Yesterday, I posted a story of a big fish that escaped. I got lots of responses, and heard some great stories of fish that almost got away... but didn't. Whenever I here all of these stories, it brings back one story of my own that is like that. Visualize a day on Boulder Creek, the first day where there was no ice around. The fishing was okay, but not wonderful. You know, typical early season. I had caught three fish, all around 9 inches. I had just gone to the very bottom of a deep, slow pool and a waterfall below me. All my fish had been on an "Alien Shit," so that's what I had on. I put in my first cast, and let it drift. Nothing. Ten more casts, nothing. But I knew there were fish here, there had to be. So I changed flies, hoping to find the big fish of the pool. A size 8 brown Wooly Bugger was my fly of choice. I put my first cast in, with no success. Same with the second cast. But once again, the third time was the charm. I set back on the fish, and geared up for a fight, knowing this was a good fish. For everyone who's wondering what kind of freaking fish puts up a fight at BC, I fish it with a 000 weight rod. That makes the game more of a challenge. So I hooked into my fish, and was ready. But not for what actually happened. As soon as I hooked the fish, it jumped down the waterfall. I'm sure the fish would've broken off if I hadn't done it. Maybe I'm crazy for doing it. Maybe I really needed the fish for my confidence boost. Whatever it was, I was jumping down the waterfall after my fish. I hit the bottom, and after going under for a second or two, I popped up. I jumped up onto the bank, and brought the fish in. I took a picture, which is right above. Upon seeing my soaked self, my friend told me, "Justin, we were supposed to be fishing, not swimming!"
In other news, we are holding a contest for the Fish Tales And Fish Tails Logo. If you would like to participate, please make a .pdf or .jpg attachment to an email that has the subject "Logo Entry". Emails can be sent to fishonthefly97@gmail.com.
