First trip of the year for summer runs yesterday. Went 3 for 4 between 1 and about 5. Diver and coon shrimp.Broke one off at the boat that I was just about ready to net. All smaller fish. Smallest was about 4 pounds the other 2 and the escapee about 7, maybe 8 pounds tops. These fish were really hot and put up incredible fights for their size. Started the first run at 1pm. Hooked the first fish at 1:02 pm. Suzyque did a great job with it. It came out of the water about 5 times. Got it in the boat started again and hooked a small trout. Let it go. Made another run through the hole. Nothing.
Went upriver to a hole that used to be real productive, but for some reason has been a let down the last couple years. It let me down again. Headed further up to another slot and just a few minutes into it thought I saw my rod tip do a couple little tugs. Noticed my tip wasnt showing any action. Reeled up as fast as I could and caught up with the fish about the time it was ready to pass the boat. Another fantastic fight and got that one in. Tried same spot again with no luck.
Headed back to where we started and within a couple minutes Suzys rod tip just gets buried and stays buried. She got it to the boat and I was able to slip a net under it. Headed to the top and started down for the last run of the day. Halfway through and her rod gets hammered again. She puts up a valiant fight and gets the fish to the boat about 3 times. Not quite ready to net. 4th time its getting close. I lean out to get the net ready. It takes off again and the leader and dropper for the diver both broke. They must have got tangled and cut each other. Bad ending, but exciting.
River is really low and a lot of the narrow chutes have really changed. If you go out there be really careful.
