High Sierra Trout
First trout of ‘08
While most of you were probably sitting around the house nursing hangovers and watching football, I headed out in search of the first trout of the year. I didn’t go skiing because the snow sucks right now, I’ll have to wait until the end of the week for good snow. Forecasters are now calling for 5-10 feet, but we’ll see. I went back to the same spot on the Little Truckee and had it all to myself again. Soon after I arrived a nice brown rose a couple of times, but I put him down with a sloppy cast. About 30 minutes later I hooked a strong brown on a size 20 PT flashback nymph dropped off a parachute Adams (pictured below).
First trout of the year
The trout fought pretty doggedly at first, then warmed up and charged all around the pool. At one point he took refuge in a weed bed next to a big rock and I thought for sure I’d lose him. I gently put enough pressure on him to slowly lead him back into open water, putting as much strain on the 7X tippet as I dared. The fish measured about 16”, and was dark and skinny like an eel. No more action besides that one fish, but I was very happy with my results. It was a great way to ring in the New Year. On my way home I saw a guy fishing the one big, deep hole on the Little Truckee (pictured below). He said he’d caught a few little guys drifting small nymphs without an indicator.
Deep hole
I might head back up there tomorrow afternoon, if it gets warm enough. Today was a little colder than it was on Sunday and I had a little trouble with ice on my line. Now it’s time to watch Hawaii play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
