I had my biggest ever catch in one day yesterday. I seem to get a few more and learn a little more each time I go out.

Caught 5 Brownies on a stretch of a few hundred metres on the wharfe, yesterday. And had 3 ping off.

But the one that was most memorable, was the one which got away.
It took the nymph and the tippet, which broke.

It was a sawyers PTN. The first fish I have hooked using that fly. And it was BIG. [I seem to have spent a bloody forune on these little bits of fluff!]

Im guessing it was 2.5-3lb, as I had a good look at it. The fish actually seemed to be the one in charge, and on reflection, I wonder if the fish was playing me, rather than the other way around.

It jumped, and dived deep a few times, giving me a glimpse of its shiny golden flanks. And in the end, after one big jump and deep dive, the rod, really bent, and the tippet snapped clean off.

I felt a bit bad about leaving the hook in the fish. But now understand the meaning of the meaning of the one that got away!

Anyone else got a particular episode that sticks with them?

I had a simliar experience with a 7lb pollack from a pier. Was float fishing and watching the little colourful dome bobbing around happily when it suddenly shot under and straight down. Picked up the rod and started to reel it in. Nearly doubled the rod over. Tried playing it in but the fish had to much power and unfortunaly for me it was the knot that slipped instead of line breaking. Knew he was 7lbs because my uncle caught him the following day. He had 3 hooks in him.

My 2/0 aberdeen, my uncles and a rusty size 7/0 imbedded in his throat. Showed some sign of wastage and was probably not eating properly due to the 7/0. No wonder it took my bait with such violence. It's was practically starving. Probably caught and thrown back by cutting the line at deep sea.

It's the big ones which get away that scar me and remain longest in my memory. I've come to appreciate them the most.