Some days, you’re the Bug and some days you’re the Windshield. This broad-shouldered West Branch Brownie was taken on top just above Hales Eddy Bridge on June 8th after a difficult day of secret incantations and obscure hand-signs. He measured 20.5″ sober and made it unlikely that you’ll ever see the lithe 17.5-incher that preceded him to the net a few minutes earlier.
(But I have a photo, if you’re curious.)
I wanted to be sure that all of the Louts knew how much I appreciated the opportunity to fish, dine, drink (a little) laugh, and join the group. Thanks to Brian for remembering his “old” teacher and thinking about me when an opening arose. You are an interesting, amazing, diverse group that really knows how to fish, have a great time, bust chops and during the four days I spent with you I only thought about work and my other responsibilities for a fleeting moment! I look forward to spending time with you guys in the future. Keep me in mind for almost any trip you are planning or if you need someone to round out a group, even at the last minute. My schedule is fairly flexable. Tight lines and if the picture Brian took of me and the brown that he took, (dare I say,) on a nymph, I promise I’ll write something on my thoughts on that fish. Thanks again for a memorable trip!
No, that sign that Brian is holding doesn’t really say “Bite me.” It’s just hard to read without your glasses.
Photo & stage set courtesy of Doc Hatton.
Apparently Lout David has been spending significant time at the new cabin - at least enough to locate the nearest fish monger. Says Lipkin, “These beauties were only $3.99 per pound and all are locally caught!”. Linda Jean liked them so much that she is asking him to stop by that store more often. “Maybe you can buy us some browns and rainbows next time you stop “, inquired Linda. Now if only he could actually catch these on his own, think of all the money he could save!
Just finished up a tour of one of the major NJ rivers with TU folks. Can’t give out too many details on a public forum until things are more firm. Joining us were four members of NJ State Council, three from TU national, a NJTU chapter president, the NJ Fish & Wildlife Principal Trout Biologist and the watershed association head for this river system. At a stop along the way, in a rather large pool, I saw a nice fish rise to a sulphur. By his second or third rise everyone attending had seen this hog. It was very apparent by his takes that he was a good fish. After watching several rises, we decided that this fish needed to be caught or at least attempted to be caught. Who to rig up and do the deed? Yours truly drew the short straw. Read the rest of this entry »
Somewhere in this great land there are men who stand proudly, confident in their piscatorial acumen and possessed of that most treasured achievement: an Opening Day trout, taken on a dry fly while holding nothing but Oneness-with-the-One-Way- of-Barbless-Effortless-Oneness still in their thoughts as their backcasts coil mightily and make no man cry foul.
Such men cast long shadows, and they hold great sway among Councils of Tavern, and of those of Pub, and, yes, even within storied locker rooms wherever the Big Swinging Dicks gather. It is not for nothing that we know these men when we see them, for they tell us about their fish, unabashed and unashamed, embellishing but little and marking the Way for those lesser anglers among us to follow. It is in their debts that we pony up for fresh graphite, svelter waders, and the rapine instruction of Professional Guides. We know when we are not worthy.
And thus, brothers, on the eve of Opening Day 2007, I post this warning to eschew the little creek chub and take no joy in his capture. He is not your True Quarry and provides no gratification on a Triscuit.
Feeling itchy to go fishing and savor a cigar, I was browsing the “brag book” gallery over at West Branch guide Wayne Aldridge’s website today when I found a keeper that should be commented here.
Check it out…
Look at the ashes on those bueno cubanos! Linden and I must have held that pose for a good thirty minutes, not impractical considering our libational disposition.
Cabin Row in the vicinity of Loutville. Sky so blue you’d think I Photoshopped it.
David and Linden enjoy the Breakfast of Champions on-deck at Cabin 23.
I can’t state with conviction which Float year these were taken, but you may be confident that I’ll never wear that hat again.
Brother Lipkin is all smiles as he shows off this beauty, taken on the Connecticut River near Pittsburg, New Hampshire.
These are a couple of snapshots of past adventures that Doc sent me several weeks ago. Whatever stories may be told behind these photos will have to wait until Doc and Bert get their login credentials. Observant Louts will doubtless notice how Guide Wayne Aldridge isn’t trusting Doc to handle that little trout.