Headed up into the foothills of the Alpine National Park on the weekend:
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At the base of this particular valley flows a gentle, pretty stream:
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There is one point where the stream flows hard up against the track, and is also undercut a little, providing an ever inviting opportunity to take a peak at what lives downstairs.
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I have noticed over this season one particular trout holding in the same spot on each time. I drop pack and take a look. Sure enough, the same fish is surface feeding. I unpack and assemble the 4 piece fly rod, and tie on a red tag like beetle pattern.
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I peer over the bank but the rainbow has moved off. Seeing some action a around the pool I however I choose to cast in regardless and see what happens. Doesn't take long before I am caught off guard and the fly disappears but I mis time the strike and fail to hook up. This happens a few more times so I conclude that perhaps I've forgotten how to correctly time the strike. On about the 6th attempt I watch the target trout rise to the surface, take the fly and turn down. The strike connects and after numerous leaps the rainbow is flapping on the grass.
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It is quickly returned to the water, the rod disassembled and I continue the march downriver....