I’ll circle back in a day or two and tell the unembellished tale, but Brian’s photos were ready so I thought you Louts should see what you missed.

That disturbing “rip” in the ocean is one small pod of bluefish decimating a shoal of rainfish. This attack happened simultaneously along a mile-long section of beach for better than three hours Friday. At the peak, there were maybe ten rods working the blitz and Louts accounted for most of them.

Virtually every cast resulted in a bend like this one seen in my ten-weight XP. We found ourselves covering a lot of sand as a constant battery of killers moved into the shallows and then offshore again. I broke off more than I landed as fish fought each other for flies and literally severed our leaders in their confusion. Several spinner fishermen among us were crying foul as the fish quickly depleted their tackle boxes, but everybody was grinning. Eventually, I learned to fish the edges of the blitz and steer hooked fish away from the tumult. Since the whole thing was becoming a track meet, it seemed only appropriate to fire up a cigar.

We only brought one cooler, but could have easily filled a dozen or more with fish like this one. At one point, Brian counted nine bent rods in a hundred-foot section of beach. A spectator asked “Does this happen very often here?” and I couldn’t think of anything worthier than a Loutish reply: “You shoulda been here yesterday!” (He should have asked what kind of fool goes barefooting among all those teeth?)

Fellow Lout Brian Cowden has recieved the TU National Youth award  at the national meeting last week in Boise ID. I know he is the first one to give credit to all the volunteers at the chapter levels helping him with TIC but he has done a great job and deserves the recognition. I personally thank him for encouraging me to be more involved and I have enjoyed learning and being involved in the TIC program. (Trout In the Classroom)

Way to go Brian keep up the great work!!! Great things will follow!

I will be heading back to the Caymans the beginning of August and was wondering if I should procure and stash an other bottle or two of the Glenfarclas 25yr. Scotch for the West Branch trip next year!! I have not been able to find it around here but know I can get it on the Island. My only concern is that it might not be safe in my house for another 9mos but I’ll try to forget it’s there!

Your suggestions are welcome

I thought that this should be preserved for future reference. We can have it notarized at a later date…

Being of ample body and questionable mind, I, Doc Hatton, do hereby bequeath my Dalmore Cigar Single Malt (oloroso cherry wood aged) Scotch to the surviving Louts provided same is consumed around the annual fire pit whilst enjoying cheroots and regaling the group with fond memories of me. In the absence of fond memories, embarrassing stories or sincere regrets suffice.

I believe this was written in response to learning that the dessert items to be served at the 8th annual Louts trip were to be baked by Rich Thomas’ ex-wife and terms of their divorce were not clear to all affected parties…

 This beauty came to the boat, alas, by the lazy imprecations of a nymph. It broke a long unlucky spell for me, fought truly and well for its 17.5 inches, and, for those reasons (and Brian’s taunting that I would probably post it anyway) I take a measure of relief showing it here now.

A few moments later, I picked up a larger fish that I posted yesterday.

So after all the back and forth between DeBie and I about dries versus nymphs it struck me as funny that my best fish of the trip fell for a 5″ black streamer. This beast was actually one of the smaller ones up feeding with a pod of big fish late in our float trip. Rich and I threw 14 different flies between us that we were able to identify afterwards with certainty. We may have tossed more. In an act of desperation, with light failing and lightning in the sky approaching us, I tied on my favorite streamer - the old black double bunny on a size 4 hook, 10X long! This beast fought well for such a skinny fish.

Hey Rich, look NO waders! Never again will I wet wade in 48 degree water…

Here are a couple of Louts’ shots that survived Thursday night’s Turkey Supper during this year’s Spring Summer Float on the Upper Delaware. I’ll post a second batch, anon.

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.)