Annual "Send for Scott"

[Hookmanski]

Every year around the time of my late Father's birthday, I go on a trout trip on the waters I grew up fishing with him. This year I couldn't get off on his actual birthday, but I was able to set a full day aside today to get out there.

I got up at 6, made coffee, walked the dog and hit the road by 7. Bit of a drive to get down there, but made it to the water by 8:25. A few minutes later, Luke pulled up and we were ready to go. We started in my old hometown on one of my favorite creeks of all time. While Luke was finishing getting all his things together, I decided to get started and threw a spinner in the closest hole to the car. Cast 3, boom baby! Brown Trout ahoy! A beautiful wild fish. Gave a nice fight, took some photos and away it swam.



We made out way upstream working every hole thoroughly. Luke's jig was getting harassed by a small trout that never committed, but other than that it was slim pickings. After almost 2 hours with no other bites, we made our move upstream.

Same creek, different spot. We descended into the woods and when I looked up into the trees I had to smile. The remnants of my dad's old tree stand are still just barely hanging on, and I know he was with us. As we fished my favorite childhood holes, we unfortunately came up short again.



This ended up being the theme of the day. We grinded non-stop (except for a quick burger break), the fishing was tough. We hopped around a few more rivers and streams but couldn't buy a bite. We figured we'd stop at one last spot to see if we could make something happen. At the very last hole, I cast a plug into a nice looking run and connected with what I thought would be a nice Rainbow, but to our surprise a nice SMB was on the other end! An awesome, unexpected catch to end the day.



I wouldn't be a fisherman today if it hadn't been for my dad. We lost him to suicide in 2016 and I think about him every day.

To be candid, this past year has been pretty rough for me mentally, but days like today show me that as many bad days as you might have there is always a good one ahead. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you're not alone. There is always someone that will listen. If you don't have someone to talk to, talk to me. I wish my dad had.

Take care and tight lines! Long live Scott Simanski!