I was feeling pretty good about things on Saturday morning. The temperature was 13 °F when I started fishing the Swift River, but I was armed with my winter fly-fishing essentials and felt comfortable.
Trout were willing to take flies. Old flies worked. New flies did not. Tightlining rocked. Indicator nymphing completely failed.
The action was quite steady, and there were some aggressive takes from larger fish, which was fun. Amazingly, there was no ice build-up on my micro-thin Euronymphing leader.
Soon, a good-sized ‘bow crushed a dropper fly and tore far downstream amidst the strong current. I couldn’t chase it, but, slowly, I was able to edge it up and get it above me.
As I was sliding it into the net, I heard a loud snap sound and knew the inevitable had happened again. My fly rod broke. Luckily, I still landed the fish.
Of course, this was the only outing I can remember for which I had not stowed a second fly rod for insurance. As I loaded gear into the car Friday night, I decided to bring just the one. “What are the odds?,” I had thought.
Oh, the irony.
But, all was not lost. It felt great to power through the cold and see some beautiful trout. And, rather than sulk, I decided to brush it off. I reeled up. I visited Cabela’s on the way home and hit Blue Ribbon BBQ for lunch.
It is easy to get down when fly fishing isn’t perfect, or, on good days, to get a bit greedy. I don’t want to be that angler. I want to be the guy who is just happy to be fishing, as opposed to the person who is surrounded by beautiful scenery…and is frustrated or pissed off.
Thankfully, looking at aisles of fishing gear and eating BBQ more than made up for the snapped rod and short outing. The staff at Cabela’s was helpful and cheerful. The St. Louis ribs were succulent and moist.
Life was good.
Regardless of our particular circumstances at any moment in time, whether we are happy or sad, feeling satisfied or owed, starting that day with a glass half-full or half-empty, it is a real blessing to be on the water, no matter how brief.
A happy holiday season to one and all….
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Sorry for the break. Was this your T&T? Second time? Any ideas as to why?
Yes, yes and no. Was just sliding the fish into the net. My Sage ESN snapped, too, one time. I think it is par for the course with long Euro rods. The Contact has a lot of mileage on it at this point and is still my favorite fly rod. $55 repair fee is reasonable to me.
I’d be interested in the gory details too…
I wonder if fly rod materials get more brittle in the cold?
Great question. I asked T&T. They said that yes, statistically, the odds of tips breaking are higher when it is freezing out.
I’m sorry to hear about your rod Jo. I broke one of my favorite LL Bean rods last April, so I feel your pain. How’s the warranty program for T&T?
Ashu, it’s $55 for the repair. Very reasonable.
Yeah, that sounds pretty good!
Sorry about the rod break. It happens. Snapped my Trela-Sage 1-wt. last Feb. on the Swift as I was cleaning ice from the guides; guess I just bent it too much to reach the tip-top, even though I had done that several times that winter. But I keep my Cabela’s 5-piece 3-wt. travel rod in the trunk at all times. Not only has it saved outings, but this allowed me a couple spontaneous fishing opportunities when I hadn’t planned on fishing; was just near water with other plans and fish were rising and were soon hooked. I had no waders, vest, or the rest of the necessary paraphernalia, but I keep a lanyard with nippers, hemostat, tippet, and small fly box in the trunk, also.
Great strategy!
I agree. I usually keep rods in my car during the peak season. Certainly I’ve gotten in small 15-30 minute trips when I hadn’t planned or expected. I don’t have any back ups yet, however and that came back to bite me hard when my 5 ft 3wt broke during a small stream outing.
As a followup – Did the rod break in the same spot as previously? I am really curious as to why both broke before I take the plunge into purchasing a T&T for 2019. I have fished one of Grady’s, love it, and it will be an upgrade to my ESN.
No. These things happen. My ESN snapped too.