Broad and Reel

My boyfriend Justin always says for every 1,000 casts you catch one awesome fish. Well the fish in the second picture of my header is my 1,000 cast fish.

I caught the rainbow trout at the beginning of my second year of fly fishing. At that time, it’s apparent I was into the sport because I was definitely rocking my hot pink fly vest.

The start of fly fishing season is usually tough in PA because of the swollen muddy streams, and the Buffalo Creek was no different. We fished the stream all day and didn’t catch a thing…which is pretty unusual. No one else seemed to be catching anything either.

Toward the end of the day, I tied on a bright orange egg and just cast that egg to a spot that I hadn’t yet tried. After the egg hit the water, I remember thinking "Wow I’m finally starting to lay my fly exactly where I want it." Not even a minute later, a fish slammed my egg. There are some days when you debate if the fly got hung up on a weed or rock…but this time there was no question. Of course I yelled for my boyfriend, not really for help but I enjoy out catching him and catching the first fish of the day.

This fish felt huge to me. Justin told me to quit reeling him in like I had a steelhead hooked on 2lb test. I told him that I was in no way exaggerating.

Four or five guys gathered around…probably drawn to the fact that the girl in the pink vest actually hooked a fish. Once they were there I knew I couldn’t lose the fish.

One guy actually commented on my patience with the fish…he said the fish would’ve snapped off already.

Who knows how long I fought the fish…all I know is that it was fun and I’ll probably never forget it.

That day I didn’t have my camera with me (Murphy’s Law) but luckily one of the nice men watching had a camera phone and actually sent me the picture. I posted the picture below…not great quality but I’m thankful he had his camera phone.

Oh and by the way, Justin got skunked that day