[blue ridge angler]

very nice reporting..
congrats on that beast too..

[whichway]

great fish

[Scott Spencer]

You just had the kind of day we all dream of!! Superb report and photos!

[TDM713]

awesome report and beautiful fish!

[Mrs Teachrtec]

Very well written report.
great fish and pics too.

[troutfreak]

reminds me of a wild stream in Haywood County I fish alot. The further I go in the better and bigger the fish. But, I always get to this Fall that I cannot get around or find away around. Frustrating knowing more lis ahead, I just cant get to it.

[troutist]

Hey, great report and pictures! Now, here's the interesting part....so much for the theory of every coldwater fisheries biologists I've spoken with over the years that bows will not exceed 13 inches or live more than 3 yrs in a freestone mountain stream because they do not switch over to foriage fish from eating insects when they start to get larger like browns do. That makes your 17 incher even more surprising and satisfying. Of course, tailwaters are different as are streams running behind peoples houses that throw trout chow in every day. Your scenario certainly doesn't meet that criteria. So congrats on such a fine fish and proving the experts wrong!!!

[bluefish]

Originally Posted by troutist

Hey, great report and pictures! Now, here's the interesting part....so much for the theory of every coldwater fisheries biologists I've spoken with over the years that bows will not exceed 13 inches or live more than 3 yrs in a freestone mountain stream because they do not switch over to foriage fish from eating insects when they start to get larger like browns do. That makes your 17 incher even more surprising and satisfying. Of course, tailwaters are different as are streams running behind peoples houses that throw trout chow in every day. Your scenario certainly doesn't meet that criteria. So congrats on such a fine fish and proving the experts wrong!!!

LW,you mentioned the confidence that fish took with, having eaten the competition, knowing this fish was a meat eater at least some of the time. Though biologists have thier place, I love when good fisherman prove them to be off in thier thinking. That is one wonderful memory to have and you shared it very well. Thanks.
Charlie

[stealheaded]

Sweet fish. Even sweeter given the setting. Congrats.

[charflyfish]

Thanks for so eloquently sharing a great story. That is why we fish !