A Christmas Eve

First off I hope everyones Christmas was to their liking. Next I would like to take a few minutes, or perhaps lines, to tell you of a very special tribute to those of Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was written by a flyfisher from Connecticut. When I read it yesterday it really moved me. His tribute can be read here...http://ravineangler.blogspot.com/

I had hoped to be able to fish a few hours on Christmas eve day, and when I was given the green light I did not waste any time. My long range thoughts were that this might be the last outing of this year, so make the best of it my good man. When I arrived at the stream the water level was up from the good rains of the days before. The air temp was cold, and there was a little shelf ice in certain places, telling me the water was cold and the fish were going to be slow to the fly. With the higher levels my first fly was a Black Ghost streamer. I fished it very slowly, working the soft seams of the little stream but there was no interest paid. I proceeded to change to a wet fly. I worked the fly through several long slow pools as well as the soft runs between but to no avail. By this time the sun was making itself felt. While its warmth was a delight on my back, it did not do much to warm the water.

I reached a pool with a sharp curve in it. There was also a undercut with lots of roots. As the fly worked through the pool a fish came to it and gently took it. The 2wt did its job and my first fish of the day was at hand. It was a beautiful rainbow. A quick photo and off it went.

The beauty of this little stream was awesome on this cold day. I continued to fish for an hour or so without a strike. I had noticed a rise or two along the way, but they were halfhearted and not promising. I tied on a caddis dry and fished the little fly. It produced a follow or two but no takers.

It was in this deep run, in a soft spot that the caddis was eaten by a brook trout.

These were to be my only fish of the day. A really fine day for sure. As I walked to the car my thoughts were of a day filled with accomplishment, and thanks. The air seemed to get colder despite the sun, and the heat in the car was such a good feeling.

Christmas eve was to be spent with Jeanette and myself. The family was to be together Christmas day.

Dinner was a simple but very satisfying. Hot spaghetti on a cold Christmas eve.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE