A 20-Inch Brown

TIME: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
WEATHER:  Clear, mid 60s
WATER CONDITIONS:  0 Units
LOCATIONS FISHED:  Norfork River, Mill Dam Eddy to near Otter Creek, below McClellan’s
ROD USED:  8’ 6” 5 wt Joan Wulff Favorite Winston
FLIES USED:   Wayne’s Brown Fly
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER:  Fished solo. I walked in at Mill Dam Eddy, made a few casts, but without much success. I began fishing upstream along the island, but no fish were caught.  At the top of the island, broke with old habits and waded upstream fishing the right descending bank, but again, no fish were caught.  My ultimate objective was to fish Ace In The Hole and the Walnut Tree.  I didn’t get a single hit at Ace In The Hole, and only one at the Walnut Tree.  I waded across the river, then downstream.  For some odd reason, I decided to fish the plunge pool (we never fish the plunge pool).  My first cast was rewarded with a 20-inch brown, forcing me to step into the deep pool to release the fish.  Back on top, several more casts produced three more fish, though no large ones.  Several fishers were coming downstream in pontoons, so I waded downstream on the left descending bank, fishing the riffle above the island—still no bites.  This has been one of my most productive reaches, but I haven’t caught any fish here this week!  Wading further downstream, I picked up a couple about 40 yards above the island.  Having had enough for the day, I waded downstream and sat on a log at Mill Dam Eddy, to regain some energy.  The fishers from upstream finally made it down, and I watched them pontoon and wade right through prime water.  As Ron White says, “You can’t fix stupid.”