Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Hi, folks ! Just got back yesterday from a little fishing excursion to
Silver Creek, Az. ! Nothing really spectacular happened, but at least
I didn't get skunked on this trip !

Drove three hours Tuesday morning through intermittent rain showers
and started fishing around 9:30 AM,
but had to quit around 11:30 due to the constant rain - this was at 6,100'
elevation, so between getting pretty damp and the cool weather, I had to
check in to my motel early and take
a warm shower and let my clothes
dry out ! Took a nap, then crossed
the street around 5:00 for a 'beeg Mexican deener' and a couple of
Dos Equis Ambar beers !

Wednesday morning, back to the Creek at 9:15 - SENILITY STRIKES !
Forgot my net in the truck, so what happens ? Hooked into a beauty
(about 22"/ 2-1/2 to 3 lbs.), but NO
NET ! Got it to the bank at my feet
and tried to haul it onto shore to
grab it - THE LINE BROKE (only
using my light spinning rig w/4-lb.
test line) ! Hiked the fifty yards
back to the truck for the net - wasn't gonna lose another big one ! Started
fishing a little further upstream
where I had tried to avoid the rain under two trees the day before and landed a nice little 14-incher (net
not needed) ! Lost my productive fly on a snag, so not much luck the rest of the day ! Went to Sportman's Warehouse on the way back to the motel for more flies in that pattern !

Thusday morning, same time/same place - had been exhausted on Wednesday from too much walking (elevation + back problem + COPD) with my tackle bag, so took only a couple of fly and terminal gear
boxes jammed into my shirt pockets, my folding camp stool and
my fishing rod ! Went about fifty
yards beyond the two trees and
found a likely-looking spot - this
time I hooked into (and landed
with the net) the nice little rainbow
in the photo ! The picture of it in the net doesn't do it justice (there was
no one nearby to take my photo
with it) - it was about 18/19 inches
and maybe two pounds, as it was as big around as my wrist ! It just
became my new PB by about an
inch and half a pound ! Caught one other small one (about 13/14 inches), then started heading home by 1:00 PM - I was BEAT, as I had just done more walking in three days than
I had in the past six months !

Before leaving the Creek on Wednesday afternoon, I spoke with one of the hatchery employees, who told me that they had lost A LOT of
fish during the monsoon due to a flooding event - he estimated that close to 40% of their fish died or
were lost downstream, including
many of their biggest and best !
Oh, well, maybe next year ! Mean-
while, there are two or three more
places I'd like to try come next
spring ! - Thanks for reading this
post !

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

From your picture it looks like there is a fisherman about every 10 yards along the creek. Yes, and a bad luck event, creates a good story later. Just Sayin...RJS

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Good share Big A, Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it, now get in shape for the next trip back.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

There you go big A. sounds like you had a good time and caught some fish and enjoyed yourself. I'm no physical therapist but I found stretching helps my lower back a lot 👍

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Nice post Big A. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Nice story Big A! I enjoyed the chronicles of your adventure! Looks like you had some "company" on the stream, but were able to also fin some solitude for your own enjoyment! I know what you mean about trying to stay in shape! I kayak so much that my legs do not get the regular workout that the need and deserve! I have to be very deliberate about hiking and bicycling instead of paddling!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Sounds like a great trip Big, and you caught some nice fish to boot. I hear ya about the walking, COPD does suck!
Thanks for the story, and the pictures. Good luck on your next trip.

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

One of those blue or green inflated balls used at physical therapy helps alot, if you have room for it.
Don't forget your combovent....

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

Nice catch. Still fun isn't it?

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Combovent ? Is that a medication
or inhaler ? I have 'Ventolin' pumps, but only use them when the congestion gets really serious !
Was more 'short-winded' from the altitude (6,100 ft.) and all the
walking than from any congestion !

I HAVE to take my thyroid pills, but most other pills are shunned, for
the most part ! Only thing I use on
a (semi-) regular basis is Ibuprofen/
800 mg. for the back problem (and occasional headaches), and I've
been using much less of those in
the past 2-3 yrs. due to a growing
liver problem - since I've cut back,
the Doc says my liver is making a comeback ! Oh, and Vitamin B12, which my physician
recommended !

Was pretty tired and sore on Friday and Saturday, but I think the exercise
was good for my back and COPD -
had to tough it out on Thursday, but just left early when it started getting too sore, as I hadn't brought the Ibuprofen with me - about 2-1/2
hours into the 3-hr. ride home, the sciatica started acting up, just to make things interesting ! As soon
as I was unpacked and had
everything put away, I popped an Ibuprofen and took a hot shower, which helped immensely to
alleviate the back pain and
sciatica !

The trout picture I took, but the fishermen on the stream came
from an Internet photo - it's a long walk along that stream, but most
fishermen congregate at the pools where the big ones are stocked,
which is over a mile hike from the parking lot !

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

We share common ailments.

If you have copd, you should definitely have a rescue fast acting inhaler.... I use arbuteral, that has been renamed.
Also a slower longer lasting in the combovent which does have a combination of arbuteral and another long lasting dilator.

*Just as a quick note.
I was put on to the positive effects of
100% pure cherry juice.

Cuts down on my inflammations and need for ibuprofen.
So many great effects have helped me and others.
A friend at Bible Study, has gout and the juice is what his doctor put him on.
Check it out on the internet. "Benifits of cherry juice".
Let me know of your progress.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Thanks ! l'll look into it !

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Was fairly busy on Wed. and Thurs., but not as crowded as the photo
makes it seem - pretty sure some
days are way more crowded, as
there are some BIG trout in there !

This was mid-week, so I doubt I'll
ever go on a week-end - too busy,
and motels charge more on the
week-ends !

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Thanks to everyone for your congratulations and well-wishes !
It is much appreciated !