Fished through all the typical holes close to the parking with no luck. Really wanted to go upriver to explore a deep run that has become accessible this year with gravel that moved in, but I was looking at a short wade downriver to "the barrel hole". Vacillated, then went down. There is a tiny little rut against the cypress roots opening into the barrel hole, and my first cast went there. It wasn't the bottom...
I knew it was big, and so I didn't alarm it, headed straight around and down the barrel and walked this fish on the leash with steady pressure. I gave it good walk, because it was almost ready when I ramped the pressure, but it did have a good second run when it saw me.
Trout of my career, guys, 26-27 inches, and easily 7 lbs.
I'm really going to have to get a bigger net.
I'm amazed this picture came out, because I was holding the camera way above my head.
Here you can see the size of its head next and still a little below my 3-3/8" Varden.
I released it the shallows and herded it back to the barrel
When I did get upriver, no big fish for me, but just to show you there are "normal" trout in the Guadalupe:
One of the guides who floated by did a very good job of putting his fare on a another big one
Great morning, but I've got to get a bigger net...
