Alex and I eschewed today’s weather forecast and fished the Farmington.
The rain was steady and cold and became heavier by the hour, but we kept at it. Alex is determined, and I knew I was in good company.
We had a great time. Alex ties some sweet flies, and it is no wonder that he landed a fish very quickly.
On the other hand, I flogged the water. And, flogged it. We hit a few spots, and I for a while wondered where all the fish were.
At one soft and bubbly stretch, I threw a NZ indicator and rotated through a bunch of flies with nary a take.
Curious, I took off the indicator, put on a new fly and decided to float the sighter. I greased it up and thought of the old adage: mix it up. In other words, if the fish aren’t taking, do something new.
Within a few casts, a good-looking brown said hello, and I was grateful to be on the board.
I then tightlined. Soon, there was a slight pause to my sighter and I set the hook. A ~12″ beautiful brown graced the net. Like the first fish, this one took a small fly.
So, I was near fish but it took a few change-ups to get takes.
In the end, that was it. It was a day that consisted of four hours of driving, seven hours of fishing, two takes and two fish.
But, I really enjoyed it.
Sometimes, fly fishing isn’t just about the fish. Over lunch at the Better Half Bistro, Alex and I agreed that fishing in inclement weather doesn’t bother us. There’s something about an outing that involves physical suffering. Let me tell you, it was cold and wet all day.
But, I felt that I earned the fish. And, Alex is a great angler and a fun person to be around.
Close to the river, on the way home, I stopped by the nearest DD for a hot coffee and coffee roll. After a long and cold outing, both tasted exquisite.
The drive home was tricky, as the rain became heavier, and my car hydro-planed twice.
Close to home, I stopped by the packy to pick up a tall one. That can may have been opened during the five-minute drive home. It may have tasted like the most refreshing thing ever after a long and arduous drive.
But, this blog can never, ever condone anything that breaks the law. Ever.
Cold rain and cold beer. A good combination. A cold one, either way.
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What are you wearing for gloves?
The Simms ExStream Flex. Don’t think they make them anymore, but you have the option to go fingerless with your thumb, fore finger and middle finger, to hold line and tie flies.
I picked up a pair of Oregon research mit/open finger gloves today from sams outfitters “thanks Santa” made of gore windstopper with magnets to hold the mit back. Hitting the water soon
Very innovative!
Props for getting out on a very tough day in January. I am glad you figured out what the browns would hit and connected. Both the Dunkin and Coors Light were well earned rewards in my opinion after enduring the cold rain.
On a nicer day than yesterday, I fished the Bondsville Swift for a couple of hours today. Wouldn’t you know it, I got a hit with the very first drift with a prince nymph anchor fly and small midge dropper. I can’t wade very far out with the current flow so my flies ended up right next to the bank at the end of the drift which is where the hit came from. A few head shakes and the trout was off, the only hit of the day.
I am sure there are other quiet next to the bank zones that hold fish now, but finding a place where I can wade to get flies into them is a different story with the 700 CFS flow.
Best, Sam
Great that you got out. That Swift current is a killer right now!
It is tough for me to find zones that I can wade, Jo. I look forward to the flow coming down, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.
You say Packy, you must be from the Boston area? I grew up in Stoneham Ma on the north shore and I moved to the other side on the state to the Berkshires 21 years ago. People out here don’t say packy and I haven’t heard that term for a liquor store in many years. You made me home sick for a minute…….Phil
Hi Phil, eastern Mass. has all sorts of idiosyncrasies!