Question:

I was given my first fly rod …. a cheap cane one bought at Sears …. a Ted Williams or something, as I recall I took it to Yellowstone in 1970 on vacation and caught my first fly caught trout …. and it changed my life. What was the "value" of that old "cheap, give away’ rod?     To me, it has been priceless …. the rod, itself is long gone…. but, what it started grows faster each passing year… a love of trout, fly fishing, and the places both require About 20 years ago I gave a ‘kid" that worked for me an old Fenwick glass fly rod, I had "advanced" to graphite.    To make a long story short, he got hooked, went to school in fisheries biology, and now works for  Fish and Game.    I just got a phone call from him, to tell me where the ducks and geese where at, in case I wanted a good hunt, in a little known spot. The value of the old glass rod?…. well, what is somehing that points a young person towards a good career worth?  What is an "insider" phone call worth when the fishing gets hot?… I get several a year because of that rod. A number of  years ago, a fellow, then in his 80’s,  that I barely knew gave me an E.C. Powell rod and told me it’s history.  To my "why me?" he answered, " I saw you fishing Silver Creek, and it’s rare to see a person enjoying the sport that much, I walked by you within feet and you never even noticed, you were totally absorbed, in your fishing.   The rod comes with a requirement …do no ‘collect’ this rod.   I’m giving it to you becasue I want it FISHED, not collected." I do fish it, too, a few times each year.  It could be "collected"…  Walton Powell, wanted it for his collection when he was still alive.   But, when I get to the point where I can’t fish it, you will see me walking the banks, looking for the right person to pass it on to …. and he will be told to fish it, not collect it. Got an old rod, that you don’t really use?  Consider giving it to a "kid" …. even if it’s "just a rod" to you, it won’t be to him, if it gets him out on the streams Got a valuable collectors item …. at least consider fishing it, now and then.   Imho, that is the best way to honor it’s maker

Response:

  A number of  years ago, a fellow, then in his 80’s,  that I barely knew gave me an E.C. Powell rod and told me it’s history.  To my "why me?" he answered, " I saw you fishing Silver Creek, and it’s rare to see a person enjoying the sport that much, I walked by you within feet and you never even noticed, you were totally absorbed, in your fishing.   The rod comes with a requirement …do no ‘collect’ this rod.   I’m giving it to you becasue I want it FISHED, not collected."

Your settings are right on the mark, Larry.

Response:

Larry, Were you born on March 25th 1945 ? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com   I was given my first fly rod …. a cheap cane one bought at Sears …. a Ted Williams or something, as I recall   I took it to Yellowstone in 1970 on vacation and caught my first fly caught trout …. and it changed my life.   What was the "value" of that old "cheap, give away’ rod?     To me, it has been priceless …. the rod, itself is long gone…. but, what it started grows faster each passing year… a love of trout, fly fishing, and the places both require   About 20 years ago I gave a ‘kid" that worked for me an old Fenwick glass fly rod, I had "advanced" to graphite.    To make a long story short, he got hooked, went to school in fisheries biology, and now works for  Fish and Game.    I just got a phone call from him, to tell me where the ducks and geese where at, in case I wanted a good hunt, in a little known spot.   The value of the old glass rod?…. well, what is somehing that points a young person towards a good career worth?  What is an "insider" phone call worth when the fishing gets hot?… I get several a year because of that rod.   A number of  years ago, a fellow, then in his 80’s,  that I barely knew gave me an E.C. Powell rod and told me it’s history.  To my "why me?" he answered, " I saw you fishing Silver Creek, and it’s rare to see a person enjoying the sport that much, I walked by you within feet and you never even noticed, you were totally absorbed, in your fishing.   The rod comes with a requirement …do no ‘collect’ this rod.   I’m giving it to you becasue I want it FISHED, not collected."   I do fish it, too, a few times each year.  It could be "collected"…  Walton Powell, wanted it for his collection when he was still alive.   But, when I get to the point where I can’t fish it, you will see me walking the banks, looking for the right person to pass it on to …. and he will be told to fish it, not collect it.   Got an old rod, that you don’t really use?  Consider giving it to a "kid" …. even if it’s "just a rod" to you, it won’t be to him, if it gets him out on the streams   Got a valuable collectors item …. at least consider fishing it, now and then.   Imho, that is the best way to honor it’s maker

Response:

  Larry,   Were you born on March 25th 1945 ?   —   ahhh…pretty close…right age group, for sure.   but, I don’t know the significance of that date … am I being dumber than my normal, very dumb, self ???  

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Question:

Hi, I will be travelling to Denver in 2 weeks for business and will have some free evenings. What rivers are reasonably close? Where can I look for stream reports? Thanks, John.

Response:

In mid-June, we will still have runoff. Your best bets are stillwaters such as Quincy Reservoir or Aurora Reservoir, east of Denver. Both offer good shorline fishing. Quincy is flies and lures only, and is part of the parks department of the city of Aurora. There is always a ranger at Quincy from sunrise to sunset. If you do a search, you may find the phone number for his building at Quincy, and then ask for a report. Also, go to http://www.dnr.state.co.us/wildlife/fishing/fishco nd.html Good luck, Jerry D. Hi, I will be travelling to Denver in 2 weeks for

business and will have some free evenings. What rivers are reasonably

close? Where can I look for stream reports? Thanks, John.

Before you buy.

Response:

I will be travelling to Denver in 2 weeks for business and will have some free evenings. What rivers are reasonably close? Where can I look for stream reports?

There are a few good opportunities around Denver for evening fishing.  However, "reasonably close" is going to depend on where you are staying, since you will have to contend with rush-hour(s) traffic.

Response:

 The South Platte upstream from Chatfield resorvoir is fishable. South Platte River – (Deckers) Current flow at 150 CFS; dropping; fishing well; good trout action reported; seeing some midge and BWO hatches; best action on Olive Pheasant Tail, Brassie, Flashback Pheasant Tail, sparkle Midge and RS2 fly patterns. http://www.bluequillangler.com/stream.html —  Don Thompson  Zoomie(BushBug)  ACA#3460  TLCB#335  Any Time, Any Place  Pull the chocks, lets get this kite in the air.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I will be travelling to Denver in 2 weeks for business and will have some free evenings. What rivers are reasonably close? Where can I look for stream reports? Thanks, John.

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Question:

Hello there, I’m scheduled to spend a couple of weeks near London on work assignment. I’m very interested in any advice you may have for fly fishing in this area. Any and all suggestions are welcome!! Thanks, John Erskine

Response:

I’m scheduled to spend a couple of weeks near London on work assignment. I’m very interested in any advice you may have for fly fishing in this area. Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

Surprisingly good fishing is available near London, as many of the classic chalk streams (Test, Itchen, Bourne, Lambourne, etc.) are within a 90 minute drive west-southwest of the city in Hampshire. Isaak Walton, for example, is buried in Winchester cathedral.  There’s a small chapel where he lies, with stained glass scenes of the apostles fishing, intermixed with scenes of the master himself.  If you hit my website, address below, you can read an account of my trip last year. The problem, of course, is that virtually all of the water is private, controlled either by private land-owners or clubs.  You’ll have to at least pay a rod fee, and probably need to hire a guide, at least to begin. My fishing was arranged by: William Daniel, some of the best water in the area. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Question:

I will be in the Pocatello, Idaho area in the next couple of weeks, and was wondering if someone could point me to some fly fishing streams. I won’t have a lot of time, so the closer the better.

Response:

Try Portneuf River near Bancroft (just below Chesterfield Reservoir – in fact, try the reservoir) – 1 hour east, Fort Hall Bottoms spring creeks- 40 min north, South Fork Snake River – 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours north, Henry’s Fork – 2 hours north, Silver Creek – 2 hours northwest, or a horde of reservoirs within an hour and a half south and east. Stop in at Jimmy’s All Seasons Angler in Pocatello for the latest info. Lance Hankins – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in the Pocatello, Idaho area in the next couple of weeks, and was wondering if someone could point me to some fly fishing streams. I won’t have a lot of time, so the closer the better.

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Question:

I mostly soak power bait in the High Sierras, but was always inquisitive about surface fishing. We stay at Silver Lake Resorts about 40 yards from Silver Lake near the boat launch area. (June Loop)  From our cabin you can see the lake and the trout are jumping like crazy first thing in the morning. Obviously they are surface feeding. I was thinking of using a clear plastic bubble with a little bit of water (for casting distance) with a 6 to 8 foot leader and some kind of fly or other bug..  Or 1/8 oz. Kastmaster with spots or Gold Panther Martin.  Have always excelled in soaking bait, but never really got into lures or surface fishing.  Any help would be really appreciated a.s.a.p. as we are leaving the 12th of September. Thx Garry     Good fishin’

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I mostly soak power bait in the High Sierras, but was always inquisitive about surface fishing. We stay at Silver Lake Resorts about 40 yards from Silver Lake near the boat launch area. (June Loop)  From our cabin you can see the lake and the trout are jumping like crazy first thing in the morning. Obviously they are surface feeding. I was thinking of using a clear plastic bubble with a little bit of water (for casting distance) with a 6 to 8 foot leader and some kind of fly or other bug..  Or 1/8 oz. Kastmaster with spots or Gold Panther Martin.  Have always excelled in soaking bait, but never really got into lures or surface fishing.  Any help would be really appreciated a.s.a.p. as we are leaving the 12th of September. Thx Garry     Good fishin’

A lure that I’ve had excellent results with is the Panther Martin in all silver.  Silver body, silver blade.  It works great.  Use the smaller sizes.   Good luck.   =)

Response:

A lure that I’ve had excellent results with is the Panther Martin in all silver.  Silver body, silver blade.  It works great.  Use the smaller sizes.   Good luck.   =)

I havent had much luck with silver but gold blade w/gold or black bodys definately catch sierra planter trout. Dunno about surface fishing, I leave that for the fly guys. But I will occasionally mess with the bubble float fly rig with some luck. I wonder if trout will take topwater plugs? stev — stev_ix_netcom_com is a fake. Sorry, Im tired of all the crap I get in the mail.    

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Question:

I have a friend going to Yellowstone in the end of August.  I would appreciate any recent information on the road construction in the area, its effects, where the construction is, etc.                 Thanks and tight lines!

Hi I came through fished Yellowstone two weeks ago and the construction was between Madison Junction and Old Faithful. It did restrict access to the Firehole but the section of road nearest Old Faithful was complete and access there was ok. Also the Yellowstone season opened and it is available. Don’t pass up the Gibbon river both above and below the falls. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

I have a friend going to Yellowstone in the end of August.  I would appreciate any recent information on the road construction in the area, its effects, where the construction is, etc.                                     Thanks and tight lines!

Response:

I have a friend going to Yellowstone in the end of August.  I would appreciate any recent information on the road construction in the area, its effects, where the construction is, etc.                 Thanks and tight lines!

Try this site; it’s got current road conditions, closures etc. http://www.nps.gov/yell/

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I have a friend going to Yellowstone in the end of August.  I would appreciate any recent information on the road construction in the area, its effects, where the construction is, etc.                 Thanks and tight lines!

The park service has a page at http://www.nps.gov/yell/roadinfo.htm that gives road information.

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Question:

Of course, I haven’t fished California that often at all.  Maybe twice in my life.  Your trails are just too chucked full of broken rods.  ;)    - Just kiddin, just kiddin!

That’s cuz when we break a rod, we just Chuck it! Charley

Response:

Gosh, but it works for me just fine.  Your bushes are THAT thick there, huh?  I never find it probable enough to change directions with ‘that many’ hang-ups Charlie.  I frankly would rather do it this way than stumble forward onto a rod or jamming the tip into exactly what you don’t like . . . thick bushes.  What I do, if and when on those rare occassions it IS that thick, is the rod simply is dangling on my finger-tips.  It it hangs up it pulls enough for me to stop immediately and wiggle it loose.

I almost always carry mine with rod tip trailing, with a loose grip, for the same reasons GG mentions.  If the brush is very thick and the trail meanders (like willow thickets), I somtimes carry the rod pointing straight up.  I rarely carry it tip first; too easy to snap a rod.  Also, when traveling on a hillside, the rod should always be carried on the downhill side.  That way, if your feet slide out from under you, you won’t fall on your rod and ruin your day. Charlie Quinton

Response:

Always walk down a trail with your rod butt in your hand and your rod trailing after. It is then a simple matter to unhook your upper fly and bingo! You already have enought line to cast and feed out. Mr. Gink

George,         I was with you right up to here.  In the pacific north west and California, it’s just too damn brushy for this.  I always carry my rod so I can see the tip and keep it out of trouble.  Invariably, when I try to trail it behind an eye or the line catches on a branch, and I end up retracing my steps to get it unwound.  Nice theory, haven’t gotten it to work here. Charley

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Always walk down a trail with your rod butt in your hand and your rod trailing after. It is then a simple matter to unhook your upper fly and bingo! You already have enought line to cast and feed out. Mr. Gink George,         I was with you right up to here.  In the pacific north west and California, it’s just too damn brushy for this.  I always carry my rod so I can see the tip and keep it out of trouble.  Invariably, when I try to trail it behind an eye or the line catches on a branch, and I end up retracing my steps to get it unwound.  Nice theory, haven’t gotten it to work here. Charley

thick there, huh?  I never find it probable enough to change directions with ‘that many’ hang-ups Charlie.  I frankly would rather do it this way than stumble forward onto a rod or jamming the tip into exactly what you don’t like . . . thick bushes.  What I do, if and when on those rare occassions it IS that thick, is the rod simply is dangling on my finger-tips.  It it hangs up it pulls enough for me to stop immediately and wiggle it loose.  I simply just don’t get hung up that often Chuck to worry about it.  Of course, I haven’t fished California that often at all.  Maybe twice in my life.  Your trails are just too chucked full of broken rods.  ;)    - Just kiddin, just kiddin!

Response:

I have to admit, I’m in the ‘hold the rod forward’ school myself…I have read and been told that this is not the best way, but when I tally the thing behind me, I always ball it up on the bushes like Charley.   TimW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Always walk down a trail with your rod butt in your hand and your rod trailing after. It is then a simple matter to unhook your upper fly and bingo! You already have enought line to cast and feed out. Mr. Gink George,         I was with you right up to here.  In the pacific north west and California, it’s just too damn brushy for this.  I always carry my rod so I can see the tip and keep it out of trouble.  Invariably, when I try to trail it behind an eye or the line catches on a branch, and I end up retracing my steps to get it unwound.  Nice theory, haven’t gotten it to work here. Charley thick there, huh?  I never find it probable enough to change directions with ‘that many’ hang-ups Charlie.  I frankly would rather do it this way than stumble forward onto a rod or jamming the tip into exactly what you don’t like . . . thick bushes.  What I do, if and when on those rare occassions it IS that thick, is the rod simply is dangling on my finger-tips.  It it hangs up it pulls enough for me to stop immediately and wiggle it loose.  I simply just don’t get hung up that often Chuck to worry about it.  Of course, I haven’t fished California that often at all.  Maybe twice in my life.  Your trails are just too chucked full of broken rods.  ;)    - Just kiddin, just kiddin!

Response:

Two comments: 1. Rain forests of Pacific Northwest sometimes limit this method when bushwacking to the next pool. I often have to take the rod down to avoid breakage when working through foilage with jungle like characteristics. This applies to about 5% of my fishing. Otherwise it works. 2. DO NOT BEND THE END OF THE ROD when doing this. You can break it. There is a tendancy to pull the line from the reel end when hooking the guide. Rather one should pull the line straight out from the tip. Next time you have a fish on (or are snagged) look at the last foot or so of your rod. You will notice it is straight, while the rest of the rod bends. B.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going to move to a different fishing location? Or walk down a trail with your flyline? Here is a tip on how to string up your leader and flyline for travel. Take the fly and do not hook it on the fly guide. This is a waste of time. Rather, take your fly and hook it about two or three guides below the Rod Tip. Bring your hand back on the loop and and loop your leader/flyline around the reel housing and then reel up the remaining slack. What this does, when done correctly is keep your leader out of the tip guide. Here is how it should look. Your fly line comes out of the tip, changes into your leader which goes directly down to and around your reel and back up to your fly which is hooked in a guide up near your rod tip. Always walk down a trail with your rod butt in your hand and your rod trailing after. It is then a simple matter to unhook your upper fly and bingo! You already have enought line to cast and feed out. Mr. Gink

Hi George, I’ve used this system for years and you are right it’s a great way transport a "rigged rod."  Also it keeps you, your friends, or clients from ending up with a fly hook snagged in the carry hand.  I can’t tell you the number of time each year I get to remove hooks from clients hands who chose to use the hook keeper rather than the system you suggest. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

Going to move to a different fishing location? Or walk down a trail with your flyline? Here is a tip on how to string up your leader and flyline for travel. Take the fly and do not hook it on the fly guide. This is a waste of time. Rather, take your fly and hook it about two or three guides below the Rod Tip. Bring your hand back on the loop and and loop your leader/flyline around the reel housing and then reel up the remaining slack. What this does, when done correctly is keep your leader out of the tip guide. Here is how it should look. Your fly line comes out of the tip, changes into your leader which goes directly down to and around your reel and back up to your fly which is hooked in a guide up near your rod tip. Always walk down a trail with your rod butt in your hand and your rod trailing after. It is then a simple matter to unhook your upper fly and bingo! You already have enought line to cast and feed out.

Two comments: – check the reel foot before you do this – many have quite sharp corners and will definitely eat into the leader. All of my CFO’s (which use a machined reel foot) needed a light touchup with a bit of sandpaper to take the edge off them (most of my Hardy’s needed a similar buffing job). – most flyfisherpeople I know have been doing this for decades… Cheers! /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.       Alpha Server Engineering < < Parker Street Campus            Maynard, Massachusetts   < <        Charter Member of "Curmudgeons Unlimited"       < <<<<<<<<<<<< AMA 548313 <<<<<<<<<<<< Disclaimer: Opinion and content is mine alone, and unlikely             to be shared by my employer, etc…

Response:

Going to move to a different fishing location? Or walk down a trail with your flyline? Here is a tip on how to string up your leader and flyline for travel. Take the fly and do not hook it on the fly guide. This is a waste of time. Rather, take your fly and hook it about two or three guides below the Rod Tip. Bring your hand back on the loop and and loop your leader/flyline around the reel housing and then reel up the remaining slack. What this does, when done correctly is keep your leader out of the tip guide. Here is how it should look. Your fly line comes out of the tip, changes into your leader which goes directly down to and around your reel and back up to your fly which is hooked in a guide up near your rod tip. Always walk down a trail with your rod butt in your hand and your rod trailing after. It is then a simple matter to unhook your upper fly and bingo! You already have enought line to cast and feed out. Mr. Gink

Response:

Question:

Can any one tell me about the Boston Whaler Commercial model Boats. I’m Looking for a boat for flyfishing. Primary use is on the Cheasapeake Bay and Tributaries. Need Opinions on the the Whaler model:"Ultility 17" Seems like a good boat for shallow as well as deeper water. Owners please respond! Thanks Nick DelleDonne "The Evening Rise Fly Angler’s Shop" Intercourse, PA 17534

Response:

Can any one tell me about the Boston Whaler Commercial model Boats. I’m Looking for a boat for flyfishing. Primary use is on the Cheasapeake Bay and Tributaries. Need Opinions on the the Whaler model:"Ultility 17" Seems like a good boat for shallow as well as deeper water. Owners please respond! Thanks Nick DelleDonne "The Evening Rise Fly Angler’s Shop" Intercourse, PA 17534

It’s a nicely made and finished boat. Good for shallow and deep water, but it rides *very* hard. As in, bounce-bounce-bounce. — P.O. Box 7575  Jacksonville, Florida 32238 – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - I am the Shopping Cart that nicks at your paint-job.

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Question:

   I was fly fishing on the North Fork of the Yuba above Downeyville California one fall when a couple of gold miners dredging for gold called me over and showed me a Brown trout that was 36" long.  It was beautiful, and I belive it was female because the bottom of the tail fin was worn away from years of spawning.  Perhaps she had just spawned, because she was lean and did not look like she was carrying eggs.    They wanted to know if it would be ok to eat it, they said it was acting very sluggish and they had caught it with their hands.  I told them I didn’t know why the trout had acted as it did.    I have often wondered why they were able to catch that trout so easily, was she dying?  Was she weak from spawning?   Does anyone have any ideas? Ernie Harrison  

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I was fly fishing on the North Fork of the Yuba above Downeyville California one fall when a couple of gold miners dredging for gold called me over and showed me a Brown trout that was 36" long.  It was beautiful, and I belive it was female because the bottom of the tail fin was worn away from years of spawning.  Perhaps she had just spawned, because she was lean and did not look like she was carrying eggs.   They wanted to know if it would be ok to eat it, they said it was acting very sluggish and they had caught it with their hands.  I told them I didn’t know why the trout had acted as it did.   I have often wondered why they were able to catch that trout so easily, was she dying?  Was she weak from spawning?   Does anyone have any ideas? Ernie Harrison  

It sounds like you’re right on the money. I would suspect the fish had just finished spawning. Typically a spawned out fish, females in particular, will be pretty sluggish after this event. There immune systems aren’t working very well, and most of there energy has gone into building the redd and depositing the eggs. Fish in this condition are not worth eating and it seems a little heartless to harrass them.I would guess that this was a pretty old fish, possibly 8 to 10 years old. At fish hatcheries, I’ve known of fish that lived over 10 years. This would be pretty rare in the wild, but not impossible. Hope this helps. Tim

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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.

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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.

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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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