep swimming past the large branch. No such luck, and the rainbow buried itself deep in the snag.

I only use 4lb test, and I knew I was in trouble but I wasn't going to lose this fish! I tucked my rod under my arm, and reached both arms under water and lifted the branch out. Luckily, in the current conditions the water was only 2ft deep. I systematically began unwrapping the line from the individual branches. I could feel the fish pulsing on the line, so I knew it was still on. I worked my way to the end of the branch. I lifted the end of the branch, and I saw her wallowing in the water, still wrapped in the end of the branch. With a quick scoop of the net, the fight was over. I was soaking wet, but I couldnt care less.

This fish was a tank, 22 to 23" and close to that in girth. A very heavy trout that clearly thought it was part tuna. After a few quick pics, she was released.



Hit one more spot quickly and caught and released another nice bow around 18" before I called it a day.

[Jigman13]

Niiiiice. Thick friggin bowski broski. Chunker!

[Fred E. Goose]

That big bow is a sure line-snapper! Glad it didn't end that way for you. Nice Fish!

[thmyorke1]

Splendid fish! Good photography too.

[Chrisper4694]

if only that fish knew how easily it could've broken your #4 line off once it was in those branches!

[kcritch]

Beautiful group o fish there JD. Nicely Done on the branch landing too.

[Mikey topaz]

Awesome colors on them fish tunamannnnnnnn!!!! Your the man

[FASTEDDIE29]

You went Troutin' without me again!?!? I thought we were buddies, LOL!!! Great looking fall Trouser Trouts Mr. Tuna! Great colors on those wilds and that Rainbow is absolutely huge! Awesome catching while others wonder where the Trout are, Hahahahahaha!!!

[Hookmanski]

Beautiful catches dude! Nice work!

[BT67]

purty trouts!