Fishy Friday: 8/30

This one was too good to pass up, because there’s several things going on here.

First, the rather large and beautifully colored chub that Denis is holding, just prior to release.

Second, that look of satisfaction on Denis’s face that he has just landed a monster.

Third, and most interesting, is the tie that Denis is wearing on this drift trip down the Androscoggin River. Records indicate that this was a drift with Jon Howe, and while Jon is most definitely a fly fisherman, he does not require a tie to be worn when venturing forth with him for the day, to my knowledge. Denis is definitely nominated for Best Dressed Fisherman of the Year award …

In Denis’s e-mail to me, he provided me with some plausible explanations for his fascination with the under appreciated chub, which I share verbatim with all of you now.

“I refer to the Chub as “The Bronze Prince of the Androscoggin”, and I’m never unhappy to see them, especially when they get this big, and here’s why:

They live in the same beautiful places as the Trout.
They eat the same things as the Trout.
They fight well, even though like some Trout, they don’t jump.
I’ve caught way more 18 inch Trout than Chubs of that size, so obviously, the big Chub is more of a trophy fish.
…and any river that can grow an 18 inch Chub can grow a trout big enough to eat it!
 

 Also, if your guide teases you about them, take them off the hook yourself and then pat the guide on the back with the fishy hand….guides learn quickly!”

All excellent reasons to pursue this valuable gamefish I think.