Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit
Posted by jeremy on June 08, 2006
(4641 reads)
Striped Bass Video
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A few weeks ago, Linesidesonthefly gave me one of his big Pollock Flies. These flies take a long time to tie and if I wanted to buy one, they run $20. I tried to refuse his offering, but he insisted. "Seriously dude, take it to Rhode Island with you. I just want to see a picture of a big Striper with my fly in his mouth." So, I really wanted to make that happen and I knew I had to be careful. The same environments that warrant using a fly of this size also make it easy to lose them. In my opinion, big flies are best fished off the ledges or in the fast raging currents of the tidal rivers. Both of these environments are intimidating by nature and they have a way of making a "big" fly look small. Also, jagged rocks and crashing surf and ledges and big huge eddies and all sorts of other environmental factors can easily swallow up a few flies in no time. So, I used this fly in select locations and with great care. This evening, I had the perfect spot to try. I stepped up on the ledge and looked down at big raging tidal river below me. There was one little piece of pocket water creating a back eddie and it looked like the perfect ambush holding spot for a nice fish. I carefully stripped the
right amount of line into my stripping basket, looked behind me for trees and put the fly where it needed to be. The fly hit the water and Fisherboy and I watched as I twitched it in the white water. It looked so good, even I wanted to eat it. It looked just like a wounded or disorientated baitfish. As if in slow motion, the big Striper appeared from nowhere and hammered the fly. I set the hook, he was not happy and I said hello to my backing. This was only the beginning. I had to basically scale my way down a huge, nasty, slippery and sharp rock wall. Somehow, Fisherboy did the same behind me while shooting video. We were both on level ground safely and we were both shocked that this fish was actually on one of our fly rods. The fish was still into the backing and there was allot of distance between us. Then, the variable pulls of the fish changed to a steady pull. I could feel a change of energy in the fly rod and it was not good energy. I was hung up on something. This was not good. I thought to myself, "maybe the fish will get me untangled." A few seconds passed and nothing was happening. Then I thought, "Oh man, he must have spit the hook and now I am hung up on a ledge." But, I was not going to quit. I was determined to try to free my line from whatever obstacle it was on, and hope for the best. It has happened before, why not this time. So many times I have thought I have lost a fish to a hang-up, then the line comes free and the fish is still on. So, I worked downstream trying all sorts of rod angles to budge my line or fly from this heart breaking obstruction. Then, I felt it slip. But, the pressure of the fish was still there. The fish and I both realized that the game was still on and he took more line. Finally after a great battle, we landed the fish, took some pics and let him go. To date, this is the best Striper I have ever caught on the fly. So, Linesidesonthefly, here is the picture you asked for. I will forever remember this fish and the fly that tricked him. Next time I see you, I will give you the fly back.
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by wrh on June 08, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | | NICE FISH! looks like you earned that one Jeremy. |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by Fisherboy on June 08, 2006 | Awsome job jeremy that was an awsome fish. Thanks for taking me along
Austin |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by Shaq on June 08, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | Great clip. "I still got him dude!" How many times have we all heard that! Classic. Gotta love fish that will just wallow in the current, wrap you up and make you think they're gone. Love it. Can't tell you how many steelhead have done that to me over the years, good to know there are smart big stripers out there to test you too.
Nice! |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by gilly09 on June 08, 2006 | Awesome Fish!
Pete will smile from ear to ear to read this.
We tie a lot together in the winter and we whipped a few of those up this January.
My first one took about an hour to tie.
Thanks Pete for being so patient! |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by Linesidesonthefly on June 08, 2006 | | Dude, I don't want that fly back. You earned the right to keep it. That's a sweet fish, congrats to you. Thanks for giving it a test drive. Now go get one bigger than 40" with it....... |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by Linesidesonthefly on June 08, 2006 | | Can you e-mail me the pics? I bet one would make a cool screen saver. ppresby@maine.rr.com |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by patm on June 09, 2006 http://www.yankeeford.com | awesome fish jeremy. guess that says the big ones are here.
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by waterwhippa on June 09, 2006 | | I've seen that look of determination on your face before. I knew you were all business. Well done bro! |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by ChrisR on June 12, 2006 | | Wow. Guess I should have taken you up on the striper fishing offer. That one is a monster. Great job bring that fish to hand dude. |
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Re: Striped Bass: Big Fish, Big Flies, Never Quit by zipca on June 10, 2009 | | Nice! Can anyone give me some advice I'm new to fly fishing been saltwater fishing for years and years but just ook this up, been practicing in the yard, can anyone give me a spot in eastern Ct or RI where a guy can practice and still have a chance to catch. I'm using a Sage rod Ross reel and sa intermediate sinking line any and all advise will be helpful Bill |
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