As an angler, some days are better than others. Some days you
can make the fish bite and some days you can't. The same goes for being a
guide. Some days I arrive at a fishing spot to get ready for my clients and I
just have a feeling that it's going to be a good day. Other days I feel like
I'm about to embark on a disaster due to weather or difficult clients. My most
recent pike charter was one for the scrap book, and the record book.
The trip began like most. The wind
was calm, but the water was about 8' low. Low water makes pike fishing tough
for me, because this time of year the fish are shallow. We are often sight
fishing for them on just a few feet of water. Water that is 8' low leaves the
usual spots high and dry.
My fall trips are trophy trips. We
aren't looking for numbers of fish, but the big females that are feeding to
prepare for winter. As we made our way across the water I gave Jay and Diego my
usual pep talk about fishing for one fish at a time and not giving up if they
experience hours of casting with no fish.
Spot number one was an area that has
produced a fish every trip, but that wouldn't be the case this time. I decided
to fish our way down the same shore line to a prominent point before heading to
another area. One cast turned into ten, and then into 50, and still no action,
which isn't uncommon. As we rounded the point Diego, who was in the front of
the boat, decided to switch side. Jay continued fishing the inside. I no sooner
finished thinking that I wanted him to cast in a spot than his lure landed in
that exact spot, but nothing.
Jay made another cast and a few seconds
later I saw his rod bounce. "That was a bite," I said. Then I watched
as Jay's rod slowly began to bend. "Set the hook," I said. "You've got
a fish on." Jay set the hook and we watched in amazement as a giant pike
gracefully rose to the surface and swam straight at the boat. Jay steered
the massive fish out from under the boat, around in a circle, and into my
landing net.
The massive pike was the largest ever
caught by me or any of my clients. The fish measured 43" long and
qualified for the NH Trophy Fish Catch and Release program. Weight estimations based on length and girth put the massive fish around 22 pounds. After many high
fives and a handful of photos we watched as the big female swam away as if
nothing had happened. It was a day I will never forget, and neither will Jay or
Diego.
The release.
