Big Fish - by Jay Forrest

About two months ago I received a copy of Big Trout: How and Where to Target Trophies by Bernie Taylor. This is a pretty good book. Bernie’s definition of a “big trout” is a brown or rainbow over eight pounds, a cutthrout over five, and a brookie over four. Fish this large definitely qualify as big trout. And fishing for them is different – they generally didn’t get that big by behaving like smaller trout and they are usually piscivorous – meaning they eat fish. If big trout are your thing, this book is definitely worth looking into. It will give you a great deal of insight into when, where, and how to fish for large trout.

Looking through the book raised a broader topic for me though – that of large fish…in general. I don’t really think I have met a fisherman yet who doesn’t enjoy catching a big fish. For beginners a “big fish” often becomes a sort of “holy grail.” Whether it be a bass or a sunfish, a trout or a tarpon, the fisherman begins trying to catch a fish that qualifies as BIG. Several observations may be helpful to those who are still pursuing their first BIG fish.

First and foremost, to catch big fish you need to fish where there are big fish – and preferably a good number of big fish. If you have set a target of catching a ten pound rainbow, you need to go where there is a reasonable population of ten pound rainbows. While there may be ten pound rainbows in the Guadalupe, it simply doesn’t offer good odds. So the first step is to do some research and find out where fish of the size you desire are found – in reasonable numbers.

Next you need to know what fish of that size and species eat and where they are found in the water you intend to fish. Big fish often feed on larger bait than their smaller kin. And they may be found deeper and be less likely to come to the surface. And they may be more cautious and spooky. To catch big fish you usually need to present them with a suitable fly at a appropriate depth, with proper action. Anything else and you probably might as well be fishing in a swimming pool.

If you are sight fishing, you will probably take the fly away from the fish. Or strike too late, or too early, or…too hard – and break the tippet. But finally you get it right and hook a big fish and now is when things really get interesting. All those bad habits you have picked up come to haunt you. The loose line you drop at your feet tangles. You step on the fly line. The fly line loops around the base of the rod. The fly line slips out of your hand and the line goes free. Your reel overspins and backlaches (yes it CAN happen with fly reels and it is personal experience). Your two year old 6X tippet that was rated at 2.5 pounds is only good for 1.2, 0.6 with the wind knot you had in it.

Almost no one lands their first big fish – at least not gracefully. Even if your bad habits don’t get to you, big fish simply don’t fight like small fish. They are much more likely to move to cover and obstacles to cut you off, or rub the hook on bottom trying to get it out. Or simple leave in such a rush that your drag, and finger pressure are too much and the leader breaks. Or, if it is a REALLY BIG FISH, it may not even act like it is hooked at all. And convincing a really big fish that he IS hooked can be a very interesting fishing experience.

The key, I think, is to follow the advice I first heard from Gary Borger, “Treat all fish as though they are big fish.” Get every fish on the reel. Don’t just haul them in by stripping with your line hand. Get used to handling the line and keeping it clear. And try to get some experience with larger fish so you will have some idea how much stress you can put on a 5X tippet. I vividly recall fishing for trout and losing several “large” fish in the two to three pound range. The hook kept either pulling out or the leader broke. I did not know if the hooks were not being set well, were too small, or were dull, or if the leader was bad or I was pulling too hard…. I was very confused.

Shortly thereafter I went to the San Juan and caught thirty fish over two pounds in two days on size 22 to 26 nymphs and 6X tippet. I learned that I could put reasonable pressure on a well-hooked fish on good tippet – much more pressure than I had put on many similar fish that I had lost. Thereafter when I have lost fish, I knew it was not the hook size or that I was pulling too hard. The lesson was important and has served me well since.

And finally, when you catch a big fish…treat him well. Give him a chance to live by handling him carefully with wet hands – if at all. And don’t keep him out of the water any longer than necessary. And remember where you caught him so you can visit him next time you pass through!