In Honor Of Ray Z... A River Giant 10/4

Today I went to the CT River to remember Our friend, my friend, Ray Z.
I brought my custom drop shot rod that Ray had built for me and threw a soft jerkbait.
I was hoping for one fish, just one, in Ray’s honor.
My wish came true when a spunky little smallie smashed the bait, and after a noble fight, came to hand.
I took a picture and talked to Ray for a while, and knew that he was smiling down on me from above.


I caught a few on a tube too including a fall fish


The fluke was the star of the day again, and I stayed with it most of the afternoon and it got bit a lot.




I continued to hit fish consistently as I worked a nice current seam. Then, I hooked the fish of dreams. A river tiger smallie worthy of Ray’s memory and the rod he had built for me.
This fish was everything you could ask for in a smallmouth: massive, acrobatic, tenaciously determined to break me off and strong... oh so strong from a long life of fighting in the current.
My new PB River smallie, and close to 5 lbs.



This was Ray’s fish. I’m happy to have had this encounter with an amazing fish, and, like Ray, I will never forget it.

RIP my friend.....

Ray built you that rod off a St. Croix blank?

TANK of a Smallmouth! Congrats!

Yes he did.

Great report Jon, way to remember a friend. Congrats on a good day

Fantastic fish, great report and what a way to remember our friend. Thanks for a great read Jon.

Great pics nice trip

Ray was looking over your shoulder for sure Jon. Congrats on your personal best.

Simply fantastic in every way, shape, and form. Great tribute, what a brilliant way to honor him.

Nice, Jon!

Well done Sir !

Nice job Jon, Ray would approve.

Heartwarming Jon. Your a good man.

Jon,

Great trip. Fantastic fish. You probably now more than ever believe as I do that those dear to us that have been lost can and will on occasion contact us. Here you were feeling melancholy, remembering your dear friend Ray by dedicating a fish. Ray, I am sure was great guy who must have cared about you a lot to have called in a favor with the Jewish Carpenter that he pals around with now. I never met Ray, but I am sure he was grinning from ear to ear, when asked Jesus "to send that big bastard one he will know came from me"

There is definitely fishing in heaven which is a great thing. It just hurts an awful lot when one of our buddies gets called up for a charter. Remember that outing and take comfort knowing while you can no longer fish with Ray as you used to, every time you fish, Ray is never far away.

MikeV

Great trip for a remembrance of Ray. You're all class Jon.

Great stuff. He made my drop shot rod from a St. Croix blank as well.

Great report, pics, and tribute to your friend.

That is one nice fish, congrats.

Great report and great fish in honor of Ray! Nice job!

Well done sir. Well done.