It was the Best of Times
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....Today I had a few hours away from the utter insanity of this past week, let's just say I have had much better. So with the wife off shopping and a few hours before the rain hits, I decided to run off to my favorite river to try my luck and decompress a bit. I decided to fish a section I have never tried and the water was without a doubt the lowest I have ever seen it. So I tied on my trusty multipurpose nymph and headed out to the first set of riffles and pools. After about an hour of probing I finally caught the smallest brookie I had ever seen, had to been a native.
I worked my way downstream to fish two very promising looking pools that I had seen from above. First pool yielded zip! I waded down to the next and final pool of the day. After about a dozen casts I saw a few fish breaking water, then it was like a scene out of Jaws (queue music) I saw this brown fin breaking water and heading up the seam toward my indicator! Next thing I know, WHAM, a brookie tries to eat the damn indicator. I then start looking around and I see lots of small to medium size bugs hatching in the pool. I could not make out what they were but I figured the fish wanted surface food. I tied on an Adams #12 and cast to the edge of the pool. Well that did the trick. I started catching the nicest brookies I have seen in a very long time at the rate of one every two-three casts. In all I landed over twenty in less than an hour. (see attached photo)
Well I get a short hit and as I try to set the hook I whip the line back and get a knot. I pull the line in and tuck my pole under my arm and start working on the small loop that formed. It was then I notice a tug under my arm, I looked up in time to see my rod separate and the lower half with reel start to float downstream. I pull in on the line but the current is strong enough to pull the line off the reel. I see the butt end is just a few steps away so I go after it. About three steps in I hit the edge of a very steep, very deep pool. I immediately go under and my waders fill with water, I am now an anchor in a fast moving current. I manage to get my feet downstream and find the other edge of the pool and pull myself free of the current. I still have my rod tip and line in hand! I try to retrieve my lost pole but it is wedged at the bottom of the pool.
Well after several misguided attempts I decide to tie on an indicator and cut the line at the backing. I may have better luck someday when the weather is warmer and I have someone on hand to back me up on my swim. So if you want to have an adventure with me to retrieve my favortie 3wt just drop me a line. Right now I am drying out by the fire and enjoying a good beer, happy to be alive with a story to share.
