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Sight Casting #11009171 07/30/15 12:02 PM
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Lloyd5 Offline OP
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Saturday was the first day I was able to fish in a long time (in the Brazos below Whitney). The water was clear but stained. Visibility was decent. I caught a lot of fish, but one in particular stands way out from the rest.

A nice bass, about 24", cruised slowly just above the gravel in about four feet of water. I could see him well enough to know it was a bass but not well enough to make out details. It stopped and hovered, facing into the current, about twenty feet in front of me, maybe a bit less.

I cast upstream of it, far enough that my fly would have time to sink to the bottom before getting to the bass. The current was pretty fast at that point because the river narrows down dramatically due to a rock shelf. I watched the bass with one eye and the fly as it traveled down and towards the bass with the other eye. As the fly came within three feet of the bass, it moved over slightly to be directly in line with the fly.

Then it took it. It took it gently, not the way I normally see bass take. It just opened its mouth and let it "flow" in. And then the fight was on. The bass used the stiff current to its full advantage and gave a very good battle, going airborne twice. Because I had pinched the barb I was able to release the bass by grasping the fly shank and twisting a bit. I didn't have to touch the bass or pull it all of the way out of the water.

I can close my eyes and see that bass against the gravel just like I was still there. I caught other bass, other fish, and not one of them is as clear of a memory.

I love sight casting.


Texas State Editor: FishExplorer http://www.fishexplorer.com/tx

http://www.amazon.com/River-Proceeds-Wou...ds=on+the+river

Warm Water Fly Fishing Nut
Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11012663 07/31/15 11:11 PM
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Crazy4oldcars Offline
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I always have a problem when I see that mouth open.
The adrenaline kicks in.
I get the shakes.
I set the hook.
If I manage to stop myself long enough that I don't pull the fly right out of his mouth, it is still a hard enough hookset to jerk his head around, and then the fight is on.
He's pulling, I'm pulling. I'm stumbling around, trying to keep myself vertical, dancing around roots and limbs (both tree and mine!) and stripped in line, all the while adding to the wad of line wrapping around my knees.
Finally, the fish is close enough to reach down and grab it by the bottom lip. That first desperate head shake that puts those nifty marks on your thumb. Hand still shaking, you dislodge the hook and just let go of him.
In spite of all the commotion, the fish gently slides under the surface, turns down and swims slowly off.
A couple of deep breaths, untangle all the line around my legs and reel up all the slack. Make your way to the bank and sit down for a few minutes. Collect your thoughts and give the big grin a chance to cool down to a remembering smile.





Oh, that problem I mentioned?

I think I'm addicted.

Kirk


"The cheese in the mousetrap is ALWAYS free"
Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11013361 08/01/15 01:13 PM
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FWBanger Offline
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Cool story. A lot of people that don't fish and especially fly fish wouldn't understand your appreciation of this feat. Good job. I've done it with sunfish several times and am working on something bigger.

Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11013376 08/01/15 01:25 PM
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Linecaster Offline
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Good feeling of achievement whenever that comes about. Thanks for the memory.


In the beginning God created. Gen. 1:1
All things were made by him and without him was not anything made. John 1:3
Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11019331 08/04/15 05:02 PM
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Lloyd5 Offline OP
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Had a similar experience this weekend, sort of. Caught a tiny bluegill and as I pulled it in a bass took it in its mouth and took off with it. I got to see that part. Had a nice fight but the bass wasn't hooked and let the little gill go eventually. It was all fun, except to the gill. Seeing that bass come up and take that little bluegill was cool as hell.

Last edited by Lloyd5; 08/04/15 05:02 PM.

Texas State Editor: FishExplorer http://www.fishexplorer.com/tx

http://www.amazon.com/River-Proceeds-Wou...ds=on+the+river

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Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11021087 08/05/15 05:44 AM
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Robert Hunter Offline
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I site casted to this old girl and she took real quick on first cast. I swung and came right out seamed spooked but second cast landed on the nose and fish on!right hand bad in my sig pics was also a sight fishing big girl.


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Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11021088 08/05/15 05:45 AM
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Robert Hunter Offline
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Oops left hand fish in sig line


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Re: Sight Casting [Re: Lloyd5] #11021158 08/05/15 11:23 AM
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Lloyd5 Offline OP
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Daaanngg!


Texas State Editor: FishExplorer http://www.fishexplorer.com/tx

http://www.amazon.com/River-Proceeds-Wou...ds=on+the+river

Warm Water Fly Fishing Nut
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