Wayyyy Behind...

But, I got stuff to share from the Salmon River...and heading back out there Sunday!

Just no time to do any of that now.

Also...more invasive species news. Doesn't look good. Hopefully my Queen stay's clean...probably won't be long though. Sacandaga's too close.

The Day the Music Died...

I'm depressed.

I've spent the past six and a half months living in a fantasy dream world.

Last night, it all came crashing down.

For the first time since I broke out the gear this spring, I actually put all the fishing crap away...because for once, I honestly don't know when I'll make it out again.

It's not away for the year. I hope to make a few trips a month still. But everything just got more complicated. Daylight hours are still waning, Default is closed for the season, and the chill will be turning the bass off if it hasn't already.

Putting the gear away is like sifting through the leftovers of a failed relationship. It just doesn't seem right. This has easily been the best fishing year I've ever experienced. Diverse and successful. Fly fishing trips have seen Adirondack ponds and local lakes, trickle streams and Ontario tribs, and have brought to hand all manner of trout, bass and panfish. Trolling Ontario has brought salmon, steelhead and browns, and we filled the coolers (and our stomachs) with mackerel and bluefish in the outer-banks, not to mention tangling with a few black-tips.

It was a year of firsts, and will hopefully continue to be, as my trusty new 8 wt carries me through the fall and winter steelhead season. I have nothing to complain about, but as I think of my poor rods stuffed into that dark corner, I can't help but be saddened by the fact they linger unused.

The boss is gone...I just may have enough time for a run to a lake I haven't seen since spring. A half hour from now the rod and I will be riding down Rte 66, and the world will have meaning again.

The Rundown...

Yeah, yeah, get off my back, I've been busy and I know there are thousands, millions probably, out there clamoring for an update.

Alex took me to the Salmon River a couple weekends ago. It was my first time out there, and it was amazing. I hooked up with a few salmon but didn't land any, and Alex still hasn't sent me the picture of the massive brown I brought to hand, but needless to say, it was a blast. Had such a good time I'm heading back out this weekend with Brian, and hopefully will meet up with a few guys from Fish with a Fly. With any luck, the crowds will be starting to thin out and the browns and steelies will be thick.

Alex fighting a king on his half-century-old glass 7 wt.

Apparently Alex is a little self conscious. Too bad he didn't have the same concern for the poor salmon (notice the torn up jaw; also notice the chartreuse egg inside the fish's mouth - see, they will bite in the rivers).

This past weekend it was time for a little getaway. I always yearn for the Adirondacks, and this would be the last chance to fish many of the ponds (trout season closes on most waters tomorrow). We hit up a not-quite-remote pond a few miles inside the park boundary. Columbus Day Weekend meant crowds, no open leantos, and a particularly obnoxious group across the water from us. But who can complain about the weekend we had? Great temps, gorgeous foliage, and (for once) a few cooperative fish. We didn't catch a lot, but enough to keep a smile on our faces, and even throw a few on the fire.

You probably can't see the little red speck that is Joe wet-wading in front of the point we camped on. You can see the colors of autumn though.

Waders are such flattering attire.

This girl was bigger than she looks. My hands are massive, I swear.

All I can say about this picture is I wish the angle was better. They don't get much prettier than this.

One of the few windless moments of the weekend.

I thought those brookies (my first ever on the fly) would be the last regular-season "trout" of the year. Luckily, I somehow managed up to Default Pool after work today for about a half hour. Once again, I didn't expect much other than to say goodbye for the season.

Is there any question why this is my favorite place to fish? I mean, besides it being literally next to the road, only 8 miles from my door....

Same vantage, downstream....

One final surprise. When I saw the beetle disappear under the water, I figured the size 18 prince nymph was hung-up. It was, on the corner of his mouth.

Who could ask for anything more?

To Fish or Tie...

So, my truck was delivered to the my office around 4 pm on Tuesday. Took 'er for a spin, completed the paperwork, shook hands, and was on the Mohawk by 6.

First time out in 2 weeks. Only had about an hour to fish before dark (damn you winter, I know you're coming). Thankfully, as soon as I stepped off the bank, I was hooked up. Managed about 20 smallies with 3 of decent size (12-14"). All on a cone-head natural/tan bunny-strip. Unfortunately, Brian didn't do nearly as well. He threw all his usuals (bug nymphs, buggers), but couldn't buy a fish. I almost felt guilty. (Almost.)

Now I have a dilemma. Heading to the Salmon River Sunday (gonna be a long day...), and should really tie at least something up. Tonight is pretty much my last chance. But...maybe I need to shake the rust off my casting arm....