Tips & Tricks

Nothin’ But Gnat – An Evening On The Housatonic

June 8, 2018 by Leigh 2 Comments

My first trip of the year to the Housatonic River is a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The hour long ride through northwest Connecticut is relaxing, and the back roads remind me what a beautiful state this is. The scenery becomes lush and canopied, and the car’s outside temperature gauge drops by a few degrees. For the last few miles, the road parallels the river, adding to the beauty and the temptation. On days when I am unable to fish, I sometimes take my motorcycle along the same route.

Stepping out of the car onto the dirt parking area, the air is crisp and filled with the scent of local flowers. You can feel the mist of the river. Aside from the river sounds it is peacefully quiet – a much appreciated benefit after a long week.

And while I usually wait until late spring, when the water flow and air temps are reasonable, it doesn’t always translate into a fish catching expedition. Tonight I was in luck. The thermometer read high 60’s, light winds successfully carried a sulphur hatch, and I was greeted by hungry brown trout, compliments of the state’s stocking program.

Stepping into waist-deep water, sporadic rises surrounded me. I tied on the small yellow and white dry fly and proceeded to catch about a dozen 12″ – 14″ brown trout over the 2-hour session, all eager for my pattern.

This was truly a one-fly night. All fish were caught on this sulphur gnat pattern, the same one I teach in my beginner fly tying class. I want to than Jim Misiura for this pattern, and encourage you to follow his channel on YouTube.

Best of all, I had the water to myself for the entire time. An increasing rarity as the weather becomes more favorable.

I look at the picture below much like a kid walking through the gates leaving Disney World. Sad to see it end, but happy for the day and the memories made.

Hope you have the chance to get out and make some memories. Enjoy!

A Night for Bass

May 27, 2018 by Leigh Leave a Comment

Spring has taken its sweet time coming to the northeast. Between cold, rain and most recently tornadoes, there has been little time to fish.

After a full day of playing catch up on yard work and chores, I had roughly 2 hours to fish. Traveling to a decent trout stream would take about half of that window. Yet 10 minutes away is a relatively shallow pond loaded with hungry bass that see little pressure. Decision made.

And it was the right one. I quickly loaded the kayak on to the rack and within minutes was on the water. Only one other kayak angler in sight, and he was at the opposite side. Almost no wind, water like glass and the sun starting to set behind the trees. Perfect.

I pulled an unlikely candidate from the box – a nondescript white balsa popper. It wasn’t a high confidence fly. I’ve been far more successful here with streamers. I tied it on planning to switch it out shortly.

I was wrong. For the next two hours I consistently caught 1-2 lb. largemouth bass (and lost a few 3-4 lb. bass) on the same popper.

Slowly paddling 20 feet from the bank, I plucked bass from small coves 4-6 feet in width, often canopied by brush just one to two feet above the water. They ran, tugged, jumped and shook, ultimately posing for a quick photo or an equally fast release.

I used a sidearm cast – not my most graceful, but I have low expectations for popper presentations anyway.

By the end of the night I landed about a dozen, and a handful of panfish as well. Kudos to the white balsa popper.

I loaded the kayak and took one last look at the pond, happy to live in a country that allows this type of access for all Americans, and grateful to the men and women who served to keep it this way.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Weekend!

Renewal

December 31, 2017 by Leigh 1 Comment

It’s 11 degrees outside as I write this last post of 2017. The pellet stove runs nonstop. Tippet wears a sweater and completes her outside breaks in record time. I’m usually covered in some combination of wool, down and fleece before I step outside. In short, winter is here.

The amount of daylight is much too brief, but I’m told we’re gaining a few minutes each day.

Many of the ponds and lakes are now home for ice fishing shacks or hockey rinks.

Small streams aren’t in much different shape. Large rivers are lined with ice shelves.

My canoe and kayaks sit snow-covered and idle, waiting for spring.

IG pics appear showing large pike and musky pulled from under the ice. I spend time restocking my fly box.

Occasionally I’ll get an unexpected surprise, like this documentary film on trout in Mexico, found on my friend Walt’s blog, Rivertop Rambles.

And on some days I hike along the frozen banks, remembering what was and looking forward to next season. After all, this is the time for nature to replenish resources and renew the beauty that awaits us in the spring. For most of us, it can’t come too soon.

Hope this past year was a great one. May 2018 bring you and your family the best. Enjoy!

Visit to American Museum of Fly Fishing, September 2017

October 6, 2017 by Leigh 7 Comments

Tippet and I decided to head north to Manchester VT and explore the American Museum of Fly Fishing. AMFF has been on my hit list for some time, and with beautiful fall weather finally arriving in New England, it seemed like the right time to make a trip up Route 7.

Driving up Route 7 through towns like Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Pittsfield and Bennington, you discover the allure of small towns and the road less traveled.

Manchester is a great town with plenty to do, a selection of interesting restaurants and a variety of places to stay. It makes for a great afternoon of walking or a weekend getaway. Cilantros is a great place to get a burrito for lunch.

AMFF is located on the edge of town. If you have any trouble finding the museum, it is next door to the Orvis flagship store. It sits on well manicured grounds and is pet friendly.

What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in content. The gallery and gift shop are on the first floor. The second floor has an impressive library.

There are a number of cased exhibits like this one. All well displayed and very informative.

The topics covered include the history of fly fishing, fly rods, reels, fly tying for both fresh and saltwater, and fishing celebrities.

I was impressed with this case because the flies are exact replicas of what is shown in the Orvis guide.

There are a number of movable cases like this one that highlight a specific area of the country: the rivers, fish and appropriate flies to use. This one is from my home state, and shows some of the north Florida rivers.

There are many cases devoted to fly rods: bamboo, fiberglass and graphite. They highlight both well known and relatively obscure builders.

Reels are also featured. This is one of the most unusual and beautiful reels I saw.

This is one of the first American patented fly reel designs, and reminds me of a bird cage.

This case is at the top of the stairs in the library. Tied by Project Healing Waters, it contains flies tied in the colors of various militaries.

On the second floor is the library, a well equipped source of knowledge on places, fish, flies and other topics of interest to anglers. You could easily spend as much time here as in the gallery, if not more.

This picture is close to the gallery entrance and reminds me that there are several ways to catch a fish.

I stayed in a small cabin at Camping on the Battenkill. CotB was a nice find, with a good stretch of water behind it. As the Battenkill is known for, it handed me my first skunk in a long time.

On the way back to CT, I stopped at this coffee shop for my first maple latte. It turned out to be quite a find. The coffee was good, and the friendly owner and his wife just bought the place.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, or a chance to find out more about the history of fly fishing, this makes for a great road trip. If you’re interested, you can also take a tour of the Orvis rodmaking factory. Tours are given daily at 10 am.

Enjoy!

Fishing Dog

October 6, 2017 by Leigh 1 Comment

Nothing like sharing your love for fly fishing with your pet. They don’t try to get in your spot, second guess your fly selection, and rarely comment on the size of the fish you caught. In short, they are great fishing buddies.

About a month ago, I adopted Tippet, a rescue dog. She is a year-old Chihuahua mix, that I got through Sweet Souls Rescue in Newtown, CT. I was told she might have some Italian greyhound in her, but since she came from Charleston, SC, I’m guessing I have about as much in me as well.

Our first outing went well. It was a combination of introducing her to the river with a dog walk, followed by a short introductory session in the backpack, which she didn’t seem to mind. Extra bonus was that she saw me catch some fish.

There is always competition on the water, and the herons seem to watch my casting with a critical eye.