siskiyoufisherman
10-10-2011, 07:16 AM
Finished my work around the house for the day then walked down to the river just around sunset. As I arrived at the spot I wanted to fish 2 other guys arrived at the same time. I took the lower end by the tailout they fished the deeper faster water. After about a half dozen snags they left. I pulled out my Mepps and the third cast I felt two big head shakes and saw it roll in about 3 feet of water. One big run across the river into a pool and I had to move quick, I waded across the tailout up to my waist, as you will see from the pics I'm tall and thin. I managed to get control of him for a while then he shot across to the other side so I waded across to where I started and he took off across the river again, so I waded across again. By now he rolled belly up for abut 10 seconds then made one more run, I got him back again this time belly up and when I went to grab him he did just what I was afraid of and ran into and over the tailout and into the riffles. At that point I opened up the bail and headed down stream a few times up to my chest. I was able to get him to a small pool on the edge and lock him in long enough to grab his big lips and wrestle him on the bank. He is 29 1/2 inches 16 3/4 girth 10.52 lbs. Although this is a fish that has been planted by the City of Dunsmuirs big fish program it was very strong and fought to the death and gave an epic battle. (and a few good meals)
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