Thursday, June 13, 2013--Fishing Again

TIME: 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM

WEATHER: Mid-80s, sunny

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, Mill Dam Eddy, to Ace in the Hole

FLIES USED: #14 gray Norfork River Scud, #20 red/black Zebra Midge, #14 pink Cockleburr, #16 Parachute Sulphur Dun

ROD USED: 8’ 6” 5-wt Winston JWF

HATCHES: Midges, a few Caddis, a few Sulphurs, Craneflies

OTHER:   This was my first time fishing since November 2012, and first time serious fishing since September 2012: I simply had had enough.  But, one knows when it's time to get back on the water and today was the day.  I fished with long-time fishing companions Ed and John.  Along with Wayne, I have fish with Ed and John for about 20 years, and the three are among my closest fishing friends.

Ed and I walked upstream to the riffle and pool above the island, fishing a double-rigged setup on falling water, with little success.  After the mist burned off, a small midge hatch began and fish started rising to the insects.  I tried various flies, before finally remembering that the pink Cockleburr had been effective this time of year in the past.  After tying one one, so to speak, I was rewarded with a hook-up.  Though not rapid fire, the fish were taking the fly with frequency.  Ed moved up to the dead water between the cross riffles and had success with a two-fly nymph set-up, and also on dries.  I moved upstream to the plunge pool below Ace in the Hole, and caught about 8 fish on the pink Cockleburr, all on top.  Ace in the hole produced no fish, even with the Norfork River scud and midge pupa rig.  I returned to the riffle above the island beside Ed and had limited success on a parachute Sulphur Dun.  On our way downstream, the first tree produced a fish on a black/red Zebra midge dropped below a Norfork River scud.  For the day, I had a couple of dozen fish, all rainbows except for one cutbow.

Not having fishing in so many months, it was easy to see subtle changes in the river, with more gravel on the bottom, and seemingly more shallow water.  Also, the fish were hotter than I remember, and all fought hard.