Mufasa IS THE Word

In total darkness, it took a few seconds to realize my eyes were open and I was now wide awake.  A glance at the bedside clock reveals 0534, which is a cool hour before my scheduled awakening to begin a much anticipated day.  Expecting more rest was now a dream, which was exactly what the day had in store!

For a week, Mike Schmidt of Anglers Choice Flies and I had been mulling over intentions of getting together on the Mad River for a day of Trophy Brown Trout chasing.  Today was to be that day.  Ambient temperatures in the low twenties and clear blue skies foreshadowed a daily high of mid thirties, with ten to fifteen mile an hour winds making things interesting.  Icy guides were to meet up with green tinted 470cfs flows on this Saturday.

With our transportation secured, Mike and I dropped into the Mad’s flow around 0830, destined to make this a day we would each remember.  Having been spoiled for my last few outings with temperatures in the fifties and sixties, and activities beginning in the noon hour, the cold biting at my fingers was distracting to say the least.  Early morning fishing is not in my normal vocabulary.

100 yards in and Mike mesmerizes one of the Mad River’s residents to his offering.  Attached to ten pound fluorocarbon is sixteen or so inches of very angry Brown Trout.  In a flash to the surface and a turn downstream, the fight was over and Mike was left with mere frustration in his hand.  Mistakes were noted and practice was over!

Steelhead Trout are not the only prey entitled to the namesake of “A Fish of A Thousand Casts”.  Add to this list the mighty Mad River Brown.  Cast after cast and throw after throw, Mike and I made our way down a mile of the Mad River.  She had now witnessed the “Mufasa” many times over and gave nothing.  Skill and patience were pressed to their breaking points, and then as Mike says, “strip, strip, BoooooM”!

Mad River Gold

Hanging back under a tree, twenty five inches of Mad River Trophy Brown Trout awaited Mike’s perfectly presented offering.  The fight was on as this beast secured six inches of Mufasa and danced on the surface shaking his head before running and dashing about the river floor.  All the lessons had been learned, and Mike’s experience brought the battle to a swift end, filling my net with his foe.

25" Mad River Brown Safely Released

With the creature graciously handled and safely returned, Mike stood with his body still shaking from an adrenaline rush few have experienced from the Mad River.  An adrenaline rush earned through years of practice and honing skills to near perfection, for nearly every cast.  The well earned victory ritual of a fine cigar hallmarked the event, and signaled the continuation of our journey.

Bent Out Heavy Duty Hook

No other takers were found on this day, but the experience didn’t end on the sand bar where several photos were snapped.  Once again, fly fishing has adorned an opportunity for a friendship based on a common love and respect for a sport that aids in the preservation of our outdoor world.  A sport called fly fishing; a world where few enter, and even fewer leave.