[CT_BASSman]

Today's trout fishing trip turned into something quite unexpected to say the least!

I decided to head to Muddy River in Wallingford today due to the fact I knew they would be stocking it this morning and putting in 850 trout. PERFECT! Weekday, river chock full of trout, the fly rod would be the weapon of choice.

Upon arrival to the river, more of a stream you can leap across, I pulled off in the pull off right off Tyler Mill Rd where there is a pool a stones throw away from the bridge on Northford Rd. I was greeted by a guy who was walking out saying there is a GIANT trout swimming around that he could not catch. Off to work I would go looking for this monster.

After several minutes of scanning the pool all I seen was the usual suspects; suckers, and a school of freshly stocked 12-14 inch trout but no "GIANT". It was about this time where I crossed the stream and decided to start working the fish. Caught a 14 inch brown on the 3rd cast. As I released the fish this is where I would get a first glimpse on the "GIANT". Coming from under a submerged bush I was standing right by was in fact a giant fish but no trout. To my surprise it was a hefty largemouth! My only guess to how it got there was it came over the dam in McKenzie reservoir above, regardless I wanted this fish!

After countless attempts to get it to strike my fly, which seemed like an eternity, it finally struck, the fight was on! To date this was my personal best LMB on a fly rod anyway, and I was using my tiny 3wt fly rod paired with 6x tippet which is just under 4lb test. The fight lasted forever me chasing the fish up and down the pool, finally it got worn down to a point where my buddy I was fishing with was able to get a hold of it underwater by its tail while I came up behind and lipped the pig.

After I landed it I knew it probably wouldn't have survived in this tiny river so I decided to release it back from where it came. I crossed the street where there was a guy working by the dam and he asked what I was doing and I told him. He proceeded to tell me to "get out!" and I told him the case, he said "he didn't care" and "wasn't even sure if fish were allowed to be dumped in there", when in fact there are plenty of fish in there and it's fishable. The reservoir we speak of is McKenzie.

I decided to hop into my car with my friend, speed up the road and around the corner and release the bass into the reservoir where there was a pull off on the road.

Needless to say it was a great day fishing with plenty of trout but this was my real prize!

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The tail on this pig was all chewed up and bleeding real bad, my guess is got bit from a pickerel if it came from the res, or some animal got at it while it was in the shallow pool.

[BassRican]

SWEET!!! Great job relocating it.
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When in doubt, rip their lips out!

[Seahunt_al]

Very nice bass...did you measure the length or get a weight? Nice job!

[fishingmaniac12]

From the sounds of it, you said other people had seen the fish and you said you kept casting to it, it sounds as if that bass was spawning. Also the tail was really beat up and that is what happens from the fish making their spawning beds. I mean i could be wrong but thats my opinion on the fish. Either way congrats on such a nice fish!!!

[Carpfishin860]

nice bass did you get a weight ?

[JustinSolak]

musta been a BLAST on such a tiny fly rod!!
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...of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy.

Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.

[Michael]

Awesome job Joe!

[O-BASS]

great report!

thats a great fish, but why would a pickerel bite the tail of a full grown adult bass? me thinks its an early spawner up in the warm water.
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Strength through Kindness...

[rmflint]

I personally think that fish had lived there for a solid 2 years since the reservoir was dredged 2 years ago. Based on the the size it had likely been feasting on small stockies and the sunnys that live there. Its possible that it always lived there because I have caught smaller bass in that area before. And that guy working kicked u out because that area of the river and reservoir is of limits and regulated by the water company. But congrats...we got to get out again soon.
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You know it was a good day when your thumb is all scratched up.

[CT_BASSman]

[CT_BASSman]

[rmflint]

Didn't have to be in that pool it could have been moving from another spot and got trapped the water level was a solid for and a half higher last week. And down steam there are some deep spots that hold bass that I only know about because my mom swam there as a kid.
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You know it was a good day when your thumb is all scratched up.

[CT_BASSman]

I seen all the smaller bass, I just dont think that small of river has the capability to hold a bass that big for 2 years, between drying up, freezing solid, etc. over 2 years. Plus the forage is just not that abudant people take out a lot of the trout and your just left with some bluegills, suckers, and some perch that I did see. I am not saying it's impossible I just can't see it happening.

[CT_BASSman]

[fishfinder]

The river is like a box of Chocolates!!!!!! LOL
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There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!