2/11 Dukes Report

[S.Trutta]

Definetely a day for the die hards. Cold and nasty in the AM, snow spitting, water temp was 38 when i checked in. Bundled up and hit section 1. First run i fished I tied into a BIG rainbow, fought him for 2-3 mins before he made a violent lunge and busted my 5x. Not more than 5 mins later in the same run, I hooked what felt like another big fish that ran to the other side of the creek and broke me off around some submerged debris!! That hole proved to be a sweet spot, i hooked and landed 3 fish after that in there, 14-17 inches. After that i fished the rest of the time without much luck at all, hooked and landed one more plump 15 incher and missed one other. It was nice to get out and I had section 1 pretty much to myself, only saw 1-2 other anglers. I had to pinch myself a few times to realize i was fishing dukes creek and not a SW Michigan tributary for winter steelhead, because these where the condition you get use to when chasing the big silversides up there. Dukes definetely has some bows in there that are steelhead size, so i guess the term "steelheading" wasn't completely crazy for yesterdays adventure. Anyone have any luck?

Rich

[Richie27]

S.T. just sent you a PM

[Jimmy Harris]

For those who were kind enough to cancel their trip to Dukes Creek on Saturday, we want to say, "Thank you!"

[S.Trutta]

Nice one Jimmy, beautiful color on that fish. Looks like you guys were down in the lower sections, how did it fish overall? I have been fishing section 1 lately and really wanna fish some water downstream the next time im there.

Rich

[TroutTackler]

Dang, Jimmy. You look a lot worse since the last time I saw you. I thought mountain air was supposed to be good for you.

[dblhaul]

I've fished that same run a few times..You don't have to give up secrets, but let's say that many of Dukes long, shallow runs get "overlooked". I walked that same run last Spring, down lining a orange/crayfish zonker. One can catch fish on Dukes in less than 5' feet of water..Good job Jimmy.

[Windknot]

Man! Look at the bruises on that poor trout! Looks like it's been smacked by the entire Sinker display at Wal-Mart... :D

[MossyOak]

Hope those " Steelhead " will be there on the 22nd !
Nice catch though !

[Richie27]

nice fish Jeff, did you knock it un conscience with all that spilt shot? :D ...I hear you wind knot

[Loopdawg]

Thanks for sharing the pic. It reminds me of one I caught last year on section 3 when I was by myself without a camera. I love the bright red stripe on fish like this. Congrats!