Stocked trout day

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Went out today to a nearby local creek which was recently stocked with brown trout.  Used ultra light tackle - 4# test floro line, size 12 hook and 6' sst okuma ultralight rod.  Caught about a dozen (size between 8- 12", although a bigger one came unhooked after taking a swipe at my bait) drifting salted emerald shiners, all of which went back immediately.  Took a picture of one shown below.  A fun day catching for me, however, the best part was that my wife's friend caught her first fish.

This was a thrill for her as she took some Orvis fly fishing lessons last fall and bought a fly fishing outfit and several different flies.  She has practiced casting in different areas for the last few weeks and went out with no luck.  She called my wife and asked if I could show her some spots.  I took her out today and initially she was throwing a floating fly and getting nothing.  I looked at what she had in her kit and she had something with a gold bead on the front and white feathers on the hook.  I told her to cast that into the pool and twitch it across as if it was a fleeing minnow.  I went over to a spot about 30 yards away and was fishing away when I heard her scream out that she had one on.  I rushed over to her and netted the fish.  What a miracle, she caught her first fish.  She had never even held a live fish in her hands - I took a picture using her phone so she could show the people in her fly fishing group.    She was so thrilled and it was good to see that.  She only caught the one, but it reinvigorated her and she is exciting to go out again.

[TnRiver46]

Nice job paying it forward, I bet she enjoyed that. Nice brown too

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She did enjoy it. There is definitely a learning curve with the fly fishing thing, and patience is a much needed virtue.  I really respect those that do it, however, it's not for me.  I guess all the effort that goes into it makes catching a fish all the more rewarding.

Would have attached her picture, but did not feel right doing that without permission.  She had a hold of that little trout with one hand, as if she was holding onto the handle bar on a bike.  Hopefully she will get the thrill of catching more in the future.

[everythingthatswims]

If you are releasing them, best to photograph on the net or in a wet hand. Grass is rough on a trout, they aren't the toughest critters out there. Nice fish!

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Yes, I do know; good to be reminded, however.  That fish in the picture was one that I caught and showed to the gal that was fly fishing, who wanted to see one up close.  Went back within seconds of the picture being taken.

 

If you look at most of the pictures that I post (as in my avatar picture), the fish is in the water when the picture is taken.  If a picture is taken out of the water; it's usually on the side of my kayak and is put back within seconds.  You can look at a recent post of mine on the topic - Help with Trout fishing - and the picture is of a fish actually immersed in the water.

 

 You are a good ambassador for the sport of fishing, and I thank you for the reminder. It is good receive helpful advice and others can also get this advice and remember to be careful with whatever fish they catch, whether it be trout or even bass.