They say it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. That thought came to mind while contemplating the the second BIG fish I'd hooked and played for about 15 minutes and subsequntly lost yesterday. Got to the parking area above the bridge at about 6:30 and was streamside before first light. set up about 50 yards below the bridge and took my time rigging up. Hooked a couple of fish which quickly came off over the first couple of hours,and was thinking about moving downstream when I hooked the first one. I never got a look at it as I hooked it midstream and wasn't able to get it any closer. I had 7x mono between the point fly and the dropper and dared not try to horse it in. After about 10 minutes of alternating upstream and downstream runs, it found a weed mat and out came the hook. It felt like a 20" plus fish but I never got a look at it. A couple of more hours went by before I hooked the biggest trout I've ever seen in person let alone hooked came to play. Another long battle of at least 15 minutes and the 5wt rpl was dancing all over the place. The net I'd brought along is a typical shallow catch and release net which is usually sufficient for the marority of the fish I catch. The pig I was playing tug of war with could have eaten that net and spit back tooth picks at me! I did my best as the fish did it's and I finally got it to an eddy at my feet. It took off, but I was able to coax it back and this scenario was repeated three or four times until I thought it was ready to be admired and released. THATS WHEN I F**KED UP! With no adequate net on hand, grabbed the line with my right hand and set my rod down and attempted to tail the fish.I slowly pulled what I could tell now was a massive buck to within a foot of being able to grab him and with one last surge he was gone, snapping the leader in the 5x segment. I'd had him at my feet and had gotten a good look at him and he was at least 25" and probably went 8-10lbs! This was my first true Putah pig and didn't stop shaking with adrenaline for minutes after! In retrospect, it worked out like that for the best. With my camera tucked away in my backpack, and not having a big net to cradle him in the water, He might have been out of the water too long while I snapped some pics and the last I wanted to do was see him go belly up. The next time I fish Putah, I'll have my camera around my neck and I'll be toting my jumbo long handled ,wood frame/handle rubber bag pig net!!!!!!! Tight lines, Viking
A couple things to add, one you dont need to use 7X on putah right now. 5X will do or at the most 6X I promise. I saw you with this fish and you foul hooked him in the tail, a big fish yes...but none the less hooked in the tail...
I noticed that before it took off, but I think that was the point fly and the dropper was in its mouth, maybe not. I'm sure you're right about the tippet . I recently fished Hat creek and Baum lake and the light tippets were a must with the gin clear water and tiny flies. Thanks for letting me know that I needn't go so light. See you on the Creek, Viking
AND ANOTHER THING ; PLEASE DO NOT PLAY ANY FISH THIS TIME OF YEAR OVER 3 min. MAX. I USE 8LB WITH TRAILER ON 6LB. WE ALL FOUL HOOK WHEN I DO IT I BREAK HIM OF ASAP ANY WAY HAVE FUN AND NO RACKING THE BEDS MOSES
viking glad you got into fish. play them hard. I know there's a fine line between horsing them in and playing them hard but your success in landing these big trout relies on it. The longer you fight them only gives them more time to get free. You gotta learn to trust your line and your hooks. And a fish hooked in the tail you should be able to feel that, when the fish swims and your rod is bouncing like crazy than the fish is swimming at you backwards are really good signs to break them off.
Thanks for the replies guys!. I will take all of your advice seriously when I next fish Putah. Heaver tippet and more pressure would have resulted in a earlier breakoff or landing the fish. Either would have a better scenario. See you on the Creek, Viking.
