The fish that swam away.
You've all probably heard someone say, "He was bleeding so I kept him. What's the sense in letting him go when he's gonna die anyway." Well, I've had three occasions over the years where a trout turned the river red with blood and I think it would be good if you learned the outcome. The facts in all three cases are remarkably similar so I'll just tell you about the one that happened today. After suffering through a half a dozen refusals I hooked a really nice rainbow. She never jumped but made three nice runs, the first into the backing, and several darts away before the the netting. When I opened her mouth the size 18 olive was down a gill slit. At the time she was not bleeding. Got out the clippers and while holding the fish I used the rod to keep pressure on the leader so I could clip the fly off. Just as I was about to clip the leader the fish thrashed and the result was something like a chainsaw massacre. By the time I put the fish into the...