That was a fun, but rather unfortunate day. Jake wasn't his usual self, and bamboo guy was pretty much unable to fish due to getting sick and some hand issues.
Still, we made the best of it and put some nice fish in the boat. Everyone who was able to get a cast out hooked at least a couple. I actually managed to hook 11 casting, but only landed 4 of them. Have been fishing some squid patterns lately that I tied on a wim a couple years ago and while they have been getting it done, I've been dropping a lot of fish on them. They're tied on an Ahrex hook but I can't remember which model. It's a lighter hook and the point tends to get messed up easily, and I think they aren't quite the right size for the Spawn head I tied with them and the hook gap isn't what I'd like it to be with the head. I think this accounts for the lost fish. I'll be tying a bunch more next time I can get to the vise, but likely on a shank or with a different hook. I've been having a ton of fun focusing on squid though. I've been fishing a brown/tan version and an orange version and both have done some serious work. Actually had an orange one meet it's maker today. After landing around the 20th albacore over the last few days, Cal noticed the Spawn head was broke in half and the fly was in shreds lol. It also hooked and lost probably 20 other fish, so 40ish times it was smashes by an albie before it bit the dust. Fitting end for a fly in my book!
Cal hooked, then lost his first fly cast albacore today. He's totally hooked and is already making plans to buy a fly outfit. He wouldn't stop talking about the grab all night
The fish have been biting trolled flies very well, and will eat a well presented cast fly quite well, but then they seem to shift into casual mode and while they'll stick with us they are much tougher to catch. It's been fun watching them though even when they stopped biting.
For the record, it was 17 landed today including the one Cal found hiding in the fish box. At least per his count, and I trust him. Jake is just being modest
Not bad all things considered.
That bamboo rod was something else. I was terrified, honored, and a bit guilty when he asked me to do him a favor and catch a fish on it since he wasn't able to fish. I was nervous even holding that thing. It's likely worth more than my first born child. It took me way too many casts to even remotely figure it out...been probably twenty years since I've touched bamboo, but I did start to get the feel for it and managed to hook a fish on it briefly but lost it before I could really see what it could do.
This was my 4th fly trip in a row, and it's been damn fun. Number 5 tomorrow.
This side of the fly doesn't look terrible
But the opposite side tells a different story lol
Brown/tan version
