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Field Report: Pushing the Limit . . . a mountain stream Personal Best

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Field Reporter

Jay

Location:

Finger Lakes, New York

Target Fish:

Atlantic Salmon

Fishing Style:

Freshwater, BFS (Bait Finesse System)

Tackle Information:

I might be pushing the limits of BFS a bit. I’ve heard the term “Power BFS” before, but I honestly couldn’t tell you if that’s what I’m doing or not. Whether I’m fishing for 5-inch Brookies in headwater streams of the Adirondacks or 24-inch Rainbows, Browns, and landlocked salmon in Finger Lakes tributaries, I’m using pretty much the same setup. The constants throughout are 40mm – 50mm sinking minnows in the 4g – 5g range, a Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG, and some VARIVAS line (most likely Gou #0.6 PE braid). The only things that change are the rod and leader.

For my headwaters setup, I’m spoiled with an Anglo & Co IPB464. The rod features glass, carbon, and boron through different sections of the rod. The flexible glass tip section is perfect for casting in tight conditions. I don’t think I’ll ever reach a skill level where the rod would be holding me back. It’s a functional piece of art. For the leader, I use the VARIVAS Trout Shock Leader Fluorocarbon in 4 or 5 lbs. It has great abrasion resistance around the rocks, logs, and branches that are typical of a mountain stream environment.

When it comes to fishing lake tributaries, I’ll move to a Tenryu Rayz 5’6” L rated rod. The extra length and power helps control large fish a little better. I’m certain I would snap a 4’6” UL rod on some of these fish I’m coming up against. For the leader, I use VARIVAS Trout Shock Leader Ti-F Fluorocarbon in 8 lb.  The extra strength helps me put some extra pressure on large fish, while having abrasion resistance against not only rocks and branches, but also some gnarly teeth.

A majority of the lake-run trout that I’m catching are between 16” and 26”. They are powerful, but with proper technique and the gear that I’m using, I never feel out of control fighting and landing these fish. They are still fresh when they get in my net, and after some quick snapshots, they are swimming back to their holding spot. In no way am I under-gunned with my BFS setup. This last Sunday, however, I came across something on a whole other level. I’ve always been a mountain stream, blue line angler, but since moving to New York, I’ve found myself fishing for bigger fish at lower elevations. It’s something that I’m not used to, but I’ve been able to adjust with minimal changes in equipment. I think I might have hit the upper range of capabilities with my last catch.

Pictures never seem to do it justice, but this specific salmon, which is probably the same size as my toddler, eclipsed my net (25.5” in total length and 8.5” hoop width). A conservative estimate is definitely putting this fish over 30”. Easily my personal best.

Even though the salmon are starting to tire from their time in the streams, this fish had complete control over the situation. After some jaw dropping runs and the sound of my drag constantly buzzing, I was able to get below the fish, and not so much net him but push his back, half-while leading him with the rod towards some shallow water. I was blown away with what happened. I couldn’t even tell you what I was yelling after landing that fish. Not just because it was most likely a lot of swear words, but because I was too excited to even remember. I think I blacked out. I was undoubtedly grinning from ear to ear.

In the end, all the gear did its job. I didn’t hear the dreaded “ping” of line snapping. Instead, I heard a few clicks from my phone, documenting a memory and a fish of a lifetime.

For more fishing tales from mountain stream angler, Jay, find him on Instagram at:

Thanks for sharing this awesome report about your recent Personal Best — a 30-inch, landlocked Atlantic Salmon, caught on mountain stream BFS gear. – VARIVAS Staff.

VARIVAS Products used in this report:

Click the photo for more info about the product.

Trout Shock Leader Fluorocarbon

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Disclaimer:
Field Reports on the VARIVAS America ‘Fish Tales’ blog are selected from submissions to the VARIVAS America Field Report Program and from VARIVAS Japan published articles and media sources.
In exchange for articles, reports, photos and videos submitted to the VARIVAS America Field Report Program, contributors may receive VARIVAS America store credit or free product.
Testimonials, statements and opinions presented in Field Reports on the VARIVAS America ‘Fish Tales’ Blog are applicable to the individuals depicted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of VARIVAS or VARIVAS America.
Testimonials are representative of customer and user experience. Opinions, experience and results, however, will vary and may not represent the experience of all customers and users of VARIVAS products.

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