M
mgdguy
Active member
Headed out to Oxbow early this morning hoping (once again) to hook into my first local Steelhead or Springer. Fished the hole with bobber and jig with a rubber "Q" tail. Once I saw them around, rolling up the surface, I was determined not to walk away skunked once again. within the fist hour BOOM, fish on! Go to set the hook, pull up, only to hear too loose of a drag. Fish OFF 
Ok, good lesson - tighten the drag a few more clicks 
I also noticed that I was moving my jig in a little closer to the bank when I got the strike. Hmmm...I bet when that tail on the jig MOVES under the bobber, it looks a lot more enticing! So that's what I started doing - reeling and 'pulling' the jig a little through the hole. Not long after - FISH ON! Set the hook and this time it stays on 
As soon as we get fighting this steely makes 3 to 4 great leaps out of the water. It's all I can do to keep the line tight as it try to throw it.
Got him to the bank and see it's a native. Beautiful chrome summer with nice rainbow sides. Probably 9-10 pounds and around 30" I would guess.
This is the biggest fish I've ever had on. My heart was racing. Can't keep him, and don't even want to pull him up to the bank, but I need to get a pic dammit! So I pull him up along parallel, swimming alongside the bank. He's calm. Crap where's my camera phone?! Of course it's in my bag 10 feet behind me. Along with the pliers So with one hand on the rod I try to slowly walk back to grab both, while keeping the fish in the water. As soon as I turn my head to look in the pocket for the camera, BAM! The fish is gone along with my jig
Anyway despite not getting a pic, or getting to bring a fish home, it was an awesome morning. And I've learned a few more things that I think will bring me better success from now on.
I guess last weeks trout really DID get the skunk off me! :lol:
Ok, good lesson - tighten the drag a few more clicks I also noticed that I was moving my jig in a little closer to the bank when I got the strike. Hmmm...I bet when that tail on the jig MOVES under the bobber, it looks a lot more enticing! So that's what I started doing - reeling and 'pulling' the jig a little through the hole. Not long after - FISH ON! Set the hook and this time it stays on As soon as we get fighting this steely makes 3 to 4 great leaps out of the water. It's all I can do to keep the line tight as it try to throw it.Got him to the bank and see it's a native. Beautiful chrome summer with nice rainbow sides. Probably 9-10 pounds and around 30" I would guess.
This is the biggest fish I've ever had on. My heart was racing. Can't keep him, and don't even want to pull him up to the bank, but I need to get a pic dammit! So I pull him up along parallel, swimming alongside the bank. He's calm. Crap where's my camera phone?! Of course it's in my bag 10 feet behind me. Along with the pliers
So with one hand on the rod I try to slowly walk back to grab both, while keeping the fish in the water. As soon as I turn my head to look in the pocket for the camera, BAM! The fish is gone along with my jig Anyway despite not getting a pic, or getting to bring a fish home, it was an awesome morning. And I've learned a few more things that I think will bring me better success from now on.
I guess last weeks trout really DID get the skunk off me! :lol:
.
ray: 
