20.5 inch Brown Trout

[Slartybardfast]

Went fishing with Troutking at Bailey Beach today and we fished till we dropped. Wind was blowing SW at 20 gusting to 30 all day. Kinda of neat to roll cast 80 feet. We saw lots of carp but the fishing was slow all day. I hooked three carp and landed one. One of the fish broke off and the other I hooked on the rod Troutking won at the auction so I handed him the rod so he could enjoy the fight of a big fish on that new rod of his. The question I put forth to everyone is who should get credit for the 20 inch club? I personally think that Troutking should get a patch for it. He hooked one earlier and broke off, he just finished the job on a different fish!

The biggest surprise of the day came when I switched from carp patterns to a Tabert paintbrush fly because I thought I saw skipjack herring busting top water. I blind casted and retrieved very quickly and I came tight to what I thought was a steelhead. Phishingincident told me it was a brown trout. We got out the tape and he measured 20.5 inches. Both carp that were landed were over 24 inches. We had a blast and now I'm going to pass out on the couch.





Look at the grin on that face.


All I have to say is Troutking photography!

[phishphinder]

I don't think we should give Don any kind of breaks.LOL If you go by IGFA rules, no one can touch the rod. If you passed it off then it would be disqualified. My vote would to give him the patch, how can you turn down that classic smile.

[krebsie]

I'm thinking, his rod, his fly, he fought and landed the fish! I'd say give him the patch. But would ultimately leave that decision up to Trout King!
Congrats guys and who'd a thought that that fish was a brown trout? What the! Man I'm gona miss phish when he graduates!
JC you need to slow down on the 20" club bro,,,,,,,,,,, so I can catch back up! LOLOLOL

[TroutKing]

Okay, here are my thoughts on this matter - the issue of a 20" Club patch. Earning a patch has been a goal of mine since 2009 and it has been elusive to say the least. As much as I appreciate the sentiments (and help) of trying to help me reach that goal, it is a matter of integrity. The patch represents earned effort, integrity, and a level of excellence that I want to achieve "legally." Earning a patch for me it hooking the fish, fighting the fish, and landing the fish. Missing any one of those steps isn't patch worthing in my mind. Bring that carp in was absolutely cool but John hooked it and hooking those babies is what has been keeping me out of the 20" club so far. I don't want to get a patch I didn't earn. I will get one someday and when I do, I'll wear it proudly.

BTW, my camera sucks or if I look at it truthfully, I didn't switch it back from super macro focus. So I have now switched it back but probably need to by an IPhone because they do take great pictures.

Thanks for all of your well wishes. Don.

[Slartybardfast]

Hey Don. I knew that's what you were going to say but I thought I would put it out there. Lets get back up there soon and get you that patch!!! I had a great time with you yesterday and thanks for keeping me awake on the ride home. I was in bed by 8pm!

[TroutKing]

Grammer check update...worthing = worthy and Bring = Bringing

Trying to type that previous message within a time crunch didn't let me proofread it!~

[TroutKing]

John, fishing with you is always a joy and I appreciate your thoughtfulness and gesture. I am sure there is a 20" in the Tippy just waiting for me - maybe the 18th or there is another carp just waiting to honor me with a patch on the 23rd. All the rest of April goes to my wife!

[dave138]

Well, we might be able to do it on the 18th. I know the ones I hooked into Saturday have been bugging me. They haunt my dreams...

[krebsie]

Trout King,,, You the MAN! No trophy is worth a carp if you don't earn it honestly!

[barryl]

YADA, YADA, YADA.............................I say we give him the pitty vote........it will be a good sorce for ribbing for YEARS to come.