What A Day
Coveted Waters
By: Grey Fox
PA - After my float trip with Josh I was anxious to get back out on the stream. I had to wait for friday due to a call for help from my brother. The forecast was rain. The rain was steady and so was the fishing. I started with a pair of my favorite slate drake patterns. Without seeing a rise I was skeptical with the height and color of the water. However I was rewarded quickly with a big golden flash in the surface of a heavy riffle that I chose to start my fishing. This was a very nice heavy fish in the upper teens. I did not take a picture of this fish. I didn't know it but this fish was a sign of things to come.
I didn't stay long before I had walked upstream to another heavy riffle that I was anxious to get too. Just a few casts in , I hooked this fish. I placed my camera on a mount affixed to the top of my wading staff and set the timer. This picture is the result , not perfect by any means but I guess, I'll take it..
When I released this fish I was playing with the camera and produced these pictures. Grow some more big boy.
I have been trying to get my freind Mike fishing for several years now. With a few fly casting lessons at work and some gentle prodding and a few flies; Mike got his start and a successful one at that. Mikes first time out he caught the largest trout of his life to date, three years ago. I have known Mike literally all his life. I called Mike after releasing this fish. He wasn't working and his reply was; " We've always talked, now it's going to happen, GAME ON." I was excited. I worked my way back to the road to meet Mike. I had saved the far side, the best side, of the riffle I had caught my first fish in. Mike suprised me when he walked up behind me. Mike missed the first 3 or 4 before he hooked one. This picture shows Mike with this first fish hooked up. Mike caught 7 fish this day and missed or lost another 14.
As the day was coming to a close I had decided to go down with the nymphs in an exceptionally heavy riffle. We had moved alot of fish but I just had to see. So as Mike was working some rising fish I had some exceptional fishing as the trout were digging the hares ears. I went 5 for 6 in the first riffle. I noticed that just above this riffle was anoter juicy looking spot. This spot produce the fish of the day. I had to cast tight to the rock causing the wake and current seams. This fish was nose tight.
I feel very fortunate to have such good freinds and family and be able to share what I love with people who have such a great appreciation for the wild. Mike and I had some high fives and I'm sure we will be talking about this day for awhile.
In the background just to the right of Mikes shoulder you can see the broken water where this fish was holding.
This is the first time I experienced good fishing here. This riffle is normally 16 inches deep with a small trout or two. With the height and color and hatch the fish had migrated into these types of water. I continue to learn and am always amazed at these wild trout and their movements. The slate drake hatch I see every year on this water. This is the first year in my memory that we had suitable temps for it. The water temp is 59 degrees today.
Check out: Coveted Waters
Phone: 1-717-275-5910
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