As the new year is fast approaching, it gives us time to reflect on the past year and plan out trips and goals for the new year. Here are 6 fish on my “caught on a fly” bucket list. What are on yours? Has anyone completed this list?
1.) Taimen Trout. 6 feet.. 200 lbs.. a trout?!? Before I saw a video release on these monster fish, I lived in the dark. Taimen live in northern Mongolia and are aggressive big trout. Enough said! I want one!
2.) Bonefish. I have been visiting the Keys for upwards of 10 years. Apparently these fish are not as prevalent as they once were “back in the day.” I only have ever caught one on a spin set-up. I am dying to wade in the flats and catch a glimpse of one of these zippy little creatures tailing as they feed in the turtle grass. I’ve been told I need to go to the Bahamas. I know the fight in these fish will be worth the extra jet fuel.
3.) Tarpon.. over 70lbs. Sooooooo.. I know. I am pretty greedy. I have technically landed a tarpon on a fly, and it took no shortage of blood, sweat, agony, tears, and will -power to get one of these silver kings to finally eat my fly. But I want another one.. a bigger one! The fight, they jump, they wrap you around stuff. Tarpon are the most exciting thing I have ever caught, and they will leave you wanting more too.
4.) Roosterfish. Many of my friends tell me stories of seeing the rooster fish tailing off of a pristine beach in Mexico. I can just feel the excitement of catching a 5 foot 100 lb. fish with a mowhawk. I mean, come on.
5.) Carp. The carp is a little new to me. Cooper (my husband) has landed a couple with his other guide buddies. I know they like the slow moving water toward Rifle or just outside of Denver. This is a cool looking bottom feeder, that I need to figure out. Also, this is a very doable goal- I mean they live in Colorado!
6.) Peacock Bass. This is one of the most colorful fish I have ever seen photos of. They are freshwater. To make this goal a little easier, I found out they were introduced and thrive in some of Florida’s freshwater fisheries. However, I would prefer to get out of dodge and catch one of these bass in the Amazon. How cool would that be?! Either way, it’s all about that bass.
