The Ultra lighter side of life

As the fog rises off the sheet glass water, a loon calls in the distance, the sun breaks the horizon as if to tell the angler "good morning you are in for a great day of fishing." Alas I would like to say my mornings were that perfect every time I went out, but alas we all know that ain't true. My day started off like every other day on the water for me. Meet up with some fellow WCO members (Tom drew the short straw today ;) ) at the previously decided spot, hit the water, catch fish (or I should say hope to catch fish). Today though was a little different for me. I was on a mission. I was playing Captain Ahab. I was chasing my white whale, given my white whale is bronze and didn't take my leg. For those of you at a loss as to what I'm talking about, smallmouth. Yes, smallmouth. That is the one fish that has eluded me all season this year. Every chance I have gotten on the river I have either A. got skunked or B. ended up chasing something more toothy. So my day had only one goal, BOAT A DAMN SMALLIE!

Now having way more control than ol' Ahab I looked for something to focus more of obsession towards. I decided to try the ultra light challenge. For those of you that don't know what this is I'll break it down for you.

Rod: Ultra light action rod in the 4-5.5' range
Line: 2-4# test. normally mono. (cheated slightly, used 4# braid)
Baits: Lures and jigs 1/64-1/4oz

As you can see small, oh so small. So armed with my 5' UL and a handful of some small jigs and lures the ultra light challenge was on. Now I'm no stranger to tackling large fish on lighter than normal tackle, but I would be lying if I said I was hoping to land a monster. In reality I was just wanting to catch some fish. A toad would be nice, but I wasn't completely sure my equipment or I for that matter could handle it.

So Tom and I launched, paddled up river a bit to a nice riffle. We both beached the kayaks and did a little wading. Working a Teeny Pop-R I quickly decided this bait isn't cutting it. I grab what tiny tackle box I had brought and tied on the smallest Chatter Bait they make. I tipped it with the closest thing to a crawdad I had which was a brown curly tail grub. First cast into the definition of a perfect eddy line and BAM! Now of course I'm thinking smallie. I mean it was textbook location. Oh how much to my dismay to have pulled in those lovely pit pulls of the river a rock bass. Quickly released and went back at it. After a few more hook ups of rock bass and an over zealous largemouth a slight funk come over me. Am I going to go bust again on smallmouth? Am I destined to go all season for one?  At this point is were Ahab and I are one. I continued to completely and probably overly worked that riffle. Then suddenly a thump on the line, fish on. Thinking great another rock bass, then the tall tale sign I was waiting for all morning, the acrobatics of a smallie. Finally my dry spell is over. I have never been so glad to catch a fish. It wasn't big, or average size for that matter. But it was the first smallmouth of the season. It can only get better from there.

The day went on with both Tom and I boating some more fish, including 2 nice catfish Tom managed to get. With the take out in sight I think that not only did I take on the ultra light challenge (which I will take on again in the near future), but I also ended an 8 month slump. Until next time. Tight Lines.