First wading attempt this year (briny).

[JMadert]

Waded out to my little pyramid of rocks on the Miles River tonight at dusk ... in years past, some nice stripers have shown up there about May 1st. Since we've had a couple of 80 degree days I thought I'd rush things a bit.

No stripers, but a gazillion white perch ... cool breeze, clear water, hungry perch. Nice to be out amongst them again. Some whiteys put a serious bend in the old 4 wt.

Very difficult 12 foot casts.

[Flying Fish]

You were fishing for "nice stripers" with a 4-weight??

Sounds like it was the right rod for what you ran into; nice report.

FF

[JMadert]

By "nice stripers' I mean fish between 20 and 26 inches. Leader is 15 lb tippet and you can whip them safely with the 4 wt in the spring when the water is cooler. I would not do
this later in the season ... could be harmful to the fish (prolonged fight in warm water).

I have purposely broken-off larger fish in the past when using a 4 wt, rather than risk
injury to 'em.

Since the vast majority of fish are less than 18 inches, the 4 wt can be lots-O-fun... and it's the perfect perch-stick.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n226/Msquad321/Goodwhiteys1.jpg

[Cutter]

That's A Big Handfull O Perch!