Took my middle daughter out to a local lake for a little fly trolling (and some casting). Her sisters don't even blink anymore before saying NO to an invitation to go fishing with old Dad, and that's OK, because it gives us some great one-on-one time once in a while.
We did well on a small variation of a Muddler minnow I like to use for all types of fishing, fished right in the surface film. Some days, it solves the puzzle. This was one of those days. Fish also ate an experimental soft hackle fly and, of course, buggers, but all the biggest ones came to the Muddler, which I call my Big Fish Special. I've yet to find a dry that planter trout will eat with any regularity, so we didn't try the top. Definitely plenty of midges around to keep the fish looking up, which worked in our favor.
First fish was a dandy, although it's hard to tell from the crappy angle. Sadly, I haven't put her on enough big fish to allow her to develop adept fish handling skills, and we needed to get this fish back in the water quick so someone would be able to catch it on power bait in a few days and bonk it.
Next fish wasn't as big, but it fought like a brute and was easier to grip for the grin.
We caught about a dozen nice planters, from 16" to 5 pounds or so, and Autumn got to drive the tub (pretty safe when your big motor is a 30-lb. electric troller). Lots of fun. Looking forward to taking her on a half day summer steelhead float this June with a guide who has decided I've given him enough money over the years to give us a freebie. Really hoping she gets hooked up with a hot chromer. My thinking is that might keep her interest in fishing with Dad at a healthy level.
Like the rest of you old saps around here, I find myself wondering where the time has gone. My youngest is now 9, and my oldest just got her learner's permit. Precious little time left to enjoy the 3 of the 4 best things ever to happen to me. Really does raise that lump in the throat Achewter was talking about.