Whats more fun than catching a fish? Catching two at the same time.
How could that get more interesting? Simultaneously catching two different species, of course.
One from winter: the pic at the top shows a mixed double of rainbow trout and chain pickerel captured over deep water. They were sharing that location to feed on a school of alwives. Notice the third fish in the net. That alewife was barfed up by the pickerel. The gamefish were released unharmed. The alewife was DOA or maybe DOB.
This is a tactic I employ far too infrequently, and I’m actually prepared this time. I’ve got a rod & reel and some good searching lures. I’m on the way home from a road trip with a loose schedule. An interesting bridge over a steep valley makes me instantly curious.
A short, steep hike through misty rhododendrons and cedars reveals a midsize freestone stream. I’m thinking – smallmouth for sure!
Fish #1: a leeping, pink finned rainbow trout is a nice surprise.
Fish #2: a little smallmouth bass. That’s more like what I was expecting. A couple more of those and it’s time to move upstream.
A deep, slow pool yields a mix of largemouth, smallmouth, and sunfish.
Rivaling the rainbow, this bluegill may have been the gem of the day with shades of purple, turquois, and burnt orange.
Turning a monotonous grind into a mini adventure is as simple as being prepared and being willing to stop. A rod & reel and a small box of confidence lures is all the equipment you need. Most importantly, you have to stop. If you don’t stop and try, you’ll never know.
…northern snakehead for 2017 took a Bushido Shad in November like it was summer. Making the effort made it happen.
