Every Wednesday evening I fish with the club. Last night I arrived at our fishing location a little earlier than normal. I was the only one there, so I waded up and hiked down the hill to the river.
Now everyone knows you should skip the first water you come to, since it is often over fished and fish are smarter than to hang out where fishermen are constantly stomping in and out. Well..not always the case!
When I fish alone I often hear a little voice that thinks she is a better fishermen than I...the voice said" fish that run, right by that stump" I rolled my eyes and conceded to the idea. I tied on a Chartruse Shenandoah Chugger, size 4 popper and made a cast just above the stump, slowly popping it as I stripped around the stump. Nothing, cast again, exactly the same spot, this time two hard pops and then just let it sit, BAM! A gorgeous smallie slams the popper and comes flying out of the water, jumping and twirling. I quickly saw this was not the normal smallie for this stretch of the White River, and I quickly moved out away from all the timber to avoid snagging the fish around a log. I got him out in the clear where he displayed yet another acrobatic performance, my little voice inside my head said: " whoo-hoooo...Holy Shit Patti..this is an awesome fish!"
I landed him and quickly measured him at 19 inches, I then layed him on the river bank and photographed him. Without proof my buddies would have raised an eye brow at my story!
Listen to your little voice inside your head..sometimes she "reely" is a better fishermen!
