The blog team hasn’t fished together in a long time, given that some of us moved out of the Commonwealth. But we will meet up again in Maine this summer.

We had a ridiculously good time a few years ago, and I am looking forward to seeing the guys. I unfortunately had to leave early last time, as my FIL took a bad turn and actually passed away a few days after I got back home. Life: you cannot take it for granted.

Joe Drake had the best stories and made grilled venison burgers from an animal he had hunted (and a killer pineapple upside down cake). Bill Hager used to be on the team until he moved back to Georgia; his wife’s lasagna was a legend. Ashu Rao was such a versatile angler, hitting the fish at all levels of the water column. Jamie Carr led the way, as he had paid his dues over the years at that fishery. (More on us here.)

I am hoping to avoid nymphing and to hit the brookies with dries and streamers. To that end, I’ve tied up some Stimulators.

These took me forever to tie, as I am out of practice. I favor barbless hooks: clean hook sets without the nub of a pinched barb getting in the way, and they’re better for the fish. I’m using some colorful Angora Goat dubbing with the hope it won’t sink the flies.

I’m a huge fan of tying flies: it’s quite meditative. I also usually add a random wrinkle or two to see if I can give the fish a slightly different look. Most of the experiments fail, but I do find a hidden gem occasionally.

Jamie is the king of dries. I’m hoping he will give me some pointers!