I was at Lost Lake today trolling on my toon -- catching/releasing small trout. I was hoping for something bigger when suddenly I had a strike that buried my rod tip into the water -- startled me --and then instantly started stripping line off my reel, going deep. I started to tighten the drag a bit, and pulled back some...and then my line went slack. It was all over in a few seconds -- but I sure wish I had more skill -- knowing how to react to a really big fish. I probably did everything wrong. Got lot's to learn, but sure enjoying myself!
Tamarac, tough lesson to learn from, the monster you're not prepared for. The only advice I KNOW is true: make sure your hooks are super sharp. Aside from that, alot depends on line weight, experience with prior "teachers", setting the drag correctly, rod action, etc.
Sounds like you had an awesome day though, next time pics would be nice
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What do you mean "I'm not paying attention", wait.....what was that last part?
I have seen some really big trout come out of that lake...too much fun. It has been quite a few years (decades? lol) since I was up there but my friend took me to a little mud puddle close to there called Scott lake. The intent was to learn how to throw a fly where we would not mess w/ other fisherman and long story short... I spent the day with about 15' of line out just whipping it from one side of the raft to to other 'cause my teacher (and I) started picking up some of the prettiest Brook trout , some going as big as 14'' all in about 3' of water. I love surprises.
The only part of your story which may be detrimental to you catching the next big one was when you said you started tightening your drag!
Most big fish stories that got away are " my drag was too tight and the line broke" or "drag was too tight and fish broke the pole!" If the little trout were barely able to squeak your drag a little- you had it set just right.
The big fish are supposed to go deep and strip off line- that's what you want- just be patient and LET THEM GO! Don't tighten the drag, don't put your hand on the spool to try and stop it- just wait 'till it stops pulling and then begin the tug of war to reel it back in.
Be careful when a fish is pulling hard to NOT turn your reel handle when the drag is already slipping! If you turn the handle as the drag is slipping you put 5-6 TWISTS in your line with EVERY turn of the handle! This can seriously weaken your line.
All that being rambled about- you probably didn't do anything wrong on that fish- sometimes they just get away. Keep trying, there's plenty of those in there- it'll happen again!
Thanks for the report- that's a fun and beautiful place to fish!
The importance of a clean, well lubricated drag cannot be overstated. I tend to lean towards having a loose drag until you get the fish on. Then adjust your drag in small increments so that you can lift your rod without the line pulling out, but if the fish surges it will give line. You can land some monsters on light line if your drag is clean, lubed, and properly adjusted. It comes down to fight the fish with the rod and use the drag to control the line. On a large fish the term "reeling in the fish" is somewhat a misnomer. You need to work the fish in by lifting the rod and reel in as you lower the rod to take up the line you have gained. Always lower the rod smoothly as you reel in to never give slack line to the fish.
Wow sounds like you got the bug up there at Lost Lake. Ive hooked and landed several trophy Bows out of that pond. Keep trying and check with Roy at the lodge for an update on what they are hitting on.
Tamarack
Lost Lake (Mt Hood) -- learning
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