As some of you already know, I am leaving Canada on August 28th for a teaching position in Yokohama, Japan. I've had little time for fishing what with all the preparations for my departure. So, Bobfly contacts me and forces me to go fishing last Wednesday...one last kick at the can in the Calabogie.
We hit a few trout lakes and were skunked - nothing, nada, bupkiss. In one lake, I sighted a large bass under a branch, so I tied on a bass popper. Now, I was fishing a 4-wt with sinking line, 4X leader, and 5X flourocarbon tippet, and barbless hook. (I was too lazy to switch to floating line). I tossed the popper just past the big fish. The damned thing turned, sniffed the popper, and inhaled it - FISH ON!
This thing was really strong taking line at will, but not going too far. I yelled at Bob to get closer because I didn't think I could land it alone. Frankly, I didn't think I'd land it at all. After a good 5 minute battle and several attempts at netting it, he scooped it up in hit little trout net.
The fish was my largest small mouth bass and it was fat as hell. The photo doesn't do justice to the gut or the shoulders on the thing. I didn't measure it accurately or weigh it, but it was +20 inches (approximately when placed on my float tube measure) and around +5 pounds.
The fish was live released after a brief photo opportunity. Thanks to Bobfly for his help in landing my personal best smallie!
