Busted - Almost!

by Les Albjerg


I had three hours between appointments yesterday. It was a nice morning, and I have my TenkaraBum Traveler 44 back from my son because he bought his own rod. This was my second premium rod from Chris, but I didn't get to fish it much last year because my son fell in love with it. Now he is fishing on his own as well as with his Dad.

I really don't like going to Wilson Springs on the weekend. Now that I have fished it a lot, I know most of the regulars. There are several of them who don't like me because I catch too many fish. I am open to sharing. To be fair, there are several who greet me, and are more friendly and are curious about my different way of fishing. I have been exploring the TenkaraBum Traveler at the 36 setting. There is a corner where I like to fish and this is just about the right length. The first fish I caught today on the second cast with a Red Wiggler swallowed the hook. So it was a keeper. I caught one more and released it, and then decided to try the W.C. Strwart's triple hook set-up. He talks about it in the "Practical Angler", and shows how to rig it on page 143. I don't like it after my first experience with it. I cast it out with my usual 2 Dinsmore #10 split shot into the current, and the rig drifted about three feet, and Wham! fish on. The problem was it was too much on! The first hook (tail end) was in his gut. The middle hook was in his gill, and the third hook in the upper mouth. What a mess! My second keeper, so my fishing was done in the put and take pools.

I had never fished the "Trophy Pool." I just had gotten some pink chenille from Chris, and had tied up a dozen "overhand" worms on Gamakatsu R10-B size 14 hooks. I went over to my car and put the two trout in the cooler, and got rid of my worms and rigged up with the overhand worm. It is amazing that fishing 10 yards from where I caught the two fish in a different pool, the rules are "artificial lures only, single barbless hooks, catch and release only." After about a dozen casts, I realized that the current in this pool is stronger, so I added a BB split shot 24 inches above the fly. On my second cast with the heavier rig, I got a strike! I had just casted out again, and a voice from behind me said, "Idaho Fish and Game, I need to check your outfit." I turned around startled, and said, "O.K." I pulled in my line, and stepped up to him. His first comment was, "Where is your reel?" I simply told him, that I was using a Japanese fixed line fly fishing rod." He checked my license. He then said, let me see what you are fishing with." I handed him the fly. He carefully inspected the hook to see that it was barbless. The great thing about the Gamakatsu R10-B is it is made as a barbless hook. He then asked me, "What kind of fly is this?" I said, "It is called the Overhand Worm." He said, "O.K., but there were some guys who stopped me and told me you were fishing with real worms in the trophy pond." I didn't respond, but asked, "Is it O.K. to get back to fishing?" He said, "Yes go ahead."

I was getting the currents of this new pool figured out, and about 20 minutes into fishing the pond, I was into a really nice trout! I caught my largest rainbow to date on fixed line! It was a very nice 19.25 inch trout that gave me a good 10-15 minute fight! Unfortunately, my cell phone was in the car and a game warden on the prowl, so no picture! The "Overhand Worm" is a winner! There are several links to it on this website. You can find it under "Ultralight Worm Fishing" tab. It is a winner.

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“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.


Warning:

The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.

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