A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish.

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T.T.
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2008/03/31 20:53:23 (permalink)

A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish.

Saturday morning was a bit cold, but the youngster from Kentucky wasn't bothered by the nip in the air.  The slush in the stream was another story.  The group of old friends and young rookie hit the stream looking for a trophy catch.


The sun was out and eventually burned off the slush, but didn't really turn the fish on.  They hung tight to the few deeper pools, and only in certain spots.  Everyone tried multiple items and presentations trying to coax a bite from a hungry steellhead.  Some even switched rods to try and work the water completely.  It was fun, but frustrating.


The recently stocked smolts were the first to show themselves, and with a hunger and attitude to match, they hit hard and often, forcing the men to work other seams in the current.  Then, it happened...


The massive chrome beast hit like a sledgehammer, ripping the fly out of the fast current.  As the experienced steelheader looked at the group, the young man stepped forward to take the reins as well as the fight to the fish.  As the hand-off took place, the fish took that momment to shoot out into the heaviest part of the current.  The young fisherman would have to work hard to land this bruiser. 

The student was taking commands, and doing his best when the beast pulled the best trick out of his bag of tricks.  It's a move which seems to be passed down only from the oldest and smartest trout to the next generation of smarter, stronger fish.  The fish came straight at the young man, catching him completely off-guard.  Alas, this would turn out to be the fish's day to swim away, ripping the heart out of the youth in the process, as the hook came swinging out of the water, fishless.

This was a day seamingly better suited for fishing, rather than catching.  The boy and his Grandfather would eventually part ways with some of the group, and head to other waters, where they did find one fish who underestimated the boy's knowledge.  That fish apparently didn't realize he was dealing with a battle-tested fisherman, now.  There are no photos of that fish, but none is needed, as the day was really more about his time on the water.  Hundreds of miles and half a day's travel from home, the boy will never forget that day in March on the waters of Steelhead Alley with his Grandfather.  A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish.


#1

19 Replies Related Threads

    Bughawk
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/03/31 20:57:40 (permalink)
    T.T.  Thanks for that great story.  I know it means a lot to all who were there.

    pax vobiscum +
    #2
    cp13
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/03/31 21:09:40 (permalink)
    great story
    #3
    Skip16503
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/03/31 21:23:46 (permalink)
    Had a great time that day guys
     
    Tim thanks for recording our day I'm sure that Grandpa and boy will appreciate it too 

     



    #4
    woodnickle
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/03/31 22:02:25 (permalink)
    What can I say! Thanks for the great post.

    #5
    indsguiz
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/03/31 22:32:55 (permalink)
    T.T.,
       Thanks for posting the story.  Brandon sends a GREAT BIG thanks to you, Skip and Bughawk for your kindness and also to Glenn at the PSA meeting.  Sorry we couldn't stay there but we had three things to do.  He is already planning one more trip up maybe for the 10-13 to try for steel one day and stockies another.  And yep he skunked grandpa that day.  Of course he also skunked three other "experts" too.  Ah, the advantages of youth.

    Illegitimis Non carborundum
    #6
    steelydaze
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/03/31 22:38:03 (permalink)
    That's what its all about. Thanks for sharing.

    She had bad body odor but boy could she sure skin a salmon!
    "Trust but verify" R.R.
    #7
    MuskyMastr
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/01 02:35:20 (permalink)
    Awesome........There are a few muskies who learn that trick as well.

    Better too far back, than too far forward.
    #8
    Youghman
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/01 08:12:22 (permalink)
    Good work T.T.  Great narrative!
    Sometimes we forget that's what this whole fishing thing is all about.
    Nice to see a youngster having a thrill in the outdoors.
    #9
    mikeg
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/01 09:11:59 (permalink)
    Nice work T.T...
     
    Great story and pics!

    For my fishing reports, product reviews, stories, and other nonsense...
    http://bassjunky76.blogspot.com/
    #10
    doubletaper
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/01 09:50:16 (permalink)
    enjoyed reading the true life adventures of youth on the stream. great job!!                            ~dt

    http://streamsidetales.bl...015/05/helles-yea.html
    it's not luck
    if success is consistent 





    #11
    JDRCAR424
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/01 10:47:41 (permalink)
    Wish ...I had the chance to spend time on the stream with my Grandpa and dad like that...JOB WELL DONE.
     
    He will remember it for life.
     
    JRC
    #12
    D.T.FISH
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/01 19:28:41 (permalink)
    !!

    If your gonna mess with the Kings Queens you better watch your Ace Jack!
    D.T.
    #13
    venomous grin
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/02 03:00:45 (permalink)
    Thats about the coolest thing ive read on here in sometime, you really put the words to the story as an author would...good stuff

    Life isn't like a box of chocolates . it's more like a jar of
    jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your****tomorrow.
    #14
    T.T.
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/02 10:38:53 (permalink)
    I'm sure my creative writing professor back in college would have a different opinion about that, but thanks.  We set out from minute one to get the boy onto some fish, and they just didn't want to cooperate.  It's crazy how things like that work out sometimes, but for indsguiz, that's the second time this steelhead season.  He's now traveled around 1,000 miles (2 round trips) and he'll correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he only caught one trout.  Now, that trout was a trophy brown, but it really speaks to his dedication to fishing.  That and standing around talking about fishing.

    Thanks everyone for the compliments, but that young man deserves a big pat on the back for being tough enough to put up with the cold and keep on fishing during his first trip to Erie.  He's new to fishing, and coming from Kentucky, he's certainly new to cold mornings standing in equally cold water.
    post edited by T.T. - 2008/04/02 10:58:34
    #15
    indsguiz
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/02 15:21:54 (permalink)
    T.T.,
         Actually it's about 508 miles ONE WAY!  So counting the One Fly, the extra trip, the side trip down to fish on Dee Beaver, Spring Creek and the Bald Eagle then this trip is comes out to about 3657 miles; but who's counting  ( Whoops, Guess I am)  Will be adding another 1200 miles to that this coming weekend as the young man wants to experience "first Day" on the little J and also try for steel one more time.  Coming soon to a hotel near you. My credit card company loves me.   Oh and yes I still have only caught 1 brown trout since Oct 1 of last year.  I'm going to have to ask for lessons.   "And a little child shall lead him".

    Illegitimis Non carborundum
    #16
    saxon1
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/02 19:12:12 (permalink)
    T.T.:
             One of THE best things i've read on here in awhile......THAT'S what it's all about.....
    #17
    rippinlip
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/03 19:59:27 (permalink)
    A very enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing.

    You should have been here yesterday.............. Streams are made for the wise man to contemplate and fools to pass by [Sir Izaak Walton]
    #18
    Kokanee Killer
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/03 20:50:27 (permalink)
    Thanks good read,we all can learn something here sometimes its not all about the catching.

    I have become comfortably numb
    #19
    FisherChic
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    RE: A Grandpa, a boy, and some fish. 2008/04/04 10:26:46 (permalink)
    cool pics and a nice story :)
    #20
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