November 17, 2012

Flow: 70 CFS

Water Temp: 44-51

If you take a walk in the Big Apple and say “Hi” to everyone you see, you’re likely to be rewarded with several “Up yours!” At least that’s what we’re led to believe by the television. I cannot confirm or deny this as I’ve never been to New York, so if I offended anyone of that great city, well…Up yours! ;)

 

What’s this have to do with fly fishing, you ask? Don’t worry folks I’ll get there.

 

This scenario unfortunately can be seen on the river. Anglers crossing paths utter grunts at each other and guard their spots like a spider monkey jacked up on Twinkies and Red Bull. I see kids run to get ahead of 70-year-old men and people slide into the water you were fishing when you step away to take a wizz. And god forbid a baitfisher walks by!

 

Today was not a day like that. Today, I met new friends, said "hi" to lots of people that were having a great day, shared holes with old friends, and clients and even stood on the bank shooting the bull for over an hour watching others catch fish. A couple of folks just walked up and shook my hand. As fly anglers, the image we convey is completely up to us. If we are the “advanced” form of angling, we must also advance our image. Today’s main photo was hooked in “MY” hole I shared and as you see, Dan was the one to bag it. At the end of the day, I feel better for it. So I’m making the challenge to everyone to do more than grunt and beat your chest. On your next outing say “Hi” or “’Sup homie” to everyone you see and see where the attitude meter lands at the end of the day.

Okay, that was the public service announcement; here’s the fishing: Eggs, san juans, pheasant tails, hare's ears and the Drift’s FOD are killing them. The Lower Ark is on! Cast anywhere that’s wet. The water is gin clear with green water beginning in three feet or deeper and trout are loving it. Watch for subtle takes and adjust your depth frequently. Present to everything and cover lots of water. Keep moving or let the water rest. One 3-foot-by-10-foot pool produced 20 quality trout because we gave it periodic breaks. On the way home, I got another report from the Martini hole downtown from a future Frostbite Fish-Off hall of famer that I’ll include.

"Three fish over 20" today. It was a weird day. It was slow for most of the morning and then we hit three big fish within an hour or so. If you want to use this pic for advertising, feel free! My fish porn is your fish porn!" :-)

-Jamie

Tight lines,

Ben