While visiting ReBuilder Medical in Charles Town, West Virginia February 2009 I stayed at Massanutten Resort and looked for a local fly fishing guide and found Brian Trow at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing.
Brian suggested we fish their private waters and I agreed. This was the best suggestion. When arriving to the stream in the middle of Virginia farmland the only people we came across were the farmers. It was great having the water all to ourselves.
Before getting out of Brian's truck, he warned me that we may come across some very large fish. He told me many times previously he did not say anything to his clients and then they would hook up on a very large trout only to say "why didn't you tell me there were fish like that here?" He said "seriously, there are large fish in here!", and I said sure alright like I believed him but to be honest I didn't.
While getting the equipment ready, I decided to take a few practice casts and allowed Brian to critique my cast and give me a few tips. Within minutes of getting into the water, I was on a fish. This was exactly what I wanted to do. It was a nice fish and we caught quite a few more before moving further down stream.
After moving further downstream, we caught more fish and then moved back upstream. It was then I have the most memorable hook up. I didn't get that one in but it was so large that when it came to the surface to shake off my fly, it sounded like a large concrete brick being dropped into the stream. While I didn't get the fish landed, it was so impacting, I really couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day.
I caught quite a few more nice rainbows after that but I was still thinking about the one that got away.
That's a gorgeous fish, if you're ever in BC let me know, I can recommend a few great guides!