The Lost MoJo of the Taylor

  It was only six or seven years ago but oh have times changed. As the yearly Arkansas River caddis hatch dwindled down the thought of the Taylor trip would heat up. May and June were spent tying and preparing for the GINORMOUS, elusive and almost mystical trout of the C&R section of the Taylor. The two weeks prior would be difficult sleeping, setting the hook over and over and then waking up and realizing that it was just a dream, looking over at Cat and knowing she is probably catching the 30incher right now as she sleeps. The shop would have a steady stream of glossy eyed dreamers; the look could be spotted the second the customer would walk in. Heading to the Taylor? Yeah, how did you know? A little grin, head nod and a pair of glossy eyed reply of “I’ll be up there next week”.

  The first few trips with Cat found frustration and after several days of getting skunked, the birds would be flying as we were driving over the bridge and heading home. They were right there!!!!! Why wouldn’t they eat my size 16 pheasant tail? I’m never coming back!!! Well a few trips later and things started to click. Some new flies and techniques and “game was on”. 30+ fish days with a 25 inch Rainbow and a 27inch Brown the lure grew even stronger. The Glossy eyes and the plans to try and get back up there again and again, dreams of those giant jaws opening and then closing on your bug.

  As I am preparing for my Taylor trip this year things just aren’t the same. I asked Alex yesterday if he has heard of anyone fishing the Taylor as of late and he said that a customer was in a few weeks ago and had just gotten back and had caught a few( shop speak for Skunked but to self conscious to admit it). Wow two weeks since the last Taylor talk, yes times have changed. Don’t get me wrong, I am totally excited to head up there but the reasons have changed. Highs of 80 and lows of 42 compared to P-towns 106 and 80. Four days of hanging out with Cat, Brandon, Winston and even Jimbo rather than employees and putting the new Xterra to use ought to be fun. BBQ chicken, Omaha Steaks and Cats wonderful BBQ Brisket will be on the menu for the next three days. The last couple years have been productive but the sizes of the fish have dropped. Maybe it is just because fishing is just so good here, don’t really know. Maybe tonight will be the night I am too excited to sleep, good thing Cat is there. hehe. Maybe this will be the year that we get out Taylor mojo back.Hopefully we have some great pics to share when we get back, here are just a few from last year, Thanks always for reading, Connell

 Sexiest picture ever allowed on the internet ^