Fear the Rapid

[tedr]

I got my butt kicked by a fish.  A favorite spot of mine is a deep tailout that turns into a short falls and very fast water.  I hooked a fish 5 feet from the falls and wasn't able to convince her to head up river instead of down.  My line got caught on a rock and a branch and I thought it was hopeless.  I worked my line off the rock and felt a tug i thought was the branch.  Well, it was, and the fish!  I reeled in the broken branch and untangled it.  I reeled in some more line and felt a tug, fish still on!  Man was I pumped as I saw the fish jump down stream, chrome and 8+ pounds.  I landed it in some soft water and put a swift bonk on her head, this after tripping down stream over mossy rocks next to dangerous fast water.  I haven't had an adrenalin rush like that in a while. 

What a day. 

I hooked and lost another nice hatchery fish that I tried to keep from going down the same rapids, I palmed the reel and it broke off, I was pissed at myself, but I had a fish already to help ease the pain.  I also caught a smaller but spunky native to finish off the day, C&R and time for the beautiful sunset walk back to the truck.

Today, I love fishing.

[Fast- eddy]

Nice going TedR. Nice sunset pict.

[RB]

Good to hear you're getting iinto fish. Sounds like you have yourself a honey hole. Hold onto her tight.

[tedr]

I've invested a lot of time on this creek and it is finally showing signs of paying off.  Days like yesterday sure help!

[fozzie]

Way to persevere, Ted! Love those frantic moments.

I landed it in some soft water and put a swift bonk on her head, this after tripping down stream over mossy rocks next to dangerous fast water.

At least you were chasing a fish. My buddy took a head long dive into the river chasing after a glove, this weekend. Funniest shiat ever! If I was Patrick McManus, I could fill a book with his antics (and he with mine, I suppose).

[kenpcpilot]

Please inform the ignorant.  What is with taking pictures of the fish's tail? I this for identification as a steelie?  size scale?  I am used to the trophy shots holding the fish at arms length for a close up giving a larger than life perspective. the famous head and tail grab horizontal, the hanging the fish upside down (after of course bashing its brains in).  I need to be updated on the photographing fish ettiquette.  Good job by the way.  I have been beating the water but mostly it is has been beating me.  I discovered those Drennan floats ride higher in the water especially after it becomes detached from your fishing line. 

[tedr]

For me the tail shot was the only photo that was decent and I was too lazy to wash the fish off and take another.  Since I was by myself I don't have a grip and grin shot.  I think the tail shot is cool since the tail of a steelhead is the best tail there is...