Shocking Discovery

[briansII]

While volunteering for a electro survey on my home river, I saw this.



Well, ok. It wasn't big like that one, but small guys/gals/it about 3-5" long. I've lived by, and fished this river my entire life, and had never seen a eel in it. Heard about them last year, but yesterday was the first sighting for me. Apparently they can grow much bigger, but the fact that they cannot make it to the ocean(anadromous), they remain small, and live under the cobble. Cool little dudes.

briansII

[silverlaker]

So what does that fly pattern look like ?!

[WanderingBlues]

Nasty.

[lucfish]

I had one come out of the mouth of a steelhead once, about 6" long. Gave us all quite a jolt.

[briansII]

So what does that fly pattern look like ?!

5", Ox Blood, Senko.

briansII

[anacrime]

Think that's a lamprey...?

[NorcalBob]

Shane is correct. A lamprey, most likely coming up river to spawn. They are found in most all CV rivers. Ask Chris about his job that involved lampreys for a good chuckle!

[briansII]

This looks a lot like what I saw, but I don't know if it's the same subspecies.



They were the above, light color, to a much darker brown. The head/gill area had a red/pink tint. They are permanent residents to my home river.

I'm guessing a pine squirrel, or micro rabbit strip leech would work ok......but I doubt these critters free swim much?

briansII

[teejay]

Some of the coastal Native American tribes consider them a delicacy.

[NorcalBob]

<<<I'm guessing a pine squirrel, or micro rabbit strip leech would work ok......but I doubt these critters free swim much?>>>
A plain old wooly bugger works fine, and those that you mentioned also work. During the spawn migration, they are readily available to the fish, and they snarf them accordingly. Since I know you're a "swinger", Chris and I have had some stellar days swinging wooly buggers when they are swimming around. In fact, that's what Chris is doing here on a favorite CV river.

[darrin terry]

I had been told they were there, Brian, but never seen them myself. Interesting to know it's true.

[BrownBear]

...make it to the ocean(anadromous), they remain small, and live under the cobble. Cool little dudes.

Dunno if they still do it, but back in the 1970's I was part of a crowd that went after them on their migration. Wade out into a shallow riffle at night with a lantern, a gunny sack and a gaff. They just swarmed in. Gaff as many as you wanted or thought you could carry, then head for shore and more light for dressing. Smoke them up and they were outrageously good. Anyone who's tasted and enjoyed smoked or bbq eel in a Japanese restaurant knows exactly what I'm talking about. Yum!