[flynut]

Had the pleasure to fish with jbharrison (Joe) Saturday. He took me to one of his blue lines. We fished for brooks and caught so many that we felt guilty.

Started fishing about 8:30 with a hatch starting. I was allowed to take the lead with Joe fishing the used water. Went to my go to fly, #22 EHC, and worked the water from bank to bank, covering all waters. I do not believe in leaving any water untouched.

The first twenty minutes or so was frustrating. No fish and lots of hang ups in the trees, my trademark lately. With a small left turn bend ahead with lots of rocks for fish to hide under I was ready. Fished around every rock that a fish could be under with no sign of any. Worked the middle and up from the stream floor came one of nicest brookies of the day, full of reds and blues. Not to mention a 6 incher. With the water between ankle and mid calf deep; ankle deep was most common, I was amazed at the size of the fish.

Joe took over as lead and pulled in several fish, one after another, or so it seemed as I could not get a hook set. His once a week fishing adventures sure showed a honed and polished technique that was amazing. At one pool I managed to miss over a dozen fish as he brought to hand as many as I missed.

It took a while for the fish to wake up, but when they did it was pure excitement. They were willing to nose the fly but had a problem committing to biting down, a frustrating problem for me. Joe on the other hand had fish that were more willing to inhale a fly. I can not understand how he could cast to fish that was so willing to bit a fly and the ones I was casting to would just nose it. No, it could not be me.

Worked up stream for about four hours with each new turn bringing better and better pools and more fish. In four hours we did not cover much water, fished slowly and stealth. Fish were scattered about the pools, not just at the head or tail as I have see before, somewhat unusual to me.

Joe did not want to spoil the stream by over fishing and I just wanted to eat something, so we headed out. I fixed two PBJ sandwiches for us and we hit the road. Wanting to tackle another blue liner I jumped in with Joe and headed down the road.

After about an hour and half we hit some big water. Oh yea, sorry Joe but I did eat both the sandwiches, hope you were not hungry. Fished for about an hour or so with only one miss for me and four fish for Joe. Considering the previous ten to one ratio I felt like I was up to par.

With tires squalling we arrived back at my car as the sun was setting. A full day of fishing, nothing could be better. I learned more in that one day about wild waters than I have in my entire life. I asked every question just like a two year old and had them all answered knowledgably. I am now hooked on blue lines.

Thanks again,

FlyNut



Jbharrison with fish in hand







FAT Boy!

[ditchmonkey]

could the fly size have been a problem, i usually fish a #14-16 and get nothing but huge explosive rises, try it, sounded like a good day though
ditch

[Riverguide]

those are some real pretty fish, good post.

[brownhunter]

Great looking fish and thanks for the pics while I'm at work.

[jbharrison]

Don't let him fool ya. Dennis did a fine job catchin them brookies, he also landed the first and the biggest!

Joe

[flynut]

Joe,

You wouldn’t have an extra hooded pullover in the back of your ride? Thinkin' I might of left one there.


Dennis