Paydirt! Aug 21 2023

All summer, I've been catching tons of smallish trout with just a very few on the larger side.  I asked the fishing gods to get me into a few bigs and they answered!

2 nights ago I fished the North Tongue River in a heavily riparian section completely surrounded by 10 ft high bushes.  Cattle have carved out myriad paths which resembles a labyrinth.   Once you go in, will you be able to find your way out?

I happened upon a large bend in the river where a fast riffle fed into a deep slow turn.  I spied a huge trout on the opposite bank, hiding under some branches but actively feeding.   For nearly an hour I tried all manner of nymphs and dries. Each time my heart pounding with hopes he'd take one.   Nothing. 

Presently, a few other bigs started rising and after several changes of tactics one of the casually rose up to meet my fly opened his gaping mouth and chomped on it.  Fish on!  It was at least 15 inches and despite not having a net with me I landed him.

I returned to pursuing Mr Big but he still wouldn't play ball.  Yet another of his buddies came by and eventually sucked down a dry fly I presented to him.  For a few very long seconds he seemed to be frozen in space, beautiful colors shimmering in the water.  Clearly, a cuttie and a beast!  Landed him too.

Last night I went 5-6 miles upstream on the same river to where it narrowed to a small creek.  Found a spot where water spilled over a log creating a mini waterfall and a small pool.  I could see a very large trout just chilling at the bottom.   For 90 minutes I tried every technique I knew to get his interest and although he'd occasionally come to the surface for some bug, just to show off his girth, he wouldn't bite my line.

A guy came by who wanted to disperse camp there but was content to let me finish fishing.  We gabbed for a few minutes as I finally left the pool telling him there was a really nice fish for him to go after. 

 I stepped up to another pool, very much like the first, log, waterfall, pool.  I launched a fly into it from about 30 ft away and pow!  A  really nice cuttie (see pics above) slammed it.  I set the hook and he took off like a rocket, first heading upstream but then turning around at the waterfall and racing downstream right past me.  The camper, Patrick, was yelling that this was a great fish. It's one of the few times I've ever had to start scrambling over rocks to keep up with a fish.  Seen it happen on videos but never to me.

Patrick fetched a net from his truck and quickly waded onto the water to net the cuttie.   An act of generosity I thanked him profusely for.  Who would have thought a such a prize would be in such a small pool?!

 I shared some favorite Hot spots with Patrick who was already getting out his fly rod to try the creek himself.     Awesome!!