Question:

For Sale: Ted Williams Sears Ice chest in original box with price tag and booklets. Taking offers. For photos please visit: http://205.160.242.2/~xenopus/tedwilliams.htm

Response:

For Sale: Ted Williams Sears Ice chest in original box with price tag and booklets. Taking offers. For photos please visit: http://205.160.242.2/~xenopus/tedwilliams.htm

That’s fucking twisted, son…

Response:

That’s fucking twisted, son…

NO, HE SAID IT WAS *ALUMINUM*, NOT "TWISTED, SON."   HTH. <g — Warren change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

Response:

That’s fucking twisted, son…

<snipped Was just watching the news and heard……. twisted indeed. — Warren change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

Response:

For Sale: Ted Williams Sears Ice chest in original box with price tag and booklets. Taking offers. For photos please visit: http://205.160.242.2/~xenopus/tedwilliams.htm

        damn you, vern, you have no mercy!! wayno

Response:

For Sale: Ted Williams Sears Ice chest in original box with price tag and booklets. Taking offers. For photos please visit: http://205.160.242.2/~xenopus/tedwilliams.htm That’s fucking twisted, son…

Maybe, but the man knows his frogs.  You run a good service, burley. Scott

Response:

Not as bad as selling DNA though….. Clark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For Sale: Ted Williams Sears Ice chest in original box with price tag and booklets. Taking offers. For photos please visit: http://205.160.242.2/~xenopus/tedwilliams.htm That’s fucking twisted, son… Maybe, but the man knows his frogs.  You run a good service, burley. Scott

Response:

If your interested, I could put you on to a Td Williams fly fishing outfit from sears…..never been used…. john

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For Sale: Ted Williams Sears Ice chest in original box with price tag and booklets. Taking offers. For photos please visit: http://205.160.242.2/~xenopus/tedwilliams.htm

Response:

Question:

OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question… What if you are fishing in a Gold Medal, C & R only trout stream and you catch a trout, bring it in, and it dies on you right in your hands? The author debates throwing it into the bushes or just letting it float down the river, but since it’s Gold Medal Water there is usually a crowd or wardens around and he’d get busted. He suggested making believe he was "reviving" the fish and digging a hole in the mud and putting some rocks on top of it.  He also made an observation that there seems to be a lot more rockpiles on Catch & Release waters than there used to be. I didn’t get to see the next issue to find out what the readers responses were, but it makes you think…. Dan Dow here http://www.angelfire.com/mac/dandow/kingfisher/homepage is my homepage… PS—found in Fly Rod & Reel Nov/Dec 1997

Response:

OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question…

Well, Dan the Man, this topic has been discussed ad nauseum here in the past, and I have no doubt that a Deja search of past ROFF posts for "C&R" will more than answer your question. My short opinion?   If the law says C&R, you’d better R.   There are, of course, more layers to be discussed, like why didn’t you bring it in fast enough to revive it?   Is it a foolish waste of a good fish to not eat it?   Blah, blah, blah, etc.   We been there, we done that. HTH, Joe F.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question… What if you are fishing in a Gold Medal, C & R only trout stream and you catch a trout, bring it in, and it dies on you right in your hands? The author debates throwing it into the bushes or just letting it float down the river, but since it’s Gold Medal Water there is usually a crowd or wardens around and he’d get busted. He suggested making believe he was "reviving" the fish and digging a hole in the mud and putting some rocks on top of it.  He also made an observation that there seems to be a lot more rockpiles on Catch & Release waters than there used to be. I didn’t get to see the next issue to find out what the readers responses were, but it makes you think…. Dan Dow here http://www.angelfire.com/mac/dandow/kingfisher/homepage is my homepage… PS—found in Fly Rod & Reel Nov/Dec 1997

_____  Japanese always carry a razor sharp knife.  The rock piles are empty bottles of Soy Sauce. — Mr.Gink "the saga continues"   http://www.gink.com/

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question… Well, Dan the Man, this topic has been discussed ad nauseum here in the past, and I have no doubt that a Deja search of past ROFF posts for "C&R" will more than answer your question. My short opinion?   If the law says C&R, you’d better R.   There are, of course, more layers to be discussed, like why didn’t you bring it in fast enough to revive it?   Is it a foolish waste of a good fish to not eat it?   Blah, blah, blah, etc.   We been there, we done that. HTH, Joe F.

OTOH, you could ask the question in the political thread which candidate should be C&R’d and which one should be C&K’d.  That way all the bullshit could be contained in one thread.  Neat, eh? Peter = always striving to be helpful

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Question:

There has been some pretty good fishing on the flats behind the mangroves a little farther south if you like light tackle action. Just remember that the bays tend to be a mile wide and a foot deep so bring a good pole.

Response:

Gary, I’m taking my 27′ cruiser to Islamorado this coming Saturday for a week. Any comments on places to go or places to avoid while there? Thanks, TT

If you are passing by Miami, Dinner Key is a cool place to overnight. Pennekanmp is fun to dive at the Christ statue 25 07 3 . 80 17 8. In Islamorada: Holiday Isle is nut’s on the weekend  but fun. The World Wide Sportsman is the coolest store I’ve ever been in. Cool bar too. Good luck. Have fun….. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." …I said that

Response:

Well yeah….. Baca Grand now.

Is Boca Grande mainly tarpon?  And what would you consider the basic needs to tarpon fish there?  I hear you can land up to 200# ones. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach

– While Genius and Stupidity have a lot in common.. One important difference to note is that Genius has its limits. Before you buy.

Response:

Is Boca Grande mainly tarpon?  

No, But this time of year you’ll have a good chance of getting a big fish. And what would you consider the basic needs to tarpon fish there?

A guide the first time out.  Call Capt. Pete http://www.floridaflyfishing.com or try  http://www.bocagrandefishing.com/ The Pass is no place for beginers. It’s crowded and dangerous. You’ll also need an extra hand to run the boat. You can fish them off the beach on live/cutbait/ artificials /fly. I would suggest Johnson Shoals off Cayo Costa just south of the pass. I jumped a 125+ fish  (on fly) over Memorial day while drifting Captiva Pass. The fish came close to jumping in the boat. Scared the crap out of me. If you want to stay there, try the condos at the north end of the island. It’s my favorite place in the state. Have fun. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." …I said that

Response:

Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next.

Well yeah….. Baca Grand now. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." I said that

Response:

Gary, I’m taking my 27′ cruiser to Islamorado this coming Saturday for a week. Any comments on places to go or places to avoid while there? Thanks, TT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next. Well yeah….. Baca Grand now. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." I said that

Response:

 I have been researching and planning for a few years and this weekend have finally landed the right boat for the right price.  I live in North Central FL and want to know the places to go and things to do with my new boat.  I have a Proline 190 CC with a 150hp Johnson. I have heard that Cumberland Island is a nice trip, Caladesi Island is nice.  I know that scalloping season starts up in July.  And have fished out of Cedar Key numerous times with friends. Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next. — While Genius and Stupidity have a lot in common.. One important difference to note is that Genius has its limits. Before you buy.

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Question:

I like mine. The scale is hard to read though. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

Response:

Personally, as a salmon and steelhead guide,  I’d say no way to the Boga Grip … any of the bigger fish species will slip their vertebrae being held vertically out of the water … imagine yourself being hung with all your weight by the lip … ‘nuf sed I’ll bet … — Bob Ball Bob’s Piscatorial Pursuits Alaska / Washington Salmon, Steelhead, and Halibut Fishing http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com "If it’s wild, let it go!"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – so i would never lift them by the lip, since tailing them usually works just fine. hope that helps, chris I would have thought that tailing them would remove more meniscus (there’s that word again)…where as a proper lip doesn’t bind or twist the jaw at all……I’ve never heard any pros or cons on this….will I

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Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) using the BogaGrip in flyfishing applications?  Obviously we like it (biased opinion), but we have heard very little about it in the flyfishing world. Would appreciate some comment. — Will West Lionheart Fishing Safari http://www.lionheartsafari.com

Response:

Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) using the BogaGrip in flyfishing applications?  Obviously we like it (biased opinion), but we have heard very little about it in the flyfishing world. Would appreciate some comment.

i like mine alot for holding black rockfish and lingcod in the saltwater… they’re also great for holding fish while you cut their gills to bleed them.  for species like salmon and steelhead, i don’t like for them to even leave the water, so i would never lift them by the lip, since tailing them usually works just fine. hope that helps, chris

Response:

so i would never lift them by the lip, since tailing them usually works just fine. hope that helps, chris

I would have thought that tailing them would remove more meniscus  (there’s that word again)…where as a proper lip doesn’t bind or twist the jaw at all……I’ve never heard any pros or cons on this….will I

Response:

I bought my Boga Grip from Lion Heart Safari and am very very satisfied with it.  Although I do not flyfish but surfcast, all wading and the Boga Grip is underwater the whole time, it works flawlessly.  Just a rinse with freshwater after each trip and that’s all I do to it.  It is great for handling bluefish and striped bass. Richie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) using the BogaGrip in flyfishing applications?  Obviously we like it (biased opinion), but we have heard very little about it in the flyfishing world. Would appreciate some comment. — Will West Lionheart Fishing Safari http://www.lionheartsafari.com

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Question:

Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

 Hi Mark.  Bingham area is in Northwestern Maine.  We have many small remote ponds, terrific rivers including the Kennebec and the Dead Rivers, and Wyman Lake.  Check out www.pinegrovelodge.com!  Good luck fishing!

Response:

Hi Mike Hit the Rangeley Lakes Region. In fact give Ray Miller a shout at region and he’ll set you straight. One of his favorite streamers is a Blue Smelt casting streamer. He had me tie him a couple dozen last summer. http://www.kynd.com/~ronmcq/index.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

Response:

Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

Response:

Mark, There is some terrific fly fishing in western Maine. My top picks in priority order are: 1. Rapid River 2. Big Magalloway river above lake Parmachene 3. Kennebago River 4. Rangeley River 5. Cupsuptic river Toss in a tripto Quimby pond and you have a great trip. tight lines, Gerry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

Response:

Question:

I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months.

I had my left knee done last October, the right one done in December and was on the water again in April. Had the lakes been open, I might have been fishing even sooner – the Doc told me a kickboat would be excellent  therapy. In any case,  good luck with the surgery. Regards, Dennis Smith Loveland, CO Dennis Smith Loveland, CO

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months. Mike

 Mike, Here’s wishing you a successful visit to the hospital, and get over it quickly. Good luck. Regards from Wales. — Bill

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months. Mike

– Mike, Good luck with your surgery and we’ll be sure to save some fish fer ya… –Walt

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months.  All of you flyfishing nuts will have to make sure and post your adventures to the newsgroup so that I can at least read about flyfishing. All was not lost for the year, I did get the opportunity to catch a 20 pound Rainbow Trout two weeks ago.  Definetly the highlight of my fishing life. Unfortunately, August was the wrong month to get the Gerrard’s in Kootenay Lake on a fly rod so will have to go back in April or May and attempt to get one. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your Summer! Mike

Mike: Sorry to hear about the knee problems. What kind of reconstruction are you having?  I had patellar graft reconstruction on my left knee 6 years ago and have been *extremely* happy with the result. You might even find that you could still get some fishing in this season.  By three months post-op, I was doing a lot of the things I wanted to, just being careful. Best of luck to you.  It is amazing what they can do to repair things these days. Bob

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months.  All of you flyfishing nuts will have to make sure and post your adventures to the newsgroup so that I can at least read about flyfishing.   All was not lost for the year, I did get the opportunity to catch a 20 pound Rainbow Trout two weeks ago.  Definetly the highlight of my fishing life. Unfortunately, August was the wrong month to get the Gerrard’s in Kootenay Lake on a fly rod so will have to go back in April or May and attempt to get one. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your Summer! Mike

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Thanks very much, Dan Please reply to group

Dan, This time of the year you want to fish very early or very late in the day….most trout I know take long siestas when the water warms up during the day. The patterns you are using are fine…I might add a black ant and a yellow sally to your arsenal. Good luck…. –Walt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before?

Hi! Tremont should be good early in the morning or late at night. I stay away from the lower portion of Deep Creek this time of the year, due to all  the tourists and tubers. Go above Indian creek. Also try West prong of Little River while you are over in that area. Go backcountry away from Laurel creek rd. Try a Thunderhead dry, it’s a NC pattern that’s very similar to an Adams Wulff. Hans

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Hi! Tremont should be good early in the morning or late at night. I stay away from the lower portion of Deep Creek this time of the year, due to all  the tourists and tubers. Go above Indian creek. Also try West prong of Little River while you are over in that area. Go backcountry away from Laurel creek rd. Try a Thunderhead dry, it’s a NC pattern that’s very similar to an Adams Wulff. Hans

I fished Deep Creek a coupla years ago and ran across a native of the area who was having great luck on a parachute Adams morning and late afternoon.  I might add that he was quite stealthy and could read water very well.

Response:

I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before?

Response:

Thanks to all who replied to my original post.  Your advice will be very helpful.  I plan to spend the next couple of days on Deep Creek, so I will try to give you a report (to the group) next week.   Thanks again, Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Hi! Tremont should be good early in the morning or late at night. I stay away from the lower portion of Deep Creek this time of the year, due to all  the tourists and tubers. Go above Indian creek. Also try West prong of Little River while you are over in that area. Go backcountry away from Laurel creek rd. Try a Thunderhead dry, it’s a NC pattern that’s very similar to an Adams Wulff. Hans I fished Deep Creek a coupla years ago and ran across a native of the area who was having great luck on a parachute Adams morning and late afternoon.  I might add that he was quite stealthy and could read water very well.

Response:

I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Thanks very much, Dan Please reply to group

Response:

Question:

I have not seen a post on hex type rods. Has/does anyone use one? What is the action like? Why do  you prefer it? Thanks Michael

Response:

Hexagraph rods have a sweet medium to medium fast action.  They are strikingly similar in appearance to bamboo and typically much faster and not as pricey either. Tom www.kinghill.com Best regards,   TK       King of the Hill Fly Fishing Co. http://www.kinghill.com/kinghill

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Question:

Green line sounds like a Cortland model.  Good luck.

Response:

: It’s mine.  I lost it in 1993.  Please drop it in the mail and I’ll send : you the postage by return mail.  Thanks. : Rick Nice try Rick, I suppose my story will get a similar response!

Response:

Don’t laugh I’m serious. I have a 7′ fly rod that I found at a drainage ditch a few years back. I had not used it until recently and have found that I really enjoy fly fishing. The reel is aluminum and it has some green line that looks like a nylon mesh with a plastic coating and a metal loop at the end to tie leader. However, it is starting to show signs of wear. I have looked for replacement line at some local stores but nothing seems comparable in weight and consistency of the green line. Does anyone have any ideas as to what kind of line this is and where I might be able to get more? Also, I have read quite a bit of posts in this group about equipment, but, not much on fly selection and presentation. What are some of the more successful flys and presentations for trout in small streams? Thanks in advance for your theories, suggestions and knowledge.

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Question:

Well, Merry Christmas, Paul! I too, had the good fortune to catch a few Christmas Trout a couple days early.  We had the same balmy weather in Iowa. Let’s hope it returns in January so we can get another cast at our slippery friends. Happy New Year to all! Jim Elias Blue Grass, IA h.y.m.r. Jim Elias Blue Grass IA H.Y.M.R.

Response:

Tell me about Iowa Fly Fishing.  I’m from Omaha, NE.

Response:

  Santa brought me some very hungry cutthroat trout.  The Bighorn is a great fall/winter fishing river, if you don’y mind getting cold.

Response:

Oh my, your story warms my heart.  I spent the few days off practicing 8wt. lines on 6wt. rods (see other article), dropping flies on hard ice. Also working on the side casts.  City boys gotta dream during down time… Good luck on the Spring thaw. Tom  

Response:

Those of us in the Northeast USA were blessed with some outrageously balmy weather (about 45 – 55 degrees where I am) around Christmas.  With two days off before I had to travel, what else was there to do but try to catch a December trout, something which for me is a rare and wondrous thing…no spring creeks or tailwaters in the immediate vicinity.   The water was in good shape thanks to the melting snow.  Ice covered much of the slower portion of the pool I had chosen to fish, but the feeding lane was still open, and I was hoping that I could pick up a fish by bouncing a stonefly nymph along the bottom.  A few minutes of uneventful casting went by, and then what to my wondering eyes should appear but a trout head breaking the water across the stream from me, tight against the spot where a log and the bank made a break in the current.  I never would have expected to see a rising fish in this creek in late December, but careful observation showed that he was definitely on the feed, rising about once every minute or so.  From the rise form I guessed he was eating midges, but I couldn’t see any on the water so I figured a midge pupa pattern fished in the film would do the trick.  I tied a #16 White Wulff to the end of my 6X tippet, then tied a length of 7X to the bend of the hook; to this I attached a #24 pupa pattern I tie with a black thread body, gold wire rib, and peacock herl head.  I rose that fish three times, but was so excited that each time he came up behind my Wulff "strike indicator" I struck way too early…I kept telling myself to wait until I saw the Wulff move but just couldn’t control my hair-trigger nerves. Finally my fish (for by this time I had decided he was mine) stopped rising.  I switched back to my nymph rig, and lo and behold on the first cast near the log my strike indicator paused and I struck back, more out of surprise than anything.  Sure enough, there was my Christmas trout, a 12 inch brookie, and after a careful fight I had him, cold and firm and healthy, lit up like a salmonid Christmas tree.  A short pause to twist the hook free and to admire the contrast between my dark fish and the winter landscape around me, and then I let him go, watching him swim slowly back to his lair beneath the log.  There were other likely looking spots beckoning downstream, but I decided to preserve this happy moment by reeling up, getting out of the water, and strolling back to the car through the quiet, snow covered woods.  Christmas was on its way. Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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