Favorite fish/story/trip of 2024?

Two in particular. A incredible trip to an island off the coast of Belize for bonefish, tarpon and permit with my girlfriend of two years, who I dearly love, where I very nearly proposed before reality set in and I remembered that she was 37 years younger than I. And the creative seat of the pants trip north of the Arctic Circle in Norway that I told the story of here.
 
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Something different and very memorable:

For the past decade or so I have supported helping those in need. Some are/were boards members, some not. This year was no different.

One family had a child with some serious medical issues (cancer). The dad wanted to take his son out fishing. Something his son loved to do. I setup my boat, filled it full of gear, and pointed out where and how to fish. When they came back in smiles everywhere. And yes, the son caught the biggest fish (22"). Unfortunately he will not he back next year... Memories were made...

A mom and dad separated due to medical issues with their daughter. The mom wanted to experience what fishing was all about, especially with her daughter. I took them out and lots of hoots and hollers by all involved. I just got a Christmas card from them. They will be back next year. Good times...
 
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RCF said:
Something different and very memorable:

For the past decade or so I have supported helping those in need. Some are/were boards members, some not. This year was no different.

One family had a child with some serious medical issues (cancer). The dad wanted to take his son out fishing. Something his son loved to do. I setup my boat, filled it full of gear, and pointed out where and how to fish. When they came back in smiles everywhere. And yes, the son caught the biggest fish (22"). Unfortunately he will not he back next year... Memories were made...

A mom and dad separated due to medical issues with their daughter. The mom wanted to experience what fishing was all about, especially with her daughter. I took them our and lots of hoots and hollers by all involved. I just got a Christmas card from them. They will be back next year. Good times...
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Good on you!
 
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I had a lot of good days by myself, but the best had to be a couple weeks ago when I, my son, and grandson all landed a steelhead.
 
Lots of memorable days this year. Trout on a spring creek in Ohio, a few surfperch, tuna, and quite a few fall chinook and coho. Fish of the year for me has to be a local trib fall chinook after the rain event we had in late August. Enough rain to bump the river gauge and to spur me to get finally get my WA license.

After a late start, and last minute unsuccessful scramble to put a chinook fly outfit together, I grabbed the spin rod, some flies, and headed to Sportsman's, where I anxiously waited in line a very long 20 min. Got to the river an hour later than I planned, and probably 3 later than when I should've been there. Was even less hopeful with the sun coming out, and seeing the river up less than a foot from summer lows. No fish visible in a favorite pocket water spot, but I was there, so chucked a pink shrimpy pattern into the foam anyway. Couple casts later my line stopped and was in utter disbelief feeling head shakes and seeing silver flashes. Even better, it was clipped!

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The best catch of all though was meeting a young, new to the area fly fisher on the way out, who is now a new fishing buddy.
 
mcswny said:
You’re up @Brute , I’m sure you’ve got a good story.
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Sooo…I think my favorite trip is one I take every year which happens to be my favorite river…you cannot drive there, and years earlier I fished it by bike…but recently I found a local couple with a cabin they rent out and it comes with a beater van. Just swinging 10’ 4 & 5 wts with either a leech/soft hackle combo or streamers, and my 3 or 4wt with ants or dry/dropper…

It's not the most exotic of locations, nor are the fish the largest of places I go to...but the serenity, lack of fishing pressure and the sheer beauty make it my favorite trip every year. I just booked my cabin a few days ago for early July after the high water...

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Brute said:
Sooo…I think my favorite trip is one I take every year which happens to be my favorite river…you cannot drive there, and years earlier I fished it by bike…but recently I found a local couple with a cabin they rent out and it comes with a beater van. Just swinging 10’ 4 & 5 wts with either a leech/soft hackle combo or streamers, and my 3 or 4wt with ants or dry/dropper…

It's not the most exotic of locations, nor are the fish the largest of places I go to...but the serenity, lack of fishing pressure and the sheer beauty make it my favorite trip every year. I just booked my cabin a few days ago for early July after the high water...

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Damn, sounds like a dream.
 
Man…last year was probably the best fishing year of my life. I didn’t fish as many days as I have in some years but the quality of the trips and the people I was blessed to fish with made it incredibly memorable. I was also fortunate to T-bone some of the best water/weather conditions I could imagine.

The hi-lights included fishing the spring creek that started it all for me. I fished it with my childhood best friend and my oldest son. My son caught one of legendary fish that live in this little ditch. IMG_6693.jpegIMG_6700.jpeg
The irony of that trip was it was the only “crappy” day of fishing all year. I believe that big fish was one of 3 landed all day and the weather bas brutal that day. My friend was almost as excited for my son as he was. My son is an old soul and loves to listen to the old stories of my past, especially when told by my friends.

There was another amazing day that happened with a couple of dudes I had never fished with before. They are guys I have met since moving to Idaho. They are both life long locals and they were VERY skeptical when I told them where were going that day. Neither one of them wanted to come right and say it but I sensed it and they both admitted it on our way out that night. They both said it was the best day of dryfly fishing either one of them had ever imagined…it was pretty ridiculous. We didn’t catch any giants that day but the eats, the quality, and number of fish will be hard to top. IMG_7298.jpegIMG_0798.jpegIMG_0798.jpegIMG_7298.jpeg
The epic day ended with the discovery of a winter kill bull that I gladly packed out. These guys are both younger guys with small kids at home so their days on the water are limited. I remember those days so I really wanted the trip to be memorable. We didn’t get back to town until 1:00 am the next morning😂. Their wives might not let them go with me again but we got our money’s worth!
 
I mostly fish alone, with just a couple long time buddies left in other states we're lucky enough to get a trip or two in/year. I was fortunate this year to spend alot of time out here on various streams spring, summer and fall hiking the gravel bars and thru the timber and brush. Even though it can be crowded I managed to seek out and find plenty of solitude and fresh water mostly just by being creative and unorthodox and burning some calories. The fishing was pretty solid even off peak.
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These are all great stories. I have one or two I would like to share.

Was lucky enough to be on Farquhar Atoll earlier this year in March. There had been a few 100+ cm GT's caught by fellow anglers. I had hooked eight, but only landed 4. I started out with a 65cm, then a 70cm, a 75cm and painfully lost a 100+ cm very dark and slab of a GT that was with a nurse shark. Don't you just hate when the guide adds insult to injury and pours salt in the wound by saying," Holy Shit, that was a big trophy fish"..!!!...like I didn't feel the pain already...!!
We got down to literally the last 2 hours of the last day and I was blind casting ( not afraid to admit it....might as well keep trying right.?) over some big coral heads when I get a chase by a good midsize Geet( maybe 75 to 80cm). It was about to open its mouth when literally from underneath the boat came this toad and inhaled the fly. We were both like...OMG...holy sheeet....!! Now, I cleared the line and settled in for battle with it now peeling line like crazy. I thought, I cannot get on that plane tomorrow if I don't land this fish...I will be beside myself. Well, we land this fish with knees shaking( we've all been there) and then he measures it......98cm.....like are you sure..?? Measure it again......98cm. I say, look, no-one will ever know..LOL what's 2 cm....? We stuck with the 98cm and celebrated back at the lodge.

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Fishing on The St Mary River with my wife is always a pleasure. In fact, I get more satisfaction watching her excitement of catching a fish. Not too mention the scenery.

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Finally, catching a personal best about 20 yards from the boat launch in the last couple casts of the on the last day of a 3 day trip.

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albula said:
Two in particular. A incredible trip to an island off the coast of Belize for bonefish, tarpon and permit with my girlfriend of two years, who I dearly love, where I very nearly proposed before reality set in and I remembered that she was 37 years younger than I. And the creative seat of the pants trip north of the Arctic Circle in Norway that I told the story of here.
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One in particular - ha ha only had one trip in 2024. I missed all of spring fishing due to rotator cuff surgery in Feb. I worked my way back to be in shape for a 3 week Sept/Oct trip to the Rocky Mtns. Nothing compares to catching a trout on a dry fly after not casting for a year. The fishing was stellar but the connections with old and new friends made the trip truly special and memorable.
 
It was definitely hooking and losing the largest fish I’ve ever connected with, a big ass tuna. Another one that got away that I will never ever forget.

Matt B

Non-Fly Thread 'Que làstima; Costa Rica offshore day 1 report'

As per the yhooszsh, I could not sleep for crap the night before a guided trip. The hot room (no A/C at our rental, but there is a private pool I skinny dipped in at 5am) and the howler monkeys just out my window didn’t help me sleep either. It sounded like they were IN the room with me. Supposedly the second loudest mammal on earth after the blue whale according to a couple Costa Rican tour guides.

After a small adventure finding the meet up spot, asking directions three times from non-English speakers (and my Español sucks), and driving the rental RAV4 on the beach to save some time, I...
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My first steelhead as part of a 6/7 nymphed steelhead on a cold day on the Methow is up there (https://pnwflyfishing.com/forum/index.php?threads/run-gun.9104/). Being at a popular spring East side lake with my buddies and seeing the lazy rod’s (cast out the back as I fish into the reeds) line swing under the boat being dragged by a 24” football or fishing the Mo’ at Craig with my brother, first time we’d trout fished together for trout in 15 odd yrs. And of course just going fishing with my friends. I’m so lucky to have fishing buddies who are just the best to fish and hangout with.

My new phone doesn’t let me upload pics….I am due you all a trip report re Craig.

Dave
 
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