"It's Good To Be Back Home Again"

I went back home yesterday and I was welcomed by my friends with open arms. A sweet feeling that I've missed for some time. My last time home was sometime last fall, for this stream puts on a spectacular show before winter sets in. The signs of spring were very much evident. Along with the skunk cabbage and trout lillies a positive sign of spring showed itself twice during my time there, the water snake, lying in the dry leaves along the stream. A step to close and they hit the water with blinding speed.

This run is a favorite of mine. It has pretty much remained the same as it was the first time I fished here many years ago. It was here one day in late October, a very large leaf jam occurred at the tail of the run. I had been fishing a Yellow Hammer and the fly drifted just under the leaves. An explosion took place and soon a brightly colored brookie was at hand. Each time I visit this run I tie on the Yellow Hammer and hope for a take. I would love to tell you I take a brookie each time, but that's not the case.....today it was different.

I was rewarded with not one but two takers. The "Hammer" still has it.

The "Yellow Hammer" if you research this fly you'll find several different recipes on how to tie it. I think everyone will work. The pattern is well known and used in the southern Appalachians.

It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed my return home.