My First 20 Inch Trout of the YEAR! (Streamer Fly Fishing for trout)

[@justinpack5630]

Catch and release is the way to go Great catch

[@masonmitsri4262]

Been watching you for a few years now, you’re a huge inspiration in the fly fishing community love to see it!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you so much!!

[@jsmalls1911]

I cant thank you enough. You are the reason I am catching trout on the fly. I started back in the summer of 2023 all because I saw one of your videos. You have helped me learn everything I know now and your videos are the reason I keep fishing even when I haven’t even seen a fish all day. You have taught me more than I can ever figure out myself and have done it better than anyone I can find. Thank you for the videos and getting me started on a new lifetime addiction. Thank you, happy new year and tight lines.

[@hardmanfishing]

This might be the best comment ever!! Thank you so much for watching the video and I’m glad the videos have inspired / helped you start fly fishing. Have a happy new years and I wish you the best of luck in 2025!

[@bengibson2383]

Tbh he inspired me as well like 2-3 years ago, my grandpa always fly fished to but I never got to see him do it in action. Watching John and Andrew is always an inspiration and they teach great things as well!!

[@michaelgibbs3011]

Oh my! I would so very much like to catch a trout like that. I am 77 and have been casting flies at trout since I was a kid. All of that has been in the cold mountain streams of VA, but never have I caught a wild trout that nice. Yes, I've caught stocked trout that nice, but never a wild one. I was about an hour from a stream in the VA mountains, actually a small cold-water river where stocked trout live and breed from year to year, or so the game commission said, so even though they are not what a person would consider wild, they were wild to me. There are browns there over 20" but try as I might, I have not connected with one. I eventually moved to Florida where saltwater trout are available as well as other species that will take a fly, but it is not the same. So, I have a trip planned to Wyoming this spring/summer where I hope to get into actual native trout. Casting a streamer into the Atlantic surf and hooking blues is indeed a thrill, but blues and saltwater fish of any kind is not much of a challenge. All that is needed a rod bigger than the lightweight tackle used in the mountainous trout streams. Saltwater fish are not as elusive and a fly fisher's approach and technique, and presentation are not near as important. I mean any novice who has learned how to cast a streamer 50' can manage a hook up if conditions are right. Reading the water when casting from shore is not critical. Splash downs are okay. Unless you are casting to bones on flat water from a boat, blues and trout don't spook. No need to wear dark clothing or sneak up on the fish. No need to make your fly's landing to look natural. If the fly is "swimming" within the quarry's vision, it will more than likely strike. So that is not my thing. I'm hoping I am up to Wyoming or Montana's wild trout wariness. 20 years ago I researched Colorado trout streams, small streams, where I might catch brookies. Small but still a challenge. Because those lonely streams often wandered through open natural meadows with no stream-side brush, I was able to cast upstream with no instructions, places where long distance casting where practice on presentation and mending paid off big-time. 7 days I followed those kind of waters alone. Never saw another fisherman, hiker nor anyone else. Grizzly country but I went prepared. Never saw one, but boy did I catch and release so many of those little fighters. Mostly used dries and Wolly-buggers using a 5 weight Orvis rod. BTW, I have never killed a trout, wild or stocked. I see them as the most majestic creatures God placed on His good green earth.

[@michaelgibbs3011]

Wait, I said instructions when I meant obstructions.

[@marisahardman]

the toliet is a bit concerning🤣 but good job catching the 20 inch brown😊

[@lukevass504]

Awesome video… glad to see my boy Micah in the video!

[@LouisWontWorkSoHereWeAre]

That thumbnail got me clicking staright away haha keep up the great work, tight lines

[@hardmanfishing]

Hahaha thanks! Glad you enjoyed

[@austintrenkamp8205]

Love the good conservation message man, great video as always. Really enjoyed your channel for a while now. Cheers!

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@tonywalkingstick8883]

Awesome catch. Beautiful Trout and a familiar one makes that twice as sweet. Someone put the throne in because they probably planned on coming back probably after work when they're already tired. Happy New Year Jon. Great video and always tight lines.

[@jshada58]

Thanks for the great story. Nicely done as usual.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@QuinnF-k3z]

Love the channel dude! I hope to learn a few tips and tricks about early spring fishing from your videos as the winter comes to an end.

[@hardmanfishing]

I’m sure I’ll have at least a few videos that should help you that I make in the coming months! Thanks for watching the videos

[@DavidSpain-i4c]

Happy New Year! That was an amazing eat. Despite a toilet in the creek no poop show that day! Tight Lines!

[@hardmanfishing]

Happy new years to you too! Thanks for watching!

[@HeidiWohlbier]

I'm a new Comer to watching your videos and really enjoy them. I've been a bass fisherman all my life, and going to switch to fly fishing in Colorado this spring. Can't wait

[@hardmanfishing]

Heck yeah that’s awesome! The learning curve to fly fishing is tough, but if you keep with it you’ll love it

[@FlyGuy1810-j3t]

Happy New Year! Those are some beautiful browns

[@hardmanfishing]

Happy new year to you too!

[@robbieallan6522]

Gorgeous fish I think brown trout are the best looking member of the trout family. Great catch man ❤

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! They are some very good looking fish

[@garydenton2048]

That Brown was a royal flush for you. Congrats.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@henryleslievermont6004]

Awesome Brown! Back to Back! Enjoyed 🎣👍

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@deanvarner9308]

Awesome video, which is standard for you ❤❤❤,love it

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@e4t662]

Ironically, I'm sitting on my toilet as I watch this..

[@hardmanfishing]

10/10 comment 😂

[@Timetraveller1000]

Me too

[@mmsfishing]

So dope. My first fish of 2024 was caught on January 1st on the first cast I made. It was no 20” brown, probably a 13” holdover rainbow. Still a cool thing to say lol

[@hardmanfishing]

That's pretty sweet though!! Congrats man

[@Derpitz96]

The toilet oddly brought back memories. When I used to fish in creeks back home, I would find the most random objects. Sometimes, full pieces of furniture. Always makes you wonder how in the world it ended up where it is.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yep I always think the same thing. It’s not like there’s an easy way to get that garbage there in most instances 😂 anyways thanks for watching!

[@charlesnicholson2591]

How sweet!! That is undeniably the same fish!! You are a master at this!! How many times I've seen you call the strike 👍😁🎣

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! I also am like 99% sure it’s the same fish. Maybe I’ll come visit her next January and keep tabs on it 😂

[@johncalabrese6467]

Fun to watch as always !! of course you and Micha removed the toilet. I will save a screen shot of you sitting on it, Hilarious 🤣🤣

[@briharesfishingtours]

Adding a new definition of brown trout fishing with the toilet in the creek 😂

[@briljantje9583]

Well, well, well, a royal seat in the middle of the river on January 1st. That must be a good sign! 😂

[@hardmanfishing]

hahaha! Can't be a bad sign! Thanks for watching

[@paulmcewan8144]

Good fishing 🎣🎣🎣

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks!

[@paulmcewan8144]

@hardmanfishing 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🎣🎣🎣👌👌👌👍

[@johnhusted8453]

Holy toilet seat…nice brown!! Good way to start 2025. 😂

[@NCAUDIOVIDEO]

Love the vids man. Would you do one on the different set ups you use? Thanks!

[@FlyGuy420-l1j]

The Thinker! The Stinker and the Sinker!!! A triple play.😂

[@blaineyother157]

Great video 🎣

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@reece.carter1969]

Looks pretty good. I’d call it the same fish. 👋👋

[@ColoradoFlyFishing_]

Great video! Making me want to throw streamers more!

[@bengibson2383]

Awesome video man congrats on an awesome fish!! BTW My gf actually got me a guided trip in Tennessee for Christmas on the SH river in Tennessee!!! We’re going in February. Hopefully I can get a big brown, my biggest so far is 16.5 inches which is a nice fish where I usually fish.

[@hardmanfishing]

That’s awesome!! I’m going back to Tennessee in February too 😂 I wish you the best of luck! There are some big fish out there

[@landonedwards7504]

When I saw you had moved from a Grinch suit to a toilet, I almost closed you down. But I'm glad I hit the Play button. That's a fantastic brown for January, or any other time. Especially in a stream that's heavily abused. I agree it's very likely the same fish as '24. Congratulations on getting this year off to a great start! Looking forward to more and better in '25!

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you didn’t close me down! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Ed_Long]

Hopefully next year you'll catch it again, since now you have both sides and you'll know when it's him again. Long live fishing with return....it's beautiful

[@hardmanfishing]

I hope so! I think that’s what I’ll likely try to do. Thanks for watching!

[@Ed_Long]

@@hardmanfishing I try not to miss any of your videos....Greetings from Chile

[@Timetraveller1000]

Nice fish

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks!

[@JakeBluke]

What camera do you use? Looks awesome

[@kb8030]

Great fish bro!! How often do you catch smallies while streamer fishing up there??

[@hardmanfishing]

Almost never in the winter. Sometimes in the summer I do.

[@mikeschierkolk6995]

I see you use the V grip when casting. Have you ever tried using the thumb on top grip? There are good reasons Lefty Kreh advocated and taught the thumb on top grip.

[@hardmanfishing]

I've done it all, honestly at this point I don't pay much attention to how I'm gripping the rod but rather what feels most comfortable. I'm not saying that's right that's just what I've been doing in recent times.

[@JP-dz7zu]

If you catch a trout while sitting on the toilet would that technically be a blumpkin?

[@marisahardman]

giant🤯

[@marisahardman]

oh shitaski mushrooms!!

[@cjsocool3307]

Wondering where are you doing your fishing?

[@SoktyNesat]

so good Video

[@vladd5291]

Awesome video, as usual! Is there a reason you’re throwing steamers on floating/intermediate line instead of sinking line?

[@hardmanfishing]

Most of the water isn’t that deep, so throwing sinking line doesn’t help me much. Just makes me have less control over the streamer. IMO in small streams floating line is better

[@vladd5291]

@ thanks for the explanation! Do you use versileader at the end of the floating line to get the fly to sink?

[@hardmanfishing]

@@vladd5291 Nope, just use flies that sink. In this case I used a dungeon and a circus peanut

[@vladd5291]

@ thank you! Really enjoy your work!

[@tgeorge31-up9sn]

Love watching your videos. Hate the toilet being there. Can't tell you the amount of times I head to fish only to spend it picking up garbage. Litter in a stream is ignorant.

[@hardmanfishing]

Couldn't agree more. It's insane that people have the audacity to throw that much trash in the stream. Thanks for watching

[@ciromaione3660]

what did you use for streamer rod/line? Thnx

[@briandetweiler9974]

What state are you fishing in

[@iloveflyfishing213]

Was Micah on a untangled ventures fly co podcast episode or was it a different Micah?

[@rasant8917]

At first I thought you were going to post a picture of a finless brown...😮

[@hardmanfishing]

That would be WILD 😂

[@wd2romeo]

What state?

[@EricHinkle-zl5gb]

Welllll gheeee. I wonder where this stream is??

[@davedeboy5726]

cool, but I don't think it is the same fish. The first one had a very distinct dot right above the tail fin. The second one didn't. Looks like you have 2 big fish.

[@lenturtle7954]

Fihing in the bathroom😂

[@micahbates7222]

That yodel at 3:17

[@robertyetsko80]

Nice video good narration!!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@Geoghillie]

Who needs a paddle when you are up $#!% Creek with a toilet. Perhaps the DNR uses it to plant "brown" trout in that stream. At least you didn't have a crappy day fishing. Cheers!

[@matthewmcguire5217]

I was hesitant to click on this not sure what kind of trout you were talking about given the thumbnail shot. 😂

[@hardmanfishing]

Hahaha 😂 looking for brown trout!!

[@Alpinebros]

perfect 11 min felt like 5

[@Feeeeeeeeeeeesh_10]

Omg

[@Ante-e8f]

Make a temu fishing chalange

[@marisahardman]

I wanna see the dog

[@jamesjenson8466]

where do you live ?

[@milesscott89]

Gotta love a good toilet trout

[@jacerodgers5559]

You know its a good fish when Jon turns into a Hair Dryer

[@hardmanfishing]

I’m not even sure what this means 😂

[@jacerodgers5559]

@@hardmanfishing “yes dude!!!” Listen back and you’ll get it lol

[@chriskule4663]

Toilet? The Lackawanna?

[@marisahardman]

I vote its the same fish..

[@barrylaws6085]

Did you poop before you left? 😅

[@hardmanfishing]

I did not 😂

[@jeffpyle6353]

Why wouldn't you take a few minutes and clean where you fish.

[@joesammarco1604]

I hope you all remove the garbage

[@hardmanfishing]

We'd need a few dump trucks for that lol but we participate in stream cleanups, sometimes multiple times a year, in this area.

[@larryh9525]

I appreciate the comic value you sought with the toilet, but it's pretty disgusting that someone would toss it into a trout stream. I've fished in the southeast for years, and I'm turned off by the trash the locals throw in the water. I found tires, chairs, and all manner of trash. A couple of geniuses even tried to roll a dishwasher into a stream; fortunately, it got hung up in the woods and the local raft company had the state haul it away.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yep I 100% agree. It’s arguably the most ridiculous thing that happens on the east coast. People with a complete lack of respect for the environment and the waterways. Thanks for watching

[@themidnightrider6805]

20 inch 💩

[@danosborne1550]

Douchebag fishing adventure

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks for watching the video and showing your support by leaving a comment! 😊

[@jmarko9403]

Who else Came from insta

[@hardmanfishing]

Anyone who likes this comment is cool

[@highthai7]

I dont look at sexual content on IG. Get your head outta the gutter.

[@TimothyWade-w6j]

I arrived just moving around,glad to see ya. Nice casting and very nice fish 😊😅🎉

[@marisahardman]

full send it🫡

[@troystiles1033]

Strange casting zone , when fishing streamers I throw downstream

[@Joe-j9r4x]

What state?