Donkey Sorbet 3/26/2021: new jig/float tactics with the new rod

[tacklejunkie]

SOB..

After six months I pegged a donkey on the new 9' 2 piece Okuma steelhead rod, Shimano 70HG micro-baitcaster, the 10lb VANISH (non trans), a new AERO-FLOAT AF1 1/8th oz float* and matcing 1/8" spiffy jig I forgot who tied it.

Kept farming trout. Fording creeks for weeks. Sigh. Snow by night, rain by day. Costal mountains perfectly positioned to snow at night and rain at daylight. /not getting any love from MR STEEL..

Was looking at them troutsicles for Troutartar... but this rod doesn't pierce trout lips. Which I had a problem with previously. Interestingly enough. Refused switching out rods. this time.

Put on my damn waders and started hiking up and down the damn steep thorn and fern covered hills yet again. Four damn days before season end, on my favourite damn stretch of cold *** cloudy damn Oregon river.

---------my fuggin' bobber SMASHED under the surface------

"WHACK!" I Said!

It was on. Same pool as last time. I fished it a hundred times and nothing. This bobber. THIS BOBBER!
SliiiIIIiiiiIIP SLIPP SLIPPPPP!!!! the drag goes more. Tighten it! S(*T! TIGHTEN IT MORE!
The weight of the fish and the head shakes became apparent as it made it's turn down stream for "the chute".

The dog went wild.

I knew I didn't have much time. I had the new rod. I had the thicker line. I had the thick jig hook. I spent WEEKS finding the fish to bite this combination and it wasn't easy! Now it was time to make it happen. It was time to grow balls and pull on this fish.
I pulled on the fish. It turned! Up stream it went. To the left I swung my rod and pulled again! Down stream the fish turned again!

I knew I had him. This was it!
The dog jumped into the water after the fish... as large as the dog! and got a few tails.

HAd to yell at the dog to back off. saw the jig was firmly planted. Realized I could relax. It didn't matter if I caught the fish or not, anymore.
I had a battle already. I relaxed. The fish relax... and he swam near shore to be unhooked and released before any cameras saw what happened.



as I type this. the adrenaline still flows. better than sex. I had my first cigarette in.... MONTHS!
phew!

all from the NEW 5x8' solar shed. 30 miles deep. Just as the first bit of sun begins to roll out and the season closes. On my favourite stretch of river in Oregon.

Holy F)*%# S*^T Dopamines all over

* - this made the difference. I promptly went back to the dealer and bought 5 more.