Well my season has started off pretty slow with 9 trips and 0 hookups so far, but I had a good feeling about today because last year it took me 10 trips before I was into my first fish.
After 9 fishless trips on the lower river I decided to concentrate my efforts on the upper part for the first time this year. First spot I stopped had no cars so I shuffled down to the river and took a few casts, moments later three others appeared from the bushes, wanting to fish with some solitude today I left the run got back in the truck. Next spot, no cars, water looked great and similar to the last run after a couple casts another group of anglers appeared, not discouraged I got in the truck and headed to my third spot. This spot I had never fished before and after a bit of bushwacking I poked my head through the trees and noticed a prime piece of water just down stream. After a slow walk over the ice covered rocks I arrived and a VERY fishy looking piece of gin clear water.
Sitting well back from the edge I baited my rod and started tossing casts to the head of the run, on the fourth cast I looked down river at a bird for a moment only to look back to see that my float had vanished. After a quick jerk of the rod something silver flashed in the top of the pool and the fight was on, as it tired and got close to the bank I notice its a hatchery so I step into the river and try and land it between two boulders, well I grab the tail and its flips and flops and is back into the river heading for the other side. At this point I curse myself at the feeble landing attempt and more a less write the fish off, well I manage to calm it down, the hook stays in and on the second landing attempt I put the death grip on its tail and pull the 12lb hatchery beauty onto the bank
![Grin ;D](http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Just as I am filling out my license two other anglers start walking in, I wish them luck and head on my way very happy to finally get into some action.
![](http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/60/660/3/95/74/2436395740099123620bDCICF_th.jpg)
It was sunny and very cold out there today, but the water is in great shape.