The Angry Lunker

It began during a day hike with my family to a small lake just a few miles from our summer getaway in Lake Tahoe, California. The trail was short but steep, following a small brook which cascaded over wide granite slabs hurrying along its way down into Emerald Bay on Tahoe's southwestern rim. We stopped beneath a small waterfall to take a break and enjoy the splendid scenery. My cousin Moose had a fishing rod with him, and I watched as he pulled trout after trout from the churning whitewater in the pool beneath the falls. The fish seemed to materialize on his line, causing the fishing rod to spring to life, dancing with every jerk and head shake. I was amazed at the confidence and grace Moose displayed and I knew right then that I had to try fishing for myself. Soon after I was exploring similar streams and tributaries of Lake Tahoe and catching trout on my own. It didn't matter to me what size or species they were. I wanted to catch them all, the rainbows, browns, and brook trout. Each fish unique in appearance and behavior, each posing a new challenge to the inquisitive mind of a developing angler. I remember one such trip which changed all of that. It was just after opening day and I was fishing beneath a bridge that spanned a quiet little west shore tributary of Tahoe. Imitating what I had watched my cousin do years before I flipped a small Panther Martin into the bubble trails and pockets below the bridge, focusing my gaze on the spinning, flashing lure as it pulsed through the current towards me. A large flash broke my focus and my rod doubled over, bending with a life that I had never before experienced. The grace and confidence I had witnessed in my cousin could not be applied to this situation. I strained against my new opponent, trying to gain control over a force that would not be contained easily. I had hooked an angry lunker, and the ensuing battle would forever change the way I looked at fishing. When I finally brought the fish to hand I held it up in front of me and I knew that I had tapped into something special. Ever since I have put all my effort into searching fish like that one and hooking them on terminal tackle and fly tackle. Trout, steelhead, bass, panfish, and even carp have been my quarry, but I hope to expand this list in the future by tangling with saltwater giants. I started this blog to chronicle my journeys in searching for the ultimate angling experience, hooking an angry lunker!
Charlie