"Getting Jiggy With It" - Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

Ok...so that wasn't quite the "jiggy" I did yesterday.  Yes, the Damsel went "outside the box" yesterday...and learned something new.  The fly rod was put aside for just a few hours while the spin rod was put into action and placed into the pvc pipe on my float tube.  I know, I know...this is not a usual thing for me to do...but, when frustration happens like I have been feeling with my still water fishing lately, a call for change occurs...and I knew who could make me a believer of jigging with a spin rod.  My friend Craig.  A group of us left at 3:30 AM  yesterday in search of tiger trout, cutthroats, rainbows, and brookies in the Manti-La Sal National Forest.



One of the few roads that doesn't have road construction in Utah!

After 3 hours or so, we made it to our first destination.  Duck Fork Reservoir is located in a meadow near the head of a glacial valley in Ferron Canyon, high on the east side of the Wasatch Plateau...9500 ft high.  You can see the snow...so, while those in the Salt Lake Valley had a 90 degree day, we enjoyed the 70 degree temps...



Duck Fork Reservoir

The water was beautiful and clear.  The alpine setting was breathtaking!  I love my mountains.  That's why I live in Utah, truth be told.  So, we unloaded and set up the float tubes and journeyed out on our kicking adventure.  Tiger trout were abundant. My friends were catching awesome numbers.  Me, well, I was still waiting for my fly rod to come to life!!

This is beauty...

There were several lakes in the general area.  We moved on to Ferron Reservoir for a quick lesson in casting jigs.  Now, I wasn't quite sure how this was going to feel with a spin rod in my hand.  But, I was willing to learn, as I was finding that the fish were slow to go after the flies that I was putting out to them.  Jig casting...very easy technique and setup.  Ok...I was good with that!! : )  So then, we moved on to take a look at Willow Lake and Wrigley Springs...weren't quite impressed enough to fish there, so we got back on the road...



The Road To Happy Trout!!

 We arrived at Grassy Lake.  Rainbow, Tigers, and a surprise species!!  I was ready to test out my newly found skills as a spin caster...Ha.  The "jigging" was a success.  Some very "friendly" tigers and one with kind of sharp teeth...Did he really want me to leave the hook in his mouth???


Surprise!!  20 inch brown trout...Sorry, camera went into B/W mode by accident on a few pics!

"Incoming" was starting to be a common word...what great fishing to be had.  "Pop", "Reel"..."Pop", Reel" went through my head for the last part of the day.  I hooked into Tiger Trout and Rainbow Trout.  Then, came the surprise of the day...what in the world???

Holy ALBINO!!!  A nice, healthy 16 incher...My first!

It was hard to decide when it was time to leave...but, as dusk approached, we packed things up and headed home.  Nothing like getting home at almost midnight after a full day of fishing...Tired?  Yes....no.  My best day of still water fishing yet.  With a spin rod and a minnow...who would have thought that RD could be "converted" into a lake "spinner" gal!!   We had about 50 fish between us...wow. (Of course, my coach had the main part of that!) 

Holding the "golden" minnow...

 

So, my advice today would be to keep your mind open to new methods and ideas that might embellish your fishing knowledge and skills.  Don't think that one way is the best way.  It might be your "preferred" way to fish, but there are other techniques that can provide enjoyment on the water.  I never thought that I would be a Czech nympher on the river and now it looks like I might be holding that spin rod and "getting a little jiggy with it" on the still waters...All is well! As long as you are having fun...(And catching a few fish doesn't hurt either!)