How to again?

[Driftless]

This hole is a head scratcher.

You are looking downstream in the photo.

It is mid september.

Lots of leaves on the surface.

The water dumps over a slight ledge all the long the grass line on the right.

The far left is a rock face that "chairs" to a deep slot. All rock.

The upstream approach is tight.

The water is slow.

[Sully20]

This may sound crazy, but here's how I would attack this one: This tactic requires a two man team, but in a situation like this where options are limited, it is the best. After choosing the fly/lure of choice, with utmost stealth, have one of two guys position him/herself with the fly/lure in the upper left hand corner of the photo, further upstream than you would think is necessary. Have the second person (who is holding the rod) move around the bottom of the photo (out of sight of the hole) with the line held tight as they let more out. When person #2 gets to the bottom right hand corner of the photo, a signaled release lets person #1 drop the fly/lure into the water. This reduces the possibility of spooking fish with the line on a slackwater pool and ensures the first "cast" hits its mark. The retrieve begins and hopefully is followed by a hookup. I would keep the retrieve as close to the "chair" ledge as possible. Some might say this is a dirty tactic, but a situation like this calls for them. If it were me I would use either a # 2 olive wooly bugger on a sink-tip line or a # 9 countdown black and gold rapala. The rapala would probably be a better option because you could walk the line around the leaves easier. Good luck

[Scudly]

Are we talking specifically fishing this in the fall with the leaves? That would be hard with a spinner. Say you come back in the spring. I'd fish heading upstream, tight the grass bank. Start in lower tail of pool working my way up. 2" worth of crawler and a split. Case in the middle and let it sit for a while. Once a minute, drag slightly, say 2' max. You should catch that GIANT brookie. This would be early am or closer to dusk. Once sun is starting to come over the trees you can whip out the spinner. Once in total darkness, stick to bait.

[grate8]

dude fish a lure.

fish hole like u normally would, but u use a jig or spoon that can fish vertical if the line ctches a leaf.

fish noce an slo so the lure doesnt come up an snag a leaf...but is going to snag some

[Driftless]

enormous SMART brookie in this hole.

Going to require some research and

some finesse to catch this fish. In

my part of the world I have NEVER seen

such a large brookie.

[fsh4trout]

Dynamite or C4 if you can find some.

[Scudly]

Len you mention this brook trout is 20" if not larger. I believe you. What I have realized is big trout find BAIT irresistible.

I'd be using a Shimano Stradic 4000 series minimum. 10 lb braided line. Firewire. That braided stuff has no memory so you will feel the take almost instantly. #8 Eagle Claw laser pointed hook with 2" stout crawler (or piece totaling 2"). What I love about the braided is the line somewhat "floats" on top so you can see the take and feel almost instantly. I watch the line sift to the count of three and then set the hook. Want to get the fish right out of that hole ASAP just in case it is not the 20" brookie. Don't want to spook the hole.

Now if I catch this 20" brookie, it is going on the wall. Same goes for the >30" brown that broke me off on Lightening Creek. Coming prepared next time.

As for >30" brown, I'll need much stronger than 10lb Firewire. Thinking 20 lb to play it safe.

[waterbound]

I'm assuming this stream is in Wisconsin. If I'm not mistaken the use of live minnows for trout in Wisconsin (on streams, but not lakes) is legal. Possibly try letting a live sucker or creek chub drift through that hole a few times. No weight or bobber, just stand near the upstream part of the hole, toss it just above the hole and let it run free with the current. I don't know what size fish 20"+ brook trout eat, but I would start with some in the 3-4 inch range and maybe even try up to 6"...brook trout have large mouths and it might be necessary to use larger bait to entice the larger fish.

[macgruber]

how bout a mouse at night? from the weeds on the right of the picture.... sometimes the surface activity will get the spooky trout active.....

[Driftless]

all i know is i have a piece of driftwood sitting on my back porch that the huge brookie would look good on.

[Scudly]

Len are we going to take Pronghorn Productions to fish this spot opening day (pre-season)? That being the case, worms will not work. Maybe powerbait. I bet that big boy will hit at a PM first thing, Saturday March 6.

[Driftless]

early season can't keep it.

going to wait until may season to chase it

[Nate McVey]

early season can't keep it.

going to wait until may season to chase it

You could still chase it early season, catch it, take some pics and measurements and then get a replica...........

You seem to have the ability to take great pictures of trout, so why not go that route?

[Driftless]

i worry about killing MONSTERS in early season and letting them float away. I typically won't target any huge trout until the may season starts.