The Search for Giant Trout

With the fishing as slow as the applications coming in for the Jay Cutler fan club, I thought I could mention a good read. The book is Big Trout by Ray Johnson.

When I was a teenager back in the 70’s I was fascinated with this guy. I first learned about him in an Outdoor Life or Field and Stream expose on him titled “The Hermit of Flaming Gorge”. This guy dedicated his life to catching some of the biggest Brown Trout in the world out of Flaming Gorge, a 42,000 acre reservoir straddling the Utah and Wyoming state line. Flaming Gorge was one of the hottest places in the world at the time for trophy Browns. They have since given up the stocking program and have concentrated on Lakers (Mackinaws as they call them out there) and it continues be a good fishery, just not for Browns anymore.

Some times at this time of the year I stand along the shore of Lake Michigan, casting lures for a few hours in single digit temps and think you myself… you are nuts. Well, maybe I am, but I have nothing on Ray Johnson.

Here is a guy who lived in a cave during the peak season, broke through ice to get a small boat onto dangerous waters, has been trapped for days during storms on the banks of the Gorge waiting for the weather to break, and numerous other crazy events in order to catch some of the biggest Trout in the world. It took me years to find myself a copy of this book. For years I admired this guy as a legend in the world of giant trout. But after reading this book, my view changed a bit.

Yes, he is a legend and has caught more Trout over 20 pounds than I will ever see, no doubt. But his descriptions of his angling and success started to make me scratch my head. He was devoted to catching big trout, but the only thing bigger than that was his enormous ego. He was obsessed with not only catching the biggest Browns, but to continue to hold the records and stay on top.

That said, he pioneered light line, long line trolling for very wary Browns. It is a lesson we can still learn from today. He loved the #11 Countdown Rapala trolled on six pound line. He picked the low light days and the worst weather he could stand. Big fish aren’t stupid and it took all the elements to come together to make the giants vulnerable.

This is a great read if you can find one. It’s a lot about fishing and a little about a man who was obsessed with being on top of the mountain in the world of huge Trout. Obsessed to the point that he risked his life and was willing to leave his job and family for months to prove it.

The third photo is my new hero Michael Bate of New Zealand. Look at that beast!!!

Tight lines and smooth drags….
Marc