Was trying to hit the West Branch with my buddy for our first outing of the year, but high water levels, as per usual, flushed that idea. We wound up in Roscoe, getting gas and a license for him, and bumped into a buddy who pointed us toward the no kill zones of the Willo. We got on the water at 11:30, it was clear and running at its normal level. I hooked a beauty on my third cast on a stonefly nymph. I didn't get a water temp, but it couldn't have been too bad because this bastard leaped three or four times before taking a little run. 18" wild brown (bright red spots, spot behind the eye, a small hump) and pretty fat for the time of year. Probably one of the best I've taken to hand in a long time. Since I caught it right off the bat I knew we were ****. You know what I mean. When you get a fish on that second or third strike, you just know it's over. And it was. We went to the Beaverkill for a bit-- nothing. Went back to the Willo and my buddy got into an active pod but couldn't set anything (I was taking pictures).
We got off the water at around 4, when the air temperature dipped. It was enough. Even for a warmer winter day, our feet were bricks in the water. The wind picked up, too, and I caught my first fly in the shoulder. Should have debarbed it!
We got off the water at around 4, when the air temperature dipped. It was enough. Even for a warmer winter day, our feet were bricks in the water. The wind picked up, too, and I caught my first fly in the shoulder. Should have debarbed it!
