Yesterday was our annual New Years Day meet. The crew has been doing this now for 10 years. This year there were three of us, Rowan, John and myself. This year the weather was not bad. Air temps in the high thirties with sun at 9:30 am. First thing, a priority mind you was to enjoy some Dunkin' donuts compliments of John, and luckily he brought a lot of them. Hot coffee and conversation was strong. A plan was made on how we were going to take on the day, geared up we set off to find a willing fish. It was a so-so start with not a single fish hooked. Faith my friends.
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| "Pete's Run" |
The stream we chose to fish was a favorite of a mutual friend of ours "Pete"...this section of stream was special for Pete and a small sign was placed on a tree along a run he loved to fish. Today John placed a favorite fly of Pete's a bead head soft-hackle pheasant tail. We fish this stream several times a year and now when ever we fish this run a bead head soft-hackle pheasant tail will be the only fly used.
We continued to fish this stream all morning with out success. We chose to go back to the cars and have some lunch and plan the afternoon. The menu was going to be hot dogs. I had everything with exception of one item...that was the stove to cook on. I left it in the garage. We were a bit hungry and here is where the ample supply of donuts came in...lunch was had and to be honest it was good. Thanks John for thinking ahead.
For the afternoon fishing we chose to fish another stream not to far from where we had fished the morning. This stream is a sweetheart. It reminds me of fishing the streams of Shenandoah. It turned out well, Rowan got the first brookie of the New Year. The fish taken under a beat up wood bridge.
I had moved upstream and came to this pool below a nice waterfall. Several casts were made and I noticed a fish swirl behind the wet fly. A couple of more casts and the fish took.
My first of 2020. A healthy male.
We continued to fish for an hour or so. We needed for John to hookup. He was close but....I imagine by weeks end John will be on the board.
Thanks guys for making this NYD meet...it was great to fish with you again.
Here's to Pete. I'm sure he's watching.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark your probably right. I know he didn't mind us fishing his run.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThose waterfalls are outstanding, I can see you taking more trout below the big waterfall throughout 2020. In fact just to sit and listen to its sound would be enough for me!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill that particular waterfall keeps the brookies below it. The stream above it is also very productive. I have often enjoyed the sounds of the stream. You would love that stream.
Always fun to see your CT crew enjoy the new year this way!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will it's a nice tradition. We have another one that happens on opening day. Maybe this year a "Groundhog Day" meet.
Great to see you guys had a good day! I was wondering if you would try the second stream! Good call, sorry I missed you all this year
ReplyDeleteMarkW
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We missed you and Kirk.
That second stream proved to be our saving. Like you and me last April on opening day.
I am glad to see the New Year's Day tradition continue, Alan. A darned nice day for the outing. I love the tribute to your friend Pete with his favorite fly put on the tree. Those streams fished sure look nice just making their way through the woods with good flow in them. Your first brookie of 2020 is a plump one and looks in fine shape.
ReplyDeleteSam
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Sam the weather was not bad considering the time of year. A nice addition to the plaque made by John. The second stream is a real gem, just the beauty of it satisfies the outing.
Hi Alan, I'm glad you go back to fishing where you used to do it with friend Pete, it's hard to remember good times spent with a friend, but that's life, a hug.
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando Pete was a guy who could catch a trout any where on that softhackle pheasant tail. That place on the stream was special to him.
Hi Alan........ And a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLooks & sounds like you had an eventful 1st trip of 2020, and so fitting that you chose to go to one of Pete's favourite streams (I am sure he would approve). That 1st Brookie looks amazing - a real jewel of the stream.
I probably will not get chance to get out onto a stream for a couple of weeks yet - no problem as I had a nice trip up to Teesdale on New Years eve and managed a couple of nice Grayling and I have just started a new role at a more local depot (no more travelling for 5 hours per day) which will give me more time with family, friends and some 'Blue Lines' close to home.
Here's to a fine 2020....
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair it turned out to be quite a first day. All of us were happy.
A few grayling is not a good outing and it's even better when it comes on NY eve. Cutting 5 travel hours out of your day is a giant plus. Great things in 2020.