Chris and Jason

A Healthy Brook Trout

A few years ago Jason and Chris floated with us and had a pretty good day. That was a few years ago, but the guys both remembered a lot of the things we worked on that day. On this day we floated nymphs to feeding fish and the guys picked up some nice fish again. Chris began fishing right away, while Jason watched and just enjoyed the morning on the river. When Jason did step up to the casting brace, he produced. The first fish he caught was the largest fish boated, so far that morning. Chris however was working on his cast and concentrating on good drifts.

Rock'n Ledges

We stopped for a lunch of subs and fix'ins, while trying to entice some more rising fish. We boated a rainbow at lunch and then shoved off for the second part of the float. Jason fished off and on after lunch, but Chris was in the game all day. The only time he wasn't fishing was when we were pulling up anchor and making a move. The size of the fish began to decrease as we came closer to the takeout.  

Chris With a Prize of Brown Trout

Jason Perfecting a Nymph Drift

Fish Tales

As we entered last part of the trip, a big rise came to the top with a splash to get our attention. Chris turned on the rise and after two false casts he dropped the nymph just above the rise-ring. The fly barely had time to settle when the indicator dove. Chris set the hook and the rod got a big bend going. Early in the fight the fish stayed down and then the trademark head shakes came. Those head shakes are the mark of a truly healthy fish and usually these fish have big shoulders. This one was no exception. Chris did a great job bringing the fish to the net and all the fish he had caught earlier in the day provided the warm-up for this one. He played the fish quickly and efficiently. Moments later the brown was in the net and posing for photos...

Reviving 

So we rowed on and fished off and on for the rest of the trip. Chris fishing at every stop and Jason taking in the day and enjoying it, like a day on the river is supposed to be enjoyed. On their first trip the guys worked on all the fundamentals, with specific attention paid to no drag drifts. This time they put their talents to use and concentrated on dropping the fly upstream of feeding fish. The new theory? Fish where they are, not where they ain't.

Winding Down a Good Day