Thursday, February 29, 1996

Hope River; St. Jacob’s River

We had on up pretty early (after a tad too much wine, beer and scotch last night) – the headwaters of the Hope turn into the St. Jacob’s River, up from the Kiwi River, a small tributary. We spot 3 fish fairly early, and I seem quite unable to get the cast in the right spot. River gets pretty broken and jumbly after that, and we spot no more fish – Head back down by the Museum Hot where I spook an absolute torpedo; next pool up there are about ˝ doz. fish fucking around. I blast away without success (although “wrist action” seems to help a lot, I later learn) so we decide to experiment with a fish that’s hung around after being moved high and low by myself. We tie on some “Mirage” tippet, and Bob’s taking a few casts at the trout. Naturally, the bug goes into the right place, the fist eats the bug, and 12 ˝ lbs. later, I get some super shots (I hope) of this massive fish. Thank God I didn’t fuck up the netting deal. Unbelievable fish; made the day fer sher – turns out this 27” football is the biggest brown Bob’s ever caught! Run into local guide and client from Denver with 2 black labs on way out.