Cold, cloudy days are the best. You see, trout do not have eyelids. Looking up into the sun is not what trophy brown trout do… On this day I did not have a fishing guide client. I was prefishing for a very important client that I was fishing the next day. New spots and techniques often come from days like these. I was fishing a nymph combo that I had designed for this run of the Provo River. I had been out for about an hour and had seen only one other angler. This stretch of the Provo River sees hundreds of anglers all summer long. I was alone.
The take was not a nibble. This monster brown was aggressive and grabbed the nymph at full speed. He ran downstream without hesitation and had me into my backing in an instant. I now had a decision. Chase him or try to stop him. By this time I could not see my 90 foot of fly line, only backing leading into the water and around the corner of the river. I lifted the rod over my head and began running and reeling as fast as possible. I fell twice but managed to stay hooked to this monster of a brown trout. When I spotted him in an eddy above the rapids I knew I had one chance. Without even getting tight with my line I rushed forward and netted him in one big swoop. My custom made, larger than usual net had payed off big time. I lifted him from the water and marveled at his size and girth. 33 inches and 9 1/2 lbs in the middle Provo River!! Holy Cow! I made the decision to walk upstream toward the angler that I had seen earlier in the day. With my net underwater I walked the 1/2 mile or so till I saw the guy on the other side of the river. I yelled above the roar of the water to get his attention. He looked at me and I raised the net from the water. “Can I get some help?” His eyes grew large and he came to my aid armed with his Iphone in picture mode. Whew. What a fishing adventure!!
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