South Branch Sunday, June 7th

I had a few hours last night, so it just made sense to get some time on the water.  

As the Musky had been my destination for the last half dozen outings, and we had good rain last week, I thought to change things up.  

The decision was made to hit my favorite stretch on the South Branch.

I rolled into the parking lot around 6:30pm and put on the wading boots.  If you have fished with me, you would know I never wear waders in the Summer, unless I'm on the West Branch or its abnormally cool.  

I made my way through the woods and got to the bank.  I scanned the water for a few minutes. The water was up a lot and on the muddier side.  

Sure enough, there were already fish feeding on top.  

I threw a Sulpher emerger and had a few drifts pass over the fish with no love.  It was clear I chose the wrong fly.  I quickly switched to a medium rusty spinner and made a few passes with that fly.  After the 3rd or 4th pass (right before frustration set in) I saw a nice stockie rainbow porpoise and suck in my fly.  It fought well and I released it back to the cool dark water.  I have to give credit, the rainbows the state stocked this year have been very nice fish.  Strong and clean with no nipped fins, etc.

Anyway, I slowly waded up river and tried to throw to any risers I saw.  Within about 20 feet, I had hooked a little wild brookie of about 7 inches.  I got to a very productive pool and there were just fish coming up all over.  I hooked a really nice 10" wild bow with beatiful fins and parr markings.

I then saw another fly fisherman pop out right across the river.  He went to cast right towards me, and I saw his suprise when it registered I was standing there.  He offered to move, but I was happy to continue my walk up river and told him so.

I couldnt put anything together up river though, so I left the water and walked back to my car, pretty happy with the experience, the beautiful weather and life in general.  I drove home excited to watch Game of Thrones.  

The scene with Stannis' daughter still haunts me.  Thats another story and another topic, but suffice it to say, Stannis is a POS.

Beaverkill Trip

Well, the chapter headed north last weekend...without me.  I was supposed to go, but my daughter had a dance recital and I had to back out.  Believe me, on Saturday night at 8:30pm while I was watching TV, I thought of a spinner fall, my chapter casting gracefully, and had to bite my knuckle to keep from screaming in anguish.  Thats life in the fast lane though.

Here are some pictures.  I had to think hard about posting the one of Mike with his bow, as I didnt want to inflate his ego, but said hey, I need to give credit where it is due.

Click your pointer on the side of the pictures to have them move.

Also, I heard reports of some of our members running into Aphrodite or members of the Swedish Bikini Team or the cast of Baywatch in their prime or something like that.  It depends on who was telling the story.  All I know, is this is the impression I got from the stories...

Sulphers on the Musky

I drove to the Musky on Saturday evening and got to the lower section about 5pm.  I nymphed for a bit in a spot I have had success at in the past, and quickly drummed up 5 slot rainbows on #18 BHPTs.  I saw sulphers coming off in the riffle and when they started to come off with regularity, about an hour later, I moved off the riffles into the flats.

As I re-approached the river, I saw one, then two then close to 10 fish feeding on top.  I slowly made my way in and threw a Rabbits foot sulpher #14.  Ignored.  I did it again.  Ignored.  4 more times.  Nothing.  I then cut it off and switched to a loop wing emerger, fished in the film. That was the ticket.  I started catching right and left.

After about 4 fish, it started to drizzle and then the wind picked up.  The bugs stopped and so did the fish.  for that hour though, all the pieces fell together and magic happened.

Alex Rundella

Just for the heck of it, from now on, Im going to profile a Hacklebarney member a month.

Alex working it while on a trip to the Beaverkill with oher Team USA members and Matt Grobert.

This month Alex Rundella, one of the youngest members of our chapter, is the guy to be honored first.  Alex is a member of the USA Youth Fly Fishing Team and a master nympher. Alex and his buddies get out there on the river, start czech nymphing and catching fish after fish.  It can depress the crap out of some of us older guys who arent bringing in the numbers.

Alex on his Hacklebarney sponsored trip to the youth conference in Wyoming.

This guy is lucky enough to fish all over the East coast, and will be taking his talents to Montana this fall, when he attends school there.

So watch out all you sexy University of Montana at Missoula co-eds, Alex Rundella is soon to be on the prowl, and with his good looks and Jersey attitude, watch out for this Don Juan.