A Special Letter From Falmouth

Red Brook I'll bet it looks different today.

Some weeks ago I did a post on two wonderful kids from Falmouth MA....the article authored by Lori Day appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of TROUT magazine. The story touched both Jeanette and I that I reached out to Sophie and Nate to try to convey our feelings on their awesome visit to Red Brook. I requested that Sophie sell me her special fly that she tied for her brother Nate to use at Red Brook. Her response was I'll tie you one but there will be "no charge"

Well the day after Christmas we received a letter from Nate and Sophie. Upon opening the letter I found several wonderful lines penned by both Nate and Sophie. These words touched both Jeanette and I..... "thank you" Nate and Sophie. And I really do like it Sophie, well done. Nate I'd be very happy to fish with you, when conditions warm and and the scenery is much greener.

The care in the packaging...it shipped just fine.

Hand tied by Sophie, age six. I would add that the fly is tied from recycled Easter basket grass.

"Sophie's Pink Shrimp"..I was going to fish this fly here locally but decided to wait until I get back to Red Brook....What do you say Nate?   Thank you both for the uplift.

"Salars Nemesis"

Sylvester Nemes the soft hackled fly addict, who is responsible for many of us taking up fishing and fly tying the soft hackled fly. While the patterns in is books feature the flies of the English fly tyers of that early era when these flies dominated. Well while doing some research, by the way it's still on going, I reached out to two gentleman who I consider to be very knowledgeable when it comes to Sylvester Nemes and soft-hackled flies. It was Bill Shuck who sent me a photo of a fly that was originated by Nemes...Bill had tied the fly from a description given him. This fly is possibly the only fly that was created by Nemes.

Further information on the fly was given to me by Doug Duvall who has some first hand knowledge of Nemes and has been very helpful to me. It's known that Nemes visited Scotland in late 1996 and early 1997. Here he fished and wrote about it, later publishing it in his book Six Months In Scotland.

The fly that Sylvester Nemes created is..."Salars Nemesis"

"Salars Nemesis"....Created By Sylvester Nemes....Tied By Alan Petrucci

I tried my best to recreate Nemes fly to the best of my ability. My access to salmon fly hooks is one type and that's what I used.

The recipe is...Hook, a salmon fly Daiichi 2441 #8...Tail, Golden pheasant tippets...Body, Orange Silk...Rib, Flat silver tinsel...Thorax, Orange Dubbing...Hackle, Yellow Hen Saddle...Thread, Orange.

Here is the fly tied on a Tiemco TMC204R #8 hook.

"First Day" 2018 A Tradition Continued

Hot coffee sitting on the computer table and my fingers fully thawed. It is now that I'll tell you about our annual tradition of fishing on New Years Day. We knew it was going to be cold but the reality hit when I stepped out of my car. That first breath was a shock. I believe the air temp at 10:30 am was 6 degrees, and by the end of the day it had reached a balmy 11. It may have been our worst day as far as catching went but it still was great to walk and fish and talk together on the first day of the year.

I stopped at a stream we fish before meeting Kirk and Mark. It was a beautiful winter sight.

You see that bent hemlock, there's Pete's pool. It was virtually iced over...Pete your brookies are safe until you go after them in the spring.

Some open water...I love to fish riffles and that I did. At one point I thought I had a strike but it was just the bottom.

Now folks I don't suggest doing this. Kirk in somewhat of a precarious position. He was snaking a fly down under the ice and hoping for a response.

It was about 12:30 when we called it a day...walked back to the parking lot and fired up the stoves. There was hot chicken soup and beef stew and lots of "Hot" coffee. A tradition started back in 2010 continued....thanks guys.

The New Year, 2018

New Years Eve. The usual routine here at our house has been the same for years. We choose a restaurant, that has been the "Ninety Nine" for years. A good meal is enjoyed and then its back home. I will put on a couple of discs, Bennett, Martino and a few others and listen until the late hour of 10. Then it's lights out and another year closes and a new one begins. New Years Day also holds a tradition...it's our annual 1st day fishing meet. In years past we have been fortunate to have a great group get together and try to put ourselves on the board for the New Year.

RKM Photo

This years meet will take place here. The weather will be cold, predicted temps in the 9 degree range. So I hope your New Years Eve traditions hold, and I wish you the very best for a safe, prosperous and healthy 2018.