Again, I tried to hide in my van and sleep until night time as I find that enjoyable. And, midnight fishing is possible here in Alaska. I got out on the water today at 2:20 PM, without a rain coat as the sky looked “okay”. Then it rained for 40 minutes, heavily, and the wind blew me several hundred yards south. I had been fishing Louise Specials and Olive Mohair Leeches, with not luck. I put on the old standby for lakes: The Sheep Creek Special. Since it is deadly in lakes, and I figured I had more than an hour to paddle back to the takeout point, I trolled back with a size 12 Sheep Creek Special attached to the end of my 3x fluorocarbon tippet, on an intermediate line.
I was doxing off, not paying attention, and not happy with how hard it was to kick a belly boat against the wind, and then……..could it me my first dolly varden ever?
No, it was a magnificent hatchery rainbow trout (the pectoral fins were damaged from the hatchery). I have only a small trout net with me, and this fish was too big for it. He/She jumped more than 6 times and still I was able to net this fish. My day was made. Time to head in, as I was soaked and cold, and I released a beautiful rainbow.
As I was nearing my take out point, a bank fisherman was doing his best. I thought, what the hell? The wind had died, so I cast to the shore in front of him, well out from his maximum cast, and …..
A large-to-me dolly varden attacked the fly, jumped 6+ times, bull dogged to the bottom of the lake, and eventually ended up in my too small net. I didn’t hear any swearing from the shore fisherman, but he left shortly after.
Another species to cross off my life list. I really want to catch Arctic Grayling, but they are 2 hours north, and I’m heading 2 hours south for the Silver Salmon to come in. On to Day 4 of my consecutive days of fishing.
Tight Lines!
Sweet! Glad you got one to scratch off your list. Sounds like you’re getting a routine that’s working you…good times!