I found a pod of big fish in some very fast water last weekend. The first fish took off like a rocket and spit the hook. The second one was landed. From then on it was broken tippets and spit hooks. I even switched to 4x tippet and they were snapping it like butter. I have never used 3x on putah, but I may have to bring some next outing.
Can you say soooooeeeeeyyyyy! Nice pig! The color is amazing! Was it as green as it looks? That angle is rough ... looks like big "shoulders".
3X ??? wow ... you fish circles around me ... I had the same problem last fall, and upped from 5X to 4X. In fact, it improved my success so much I started leaving the 6X at home.
I don't even know about 3X ... that about 8lb test .
Nice OTTER ... thanks for sharing.
My kids are back in school ... I hear the creek 'a' callin ... watch for the Gilligan hat and rust colored vest!
Ed
__________________
"You tell yourself that it will be both educational and spiritually uplifting, as all imaginative excuses for goofing off are." John Gierach, "Music of the Spheres".
DTP Yeah I'm running litespeed on my mountain bike. Nothing better than titanium. As for reels that is an old Waterworks. Pretty much beat up like most of my equipment.
Lahontan good to hear from you. Where you been? I am sure I will see you out there in the next month or so. I pretty much use Rio Fluoroflex. Their tippet rating is 7lbs for 4x. Not sure on the 3x. I think they cheat on their ratings. 6x tippet Rio seems thicker than others and is rated at 3.6lbs. All I know is I have tried other tippet and they break at less pull or they curl up when tying knots. Rio fluoroflex will catch you more fish!!
Most of the big fish actually remain pretty dark with red coloring all summer long. Very few spots below the lateral line.
.
callin ... watch for the 
Gilligan hat and rust colored vest!
Unbelievable
