Today’s post is the second
installment of the Logjam post from last week. I knew last Tuesday when I kept
losing all those better trout on the Sipsey I would be making another trip to
try to redeem myself. I am one of those fishermen who dissect every trip I
make. I left the tailrace Tuesday wondering why I lost more trout than I
landed. I surmised it came down to fly rods. My 3 weight just didn’t have the
backbone needed to really set the hook as opposed to using a heavier fly rod
such as my 4 weight.
I thought I was completely
prepared for today’s outing. I wanted to film some of the action today, so I
brought along my Contour Video camera. My first rainbow of the afternoon
inhaling my nymph right after I stepped off the metal steps into the waters;
camera-ready so I reach up on top of my helmet to flip the switch on. Nothing
was happening, after repeated tries, reached in my front pocket and used my
camera to record the last part of the action. I need to remember to charge the
Contour camera even when it is not in use. The uncharged camera was the only
downer for today’s trip.
I discovered these small
plants scattered all over the tailrace. All the plants were less than 10 inches
tall. They were covered with tiny lavender buds, with leaves similar to a
rubber plant. It is a hardy plant because when the generators are running all
are covered with the frigid 57-degree water for hours. I am thinking of digging
one up and transplanting it in our yard at home.
I like to think this is
one of the better rainbows that I lost on Tuesday. Dropping a nymph at least 3
feet deep in fast water got his attention. The colors on this trout were more vivid
than most I land.
I continue to be amazed that
I am landing trout like this in the Deep South , especially in Alabama !!