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Dr. Eddie Johnson and Bob Smalley had heard the tales of
Louisiana fly fishing. They perceived them as myth, the stories
were way too wild for any reasonable person to believe. But
still curious to find out for themselves they booked a trip.
Filled with anticipation and exuberant excitement they headed
south on their three and one half hour trip from Jackson,
Ms.
Arriving at the hotel the night before, they called the captain
to talk over the weather. The report was encouraging. The
fronts had blown through and tomorrow was to be blue bird
and calm.
Finally, after weeks of waiting, the tales would either be
validated or filed with the rest of the myths.
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The day started just as the weather man predicted.
We arrived at the launch in time for day break and immediately
launched the skiff and made our way south. The orange glow
of the early morning sunrise was beautiful and provided a
much welcomed warmth to the chilly night air. We ran for miles
as the captain steered the skiff through bayou after bayou.
The bayous eventually ended. After the bayous we ran from
pond to pond and then finally into open water. As the ponds
gave way to open waters the skiff slowed and the captain scanned
the open expanses searching out our prey.
After a brief pause the captain gunned the motor and set
a straight course for a distant point on the south side of
the open bay. The winds were calm, making the ride across
the bay pleasurable. Our anticipation and excitement could
be controlled no longer. The jitters were kicking in big time
as the captain slowed the skiff to an idle about 100 yards
off the point.
As we idled in we were told that stealth would make or break
the day. The captain said, "you can breath, but only
if you have to". He smiled as he said it, but we understood
that any motion or noise would seriously hinder our efforts
to catch the big one. Way before reaching the point the captain
killed the motor and climbed the poling platform.
The first man up took the deck and prepared to cast. Being
poled through fish infested waters is an experience that goes
way beyond words. It's something one must experience to fully
understand. The mystique of searching for giant fish in shallow
salty waters is plenty enough to make your hair stand on end.
Just the thought of seeing one of those giants laying on the
bottom is enough to make a person tremble.
It wasn't long before they began to show up
The captain told us to prepare as we approached a small cove
about 200 feet from where he started poling. And sure enough,
as we reached the cove the captain blurted out. "OK,
there he is. 2:30 Moving right to left. Thirty feet off the
boat." As I looked to my right, I saw something slowly
moving in the water, near the bottom. It looked like a log,
but the log was moving. The captain shouted, that's him.
Cast, Cast!
I guess in the broadest sense of the word the motions could
have been called a cast. But the line didn't fall near the
fish because it was too busy getting wrapped around the caster.
I watched the fish slowly swim into oblivion as the caster
struggled to free himself of the fly line. Disappointed and
fully frustrated with his less that stellar performance, and
all the while having to listen to the captains laugh, as he
shouted out, "that is what sight fishing is all about.
Like the Wide World of Sports, the Thrill of Victory or the
Agony of Defeat." His next statement was much more reassuring.
He told us not to worry that we would have many opportunities
like that before the day was over.
The captain was correct. Many opportunities were to come.
The skies were blue and the sun was bright. The surface of
the water glistened like a polished mirror. God had surely
seen fit to shine his good fortune upon us this day. Several
fish under 9 pounds had been boated and released, but the
best of the day was still to come…
Dr. Eddie Johnson, known to his friends as Dr. J. was on
deck when the magic moment began. Having missed a number of
opportunities for giants, he was more determined than ever
to take a giant Redfish over 20 pounds with his fly rod. Dr.
J. had caught Reds before, but never sight fishing with a
fly.
All of sudden, out of no where he appeared
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Slowly swimming in water less that 2 feet
deep, was a huge Redfish. This time, filled with determination,
he cast his fly with speedy accuracy. The fly fell perfect.
Strip, Strip, Strip, then stopping to let it sink for
a while. Then one more ever so slight strip, when all
of a sudden the huge fishes gills flared and the captained
shouted with uncontrollable excitement. "Hit em,
Hit em, Hit em". With a deliberate strip strike the
fish was on and the fight had begun.
The giant of a fish struggled for its life, not knowing
we planned to release it
After battling the fish for some time, it finally gave
in and allowed us to net it. The fish weighed in at
23.5 pounds. After posing a few moments for pictures
we safely returned it to the water. Watching a magnificent
fish like this one swim free was the second most memorable
event of the day for the doctor.. Click
here to read Dr. J's letter, describing in his own words
the events of the day.
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Immediately after Dr. J. breaks his rod, Big Bob spots the
largest fish of the day.
No one, including the captain can contain their enthusiasm.
This fish is spotted 25 feet off the boat and looks larger
than life and Bob makes the perfect cast. The giant waste
no time consuming the offering. The hook is set and the contest
begins. Unable to convert Bob to fly tackle, Bob finds himself
dancing with a monster Redfish with a flimsy rod and a tiny
Mitchell 300 strung with 8 pound test. The captain seems worried,
wondering if the equipment is up to the task. The drag on
the tiny reel is rough and unsmooth. The rod jerks and the
reel squeals as the drag slips and binds, slips and binds.
The captain if frantic. The fish lunges for deep water and
the captain is quick to pursue. The battle is nerve racking
and everyone on board prays for a quick and successful fight.
There is too much to loose should this trophy break free.
The face of God continues to shine on us
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After several attempts to net the giant, we are finally
successful. Bob, a man large in statue, stands trembling
like a child. The emotions combined with adrenaline
can be overwhelming at moments like this. This was definitely
The Thrill of Victory. We weighed the fish with a 30
pound scale and it immediately bottomed out. Everyone
on the boat conservatively estimated the giant's weight
at 38.5 pounds. To tell the truth it may have exceeded
40. But that part of the tale will remain a mystery.
Two boys from Mississippi came skeptics and left believers.
The lives of everyone on board that day were forever
changed. The sounds, smells, and sights are indelibly
imprinted in our minds and will remain forever in our
hearts.
It is absolutely fantastic to be on the open water
when the Face of God is shining down from above.
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May the face of God forever shine upon you and your
families,
Capt. Dan
Time spent on the water ends ever so quickly,
thought the memories continue to surface for a lifetime |
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