First Gila Trout!!

With only a couple of weeks left in the short fishing season for this special little creek, we braved the road and make the tough little hike.  Snow on Mt. Graham made for a scenic approach and the numerous willows only made it more satisfying when I caught my first Gila Trout.  I never touched or took it out of the water and was very lucky that stayed in the slower water long enough for me to get a couple of pictures.  A very healthy, plump fish.  I lost another one  and we spent the rest of our time exploring to see how many pools were fish-worthy.  Dead fall and thick willows on almost every pool mean the majority of these fish will lead unmolested lives.  It was so nice to break in my Shakespeare Diana 6 1/2 rod (it will be restored to original colors later this year) and my Daisy Heddon Reel matched nicely.  My special thanks to my fishing buddy Rod McLeod who led me in and actually was part of the team that helped stock these threatened fish into the stream 5 years ago!