We started the trip with Aaron and Ryan nymph fishing and I started throwing a hopper and dropper (grass hopper pattern with a nymph below). Aaron is definitely the master of nymph fishing as he landed 8 fish using this method - not any real size to the fish but he definitely had the concept down, it's just a matter of putting in the time to get the big one. Ryan had a number of hookups with the nymph fishing as well but couldn't get them to hand. He had some hookups as well using a BWO (blue winged olive) but couldn't get hooked up with any of those either. Both guys casting improved as the trip progressed, that's for sure. I turned a few fish with the hopper - dropper pattern to start the trip but didn't get anything hooked up until we came to Alligator Alley. This will forever be one of my favorite runs of the PM as I landed my first two 20" trout here. The first was a 20" brown and the second was a 20" rainbow. Both of these fish came on a "Amy's Ant" hopper pattern and Brad (our guide) was nice enough to give me the fly to be officially retired. The fly is now a permanent fixture in my fly fishing hat... Here are the pics of the first two bruisers:
We fished a few more spots, had some dinner (grilled chicken breast, rice, and a salad), and then began the waiting game until night fall. Once it was good and dark, we started our mousing adventure down the river. Brown trout feed mainly at night and believe it or not, mice are something they won't pass up. Mice will be cruising around the shore of the river and occasionally, they will fall in and that's when Mr. Brown Trout gets aggressive and has them for a late night snack. Since Ryan struck out during the day, he was the first at bat. He turned a few fish that didn't get hooked up and then it finally happened for him.
Aaron was up next, and if I recall, he caught this dandy on his first few attempts.
Then it was my turn, and I got this brute. My third 20" trout for the day!
Ryan was up next again and unfortunately, didn't hook up again despite rolling a number of fish. The guide made 2 or 3 casts at the very end of the trip and ended up getting this nice brown. In total I think we rolled 12 fish mousing and landed 4 - the guys with 3 and the guide with 1.
It was definitely an awesome trip on the river. It only fed my addiction to fly fishing even more and I can't wait to get back out on the PM. If you see Joani, you should tell her I really need my own drift boat so I can take my friends (and her and Riley) out on our own.
By the way, the only problem we encountered during the trip was at the end of it. Aaron and I did not bring our phones with us on the trip and we had some emails and voicemails from Joani and Rachael. Apparently wives don't expect fishing trips to last until 2:00 in the morning. Well, I guess they know now! Or we'll just bring our phones next time...
