Two Days and Two Rivers

Last week was tough for me. I was very shocked and upset by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, gunned down while engaging in something that so many people don’t do: civil discourse. We have to figure out how to talk about issues we all disagree on without killing each other.

The day after that horrible event I had a smallmouth bass fly fishing float trip planned and, for a time, I wasn’t sure if I was going to go or not. Had a horrible night of sleep and was up at 230am wide awake.

Luckily for me, I was committed to going with my good friend Matt and showed up for the drive down to the New River. I have been hearing for years about how epic that fishery is and it was time (hopefully) to put it to the test.

Long story short, I caught the largest fish on a fly rod yet for myself. A 5lb 21” smallmouth that was an epic fight.

That was an absolute beast and the entire setup was amazing. We were in a small part of the bigger river kind of like a huge bathtub away from the faster water and in the shade. Matt got all tangled up and I had the hole to myself (sorry bud). A few casts in, I splatted the popper down and that smallie came up and smashed it.

Thankfully, it was so committed that even though I was late on the hookset, it stayed pinned.

Thats a picture of a 16.5” smallie on the measuring rack that I caught earlier.

Putting it mildly, I really liked my first real exposure to river smallmouth bass fly fishing and I will be back.

I also was able to get an hour or so on a local tailwater to go after some wild brown trout and had some success there as well.

Landed three and missed three in an hour and felt pretty good about the session.

I was glad that I took those two trips and am better for the time spent. Needed some good companionship and some alone time and got both.

Thankful for all of you and hope you all have the very best of days and lives.

Mike