Yesterday was a day of first's for me. Yesterday was the first day of Spring, and it sure felt like it. I got to the stream around 10 and found myself engulfed in an almost perfect day. The sun was out brightly and it's warm rays felt so good. There was almost no breeze, and the skunk cabbage was busting out all over the place. It was going to be a great outing, I just had that feeling that no matter how the trout reacted it was not going to change how I was feeling overall.
Another first of this day was the fact that I finally had the chance to put my new bamboo rod to the test on the stream. I had cast it on the lawn with a couple of fly lines, but this was the first real test of this beautiful piece.
As I walked the stream I noticed lots, I mean lots of stoneflies about. They were on the rocks and in the air. I chose a stonefly imitation which was nothing more then black thread with black dubbed thorax with starling hackle. Several casts in several locations yielded two hookups which yielded quick losses. I know this may sound corny but being out on this day just walking alone in the peace and quiet of the woodlands with a fly rod and the hope that this was the first of many days I hope would follow.
Finally after several hits and a couple of lost hookups I found this wild brown. He has the distinction of being the first trout taken on the SSR's cane rod.
It was along this run with it's inviting pool that I noticed several fish rise. They were smacking stoneflies. The rises were very striking. I tied on a dry fly which was also very simple. Black thread and palmered hackle. It did not take many casts before a trout rose and a solid hookup.
This young lady demonstrated why she was queen of the pool. She showed me how a fine bamboo rod should handle her strength. Both fish and rod performed flawlessly. Both doing their part to show what small stream fishing is about.
Yes Alan, every so often, but not often enough, a special day comes along. I'm glad you were able to seize the moment and enjoy it. May I ask if the new bamboo rod met your expectations? It sure looks like a real beauty! Thank you for sharing it with us.
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John V.
John V.
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John I try my best to get out when I can. Sometimes those days just seem to beat all expectations.
The bamboo exceeded my expectations of a fine small stream rod. It handled various flies, both dry, wet and nymph. It was great in a few types of casting situations and rolled cast with ease. It matched well with the Battenkill reel. The line on the Battenkill was a Cortland DT..next time I'll try a WF.
I always remember the first fish taken on a new rod; like it happened yesterday. Is the new 'Bamboo kid' on the block a serious threat to your Cane & Silk rod yet? Looks like it was a memorable day! Thanks for bringing it to us.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike it looks like the bamboo has won a place in my quiver. It is so much a natural, and it's right at home on a small stream. I will continue to use my C&S glass rods.
Another awesome day. Seems the rod worked as advertised. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark both statements are correct. More to come buddy.
Brilliant Alan, just brilliant and what a fantastic rod to use. Regards, John
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John the rod was more then I expected. I do love it.
Lovely read and outcome. Funny how I've stumbled across this today after having success myself on a new rod and lure - although not as elegant as yours!
ReplyDeleteA fool at one end
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I'm glad you found us. I hope you'll stop by often.
Brk Trt, I'm glad to hear that you finally got the chance to use that new cane rod of yours and in referace to you trying different lines. When I purchased mine, I went thru the same trial and error testing all kinds of fly line and asking everyone under the sun about what line works for those fellow cane rod users. In the end I asked that general question on "The Bamboo rod room forum" It was kinda unanimous that the Hook and Hackle branded DT Line was great stuff and its Cortland 444 silk $29.00 on sale (which its on sale now) which goes on sale very often. Emailed them back and forth, and I did a try and buy with them. If I didn't like it send it back no questions asked. Well the rest is history. Tight lines.....Phil
ReplyDeletehttp://store.hookhack.com/Hook-Hackle-Classic-Hi-Floater-Fly-Lines/departments/713/
DRYFLYGUY
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Phil trying fly lines can be an expensive proposition, but helpful advice from those that have experience and have tested fly lines makes it so much easier to choose.
Great read, as usual. Thank you for sharing. Congrats on breaking the ice with the new rod on it's maiden outing.
ReplyDeleteMichael Capurso
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Mike I was hoping that the first fish would be a brookie and the fly a bomber. But a brown and a soft-hackle stonefly was satisfactory.
Beautiful shots of the wild browns, Alan. You christened your new bamboo rod in fine fashion.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam it felt good to finally fish the rod. The two browns gave me some feel of how the rod handles wild small stream trout...flying colors.
Can't think of a better way to christen the new rod. Not being familiar with bamboo rods, is it's action slow like the old rods or a bit quicker? It's nice to see signs of spring again, even if the skunk cabbage aroma isn't particularly pleasant.
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark this rod is surprisingly similar to Mike's fiberglass rods. It's butt section is kind of soft, and the tip a bit fast. Works great. Skunk is a good name for this cabbage.
Great looking water Alan... and really cool to get to fish that new wand for trout that are starting to think it's April. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm about to jinx us... but so far, this feels like the most "real" spring we have had in the north east in years...
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will there were a couple of days where I could almost fish with just a flannel shirt. My last outing, this post, I saw trout actually rising to stone flies. Really into it. Bring on spring....
Beautiful report & pics as always Alan.
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
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Alan,
ReplyDeleteWow! This post is wonderful! It is exciting to hear that your bamboo wonder performed flawlessly! I dearly love mine! They really do have personalities and perform quite differently from their fiberglass and graphite cousins. They all have characteristics that we can tailor to our particular situations and needs! Sometimes, I think I have too many rods and too much stuff.....naaa! There is no such thing as far as I can see!
Please keep the reports and pictures coming our way Alan! Can't get enough of it!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug, I sure with more use I will come to see just what bamboo can provide. One outing and I must say I believe I'm going to like this piece of "trout grass"...good DVD.
Alan
ReplyDeleteGlad the new bamboo performed well for you and the weather was great!!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill love the rod.