November Rain

This is the kind of day it was. The pic should communicate well that conditions were less-than-desirable. Warm rain is one thing... Sleet is another. The family was obligated to be away today though, and I had a short slot to get out: 10 AM to 12 PM on this day. I did hem and haw about where to go, what to fish for, etc... but eventually threw the canoe on top of the Satty and set out.

Second cast met a pulsing resistance and I was pretty excited: second cast fish could portend a very good couple hours. Turned out to be M. salmoides though. Came from pretty deep.

You'll probably figure I rigged up this photo... but I'm telling you - trout #1 was hooked on the stinger. 11.5" caught troll-paddling in fairly deep water (full sinking line).

I was hard-pressed to stay out there. After eviscerating that trout, my hands were pretty much frozen. Paddling helped, so I took to 100% trolling. In some respects, it felt great to be out there. Only a trio of anglers fishing from shore... wind and rain beating down, meaning to defy my efforts to harvest some fish... kind of a toothpick atop the water on a gray and metallic, hard day. Nobody in this age of men can really be called a warrior, but we like to feel like one now and then. Subjecting oneself to punishment, in pursuit of quarry can do that it seems. Felt good indeed. I was dressed pretty well, so other than my hands, I was warm. I trolled around a bit, and I believe I had two more hits, although I can't be sure. Paddling solo like that, you have to rest the rod between your legs, so there is a delay between detecting strikes and gripping the rod. I was too slow a couple times.

There came a point at which the trio of anglers left, the wind kicked up, and the rain came a little harder. I figured it was my signal. I started for the landing, still trolling... and to end things well, caught this 14" rainbow on the way in. Believe it or not, also hooked on the stinger. Biggest trout I've kept I think (not caught, but rather kept). (I consider this a food fishery, and these rainbows are stocked. I have never kept a wild brown >12.5".)

Probably the last time I'll target trout until January 1, 2009. Probably eat these fish tonight with some dirty rice and bread. Have it ready when the family returns.