4-9-2010

Got to the river about 1:30 in the afternoon. Slight overcast, air temp high 50s. The water is a little high with a touch of remaining color but it is dropping and getting better every second. With the higher water the best taking spot at the top of the run is out of play. The money water at this height is the 5 big rocks just above where the tailout forms and the water speed picks up. I put on a Black Magic, dry of course, ans start working my way down from the top. Things are fishing nicely and my confidence is high. As I get close to the rocks I start working a bit slower. I am throwing careful casts that turn over and fish right away. Just about to rock three and I see a flash and there is a big smash on the surface. A moment later I am tight to a fish and the fight is on. Hot fish, all over the pool, almost into the backing several times. Moments later, in my hand, 8-9# hen, pure wild steel, not a scratch on it. I removed the Black Magic, steadied

her in the flow and moments later she leapt from my grasp and back into the gene pool. Lovely.

I took a break and an hour later or so went back through the run with a slightly sunk Duncan's and viola, another identical hen. A really nice afternoon