Dam Fish

Launched at my place at 10:30 and drifted down to Mem. Beach water looked great its only a mile so I covered the water pretty good 5 hours for 1 swing and a miss. When I was pulling my boat out I saw a big fish roll right behind the bridge support. I figured its only 3:30 so I paddle back out and position myself in the middle of the river and start casting a Brad's right behind the support about the 20th cast the lure stops I set and no movement snag nope I can feel the fish swimming. Cool big fish I can't move it and it slowly moves out to the main current oh crap I'm really close to the dam, but he is coming up thats good, he rolls I can't see him but I hear a "Holy Crap Thats a big fish" from somebody watching from the bridge. Then he turns downstream and I try everything pressure, slack I can't stop him he rolls about 5' from the dam and shoots across and the line just goes limp I don't think he went over just got hung on some crap by the dam . I'm shaking pretty good as I tie on anther Brads rear back for another cast snag my anchor line big birds nest. .
Still a great day but I should know better than to fish there. you can see in the pict how close I was (300') the guys fishing below me are fishing in the closed zone. Just wondering if I'm fishing outside the closed zone 250' from a fish ladder and the fish runs inside the zone is it legal? Hitting Dry Creek tomorrow the drift boats got 1/2 fish per boat today.

Damm

 So Sorry Mr. MickFish...

  Sounds like it was a Hawg

Sorry to hear about the heartbreak...those are tough times.

Mike-

That's a beaut... of a bird's nest. Too bad about that big one that got away. I totally feel for you though. I've had that happen to me before... you get a big one and you can't turn it... then, snap... the worse feeling in the world.

I'm still looking for steelie number 1... I've gotta hook up with you this season.

Freddie

Thanks guys no worries I'm over it if you landed them all it wouldn't be any fun.

Damn!

Heartbreaker Mike. Hope his runnin' buddy is there for you tomorrow. Good luck!

sorry to hear that, mickfish... but good think you didn't go over the dam.  that would be very very bad...
I wanna go w/ you again, but I gotta repair the powler 13...
good luck tomorrow!!!

I wanna go w/ you again, but I gotta repair the powler 13... 

What did you do to it?

 At least you hooked up Mickey! In marginal conditions too! Man I wish that button pusher in Sac. would get a clue......

I've never done it, but THAT still broke my heart....seeing it, then getting it, only to loose it, must have been a rollercoaster of emotions and adrenaline rushes....and ready to do it ALL again is the spirit!
Thanks for the pic&port Mike!

Nice bird's nest...aka Professional Overrun...aka The Clusterf*ck!

That's a heck of a heart break. But what makes it a dang fish is also what makes them so desirable. I wouldn't have it any other way! Good report!

That birds nest is EXACTLY why I bought 2 new spinning outfits before CHUB and I hit Clear Lake. I didn't miss a single minute of fishing trying to get my reel untangled. I am getting rid of my 'birds nest reels' and going with what I used when I was 6 years old. Good old spinning outfits instead of baitcast reels. I will of course keep my open faced reels. For some reason I don't nest 'em up like I do the baitcast.
Too bad about the missed fish. Always next time.

good to hear you got out, I did get out sunday myself for a few perch casts, small new beach, couple hits, no landed. two guys nearby hooked up little guys on baited hooks. always nice to try a new beach, one that I know has fish from time to time.