** This post is from contributing author, Pat Burke. **

I spent the better part of last month exploring new water in my area.  I targeted the lower ends of many of our famous trout rivers looking for trophy fish.  Many of these places are considered marginal in respect to trout habitat and summertime water temps.  Also, most do not have special regs and trout numbers are moderated by the local put and take fisherman.  It was a successful endeavor for the most part with many surprises.

During one of these outings a few good fish showed themselves while streamer fishing.  I made mental notes of those locations and planned to come back at a later time to try to nymph one of those fish out.  Today I focused on one of those locations and spent a good amount of time in that short stretch of water.

This was the first outing where the fish really turned on to eggs this fall.  I worked that stretch thoroughly fishing all of the surrounding water and caught many stocked bows.  I cycled flies for a while with no real interest in anything else.  I eventually settled back on eggs.

The spot I seen the good fish chase last time was a waist deep pothole right along the bank.  Today the water was much lower and clearer than last time.  When I approached that location, I took a half dozen casts from a downstream position before working my way up to the prime position.

At first glance the depression looked void of fish.  Then I made out the light coloring of the pelvic fins of a fish.  Slowly the entire silhouette of the fish became evident.  It was a good fish!  I threw to the head of the run and focused intently on my sighter.  I never did see the fish move.  I just saw a slight pause in the sighter indicative of the slow confident take of an egg pattern.  After a short fight I netted the fish.  You gotta love it when a plan comes together like that!