fishin' again.

Well, with this less than fruitful
winter we've been having, with
a mtn bike in desperate need of
freshy bits and no desire to layer
up for road warrioring in the crisp
February breeze, it was back to the
trout stream.


Besides, I had a new stick to break
in. Saturday was sunny and breezy,
not exactly ideal for fishing tiny blue
winged olives on the Letort, but what
else ya gonna do? Did see a few bugs
in the air, saw all of four rises all day
along with some small black stones
flitting about. So I played a hunch and
got lucky, prospecting the water with
a buggy looking black caddis imitation.
Managed to bring one to hand, not
exceptional regarding the size, but at
least I didn't get skunked with the new rod.


Sunday was similar, but without the
breeze and much more relaxed mindset.
Used the new stick again, a 7'6"/4wt by
Matt Schliske from Colorado and really fell
for the rod. It handled the breeze surprisingly
well on Saturday, and in the calmer Sunday air,
it did everything I asked.

The calmer air helped keep the bugs
on the water and I found a bit more
success out in the Letort meadows.
Brought a bunch to hand on dries,
and one nice healthy 15"er on a
bwo nymph.

It's been neat to fish this stream more
in the winter, seeing it in a season when
I usually don't. Quite the interesting place,
lots to soak in out there.

fishin'

With this wonderful ski season we're having,
had to scratch one of the other itches. Picked
up the new license, played a hunch with the
forecast and rigged up for a session of harassing
ze trouts of the Letort.

Weatherman was right, my beta was slightly off.
Twas low 40's and overcast, with some actual
snowflakes falling now and then and blue winged
olives started doing their thing around lunchtime.
Beta I had indicated an earlier start to the hatch,
glad I stuck around beyond the expected timeframe.

Snuck thru the rabbit hole and onto one of my
favorite beats and was immediately fishing over
a big old brown that was out on the prowl. That
old fish was pushing 20" and between the nerves
and 3 month break from the water, it didn't take
long to flub that chance and persuade that trout
to seek better cover.

Changed meadows, then the bugs finally started
popping and the trouts went on the feed. Opened
the hatch with a missed take, stung him, but the
rust was showing. My casting was off, presentations
were lacking, but finally duped a little 7"er and
brought him to hand. Found the groove and
hooked another before missing his neighbor.
Took a breath and tossed the little #20 olive to
a dimple out there in mid stream. A subtle take
and was finally into a fish with some weight. After
a lively tussle, I brought this nicely colored 12"er
to the net. Sweet.


Still had time before needing to get home, so moved
a few paces upstream, fishing to a riser in close with
no success. Noticed an occasional rise further
upstream and out in the channel a bit. Let it settle
then made a decent enough cast up into the vicinity.
There was another subtle slurp on that first drift
and suddenly found myself connected to a substantial
tug on the line. A brief battle with the 5wt cane and
I landed one of the finest Letort browns I've ever fooled
with a dry fly. This nice 15-16"er was a helluva way
to open the account for the new year, sure hope
it continues in this fashion...

yep.

WhiteGrass bound for the wknd,
Ullr is finally making a bit of a stay
with good timing to celebrate another
lap around the sun for the WiserWeiser.

snow was marginal with the expected
pockets of really good to be found.
bit of beta...always check out the
reliable spots first.

It's kinda neat how it all comes together
out on the trail, hooking up with various
folks out on their tours, us on ours and
being able to share some skiing through
out the day, introducing friends to the
little world of WhiteGrass.


Did some exploring and a bit of playing
in the meadows during the daylight, then
superb feasting and celebrating, apres'
cocktails and catching up with Iceboxers.

Good times.

Sure is a special place,
that Valley of Canaan.

new post.

if I don't write it down,
it's not recorded, or
something.

20011, recapped.

bought a new fishin' pole, first day of the year. then went skiing'. not as good as lastlast year, but significant smile factor, and it was good. fun at Whitegrass, tearing up CV w/ Abe, then try to pedal. fuck that, let's go fishing. go fishing, catch some trouts, see new places, lament high water, lots of fruitless road trips, ignoring flow gauges, hope for clarity. finally sulphurs on the Letort. Love the hatch, just tolerable early summer heat, mosquito battling, fishing into the darkness, casting on blind instinct, full moon if you hit it right. ride thru July, kick it with groovy Canaan Fest fun, then some semifatty road loops and a qwik overnight. Then back onstream for midsummer Letort trophy chasing and whiteflies on the Breeches. Get hair up my ass and buy a house. Jeseus, all grown up now and just like that, still blows my mind how it all came together. Seriously, blows. my. mind. fkna! hudge cashing of karma points...looking at a long spell of paying forward, that's how it works, do unto others, it all revolves around, gravity and shit. Then finally rode a bike like I thought I could on a few Sunday services, knee actually feeling kinda normal, cool, just in time for ski season...early Halloween snow didn't fool me, but did get out in it, which was a good thing, damn good thing. Funny how it all comes together. Lucky fella I am..

'tis the season.

Hope yours is a merry & happy one.

"Shellfish"

Always spend a penny
as if you were spending a
dollar
and always spend a dollar
as if you were spending
a wounded eagle and always
spend a wounded eagle as if
you were spending the very
sky itself.

-r. brautigan

30th time's a charm.

oy, how I missed the Valley.
another splendid gathering.

just enough snow to get
in some kick, glide & skate
w/ Haywoodja, even a turn
or two on some fast grass...

then a nightful of pagan
rituals to the gods of snow,


stretch the legs on the fixy
in the morning, crazy good
times.





hey Ullr, we're waiting...