Finally got a chance to get out - been a rough year with very little walking, hiking, fishing. Caught a female & released her with her swollen belly of eggs, but kept this 21" 3lb male for eating.

Nice Fish!!! What rig did you catch it on? And how did you prepare it for dinner?

4 pc 6' eagle claw fiberglass lightweight rod (fun)
quality 6lb test (have lost too many on this stream w/ lighter line)
Shimano reel - upgraded couple years ago after losing some big fish on this stream
#7 rapala (countdown) - brown minnow pattern: this has been my go to lure for large fish last few years

cooking tomorrow - will probably bake this one with garlic, pepper, salt, lime juice, olive oil - turning once halfway through

he has nice pink meat

Nice!!! Thanks for the info, I will try the #7 Rapala. I will be fishing in Emigrant Wilderness in a few weeks.

the higher you go, the smaller the lure, generally

also depends a little on what fish you are after

i use the rapala for big german brown & rainbow trout, mostly in fairly large streams

in high, clear mountain lakes & streams, i use much smaller tackle & quite often do flyfishing or use a fly & bubble with the spin rod, especially for brook trout

for big goldens & brookies, i like small trout teaser jigs 9 ft or so below a casting bubble, or beadheaded nymphs or wolly buggers if flyfishing

Sounds like you know what your doin-Thanks!! I am taken notes and can't wait to go fishin.

Then I guess you're in?????

Cool!!!

Hey Ken, I am in!!! I PM you last week??? Sounds like a great hike- looking forward to it.

Cool. Jay!! Never got the PM. No worries. Just sent you a pm.