The skunk is off! My first Steel of the season and my last Steel of 2012!
After not being able to get out over the weekend, I had a short period of time to hit the river today. Decided to avoid the Tokul mess and stayed downriver. Got on the water just before 11am. Started with a peach/white jig under a float, but switched out after a short time to a more recently tied pink rabbit fur/purple marabou combo. Seemed like a little larger profile than the low and clear water conditions called for, but wanted to check the jig's action, so hucked it out there. Two or three casts later my float takes a dive. Set the hook and it's fish on! It was a solid fish, but didn't really make any major runs. Took my time working it to the bank (enjoying the moment). Finally got it in close enough to see a nice blushed buck. Looked like it had a half an adipose. Tailed it and fished my camera out of my vest only to find that I must have offended my camera recently as it was mad at me for some reason and didn't want to take any pictures. Fortunately another angler was just down river (who turned out to be a fellow WL member too) and he came up and shot a couple pics on his phone for me (Thanks Don! and nice meeting you.) We came to the conclusion that it was probably a hatchery buck with a poor clip, but I decided I didn't want to tempt fate, so gently slid him back into deeper water and off he swam. He had a few marks on his head and tail to show he'd earned his place in the river. My after thought was "and why didn't I at least measure him?!" Guess it doesn't really matter, as it was fish. and I had a witness.
Tried for a little while longer without any more takedowns, so quit just after noon. Didn't see any other fish caught or on the bank while I was there.

here is the jig I hooked him on (1/8 oz).

Tight lines everyone and good luck in the New Year!

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