Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Since September – A Lot’s gone under the Bridge

My last post was way back in September.  A lot has happened since then.  

Some good, some not so good.  

Fishing activity was very limited.  I tried to get out a couple of times but I just wasn't in the right place at the right time.
I pass it everyday and fished it a couple of times so I thought - why not today?

It only took a glance to answer that question - Chocolate River -
even the graffiti looked better than the high muddy water.
October wasn’t totally fishless.  However, it was definitely a fish of a different color – orange – or more specifically - “pumpkin.”  I saw a photo of a scene from Finding Nemo 2 and I thought that it might be something I could turn into a Halloween jack o’ lantern. 






My rendition is not really close to the original, but it was fun to carve.

Back to fishing stuff!

I was able to find the time to build another fly rod last fall – a 12’, 7 weight Spey rod.  Here are a few photos of its construction:

Handle in my handmade handle vice
Starting the wrap - two-tone brown on an Olive blank
Wrap finished and Flex Coat finish applied and on the drying rack - all 12 feet!
Finished product!  Looks really great in the sunlight - better on the river - I bet!
I have yet to test it on the water, but Spring is just around the corner and the Steelhead will be staging soon to run up and grab a few of my DFB flies. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!!!

I also have 6 more rods in the Queue – I just need the time to build!

My last fishing foray was back at my favorite trout stream, the East Branch of the Croton River the day after Thanksgiving.  As you know, I always try to get back to the East Branch when we visit relatives for the holidays.  This time it was, as I mentioned, Thanksgiving.

I knew there were fish in my future – the signs were everywhere – even in the Thruway rest areas on the drive down.  Here are some of the displays in the rest stops.








Then, once in CT – there was the food and fun – and for me the fun included the fish!

Food, as always, was outstanding.  And this time I managed to contribute a bit with some help. And the two who helped me were Nona and my Mom.

The feast was held at Janet and Nona’s house.  And it was truly a feast.  Along with the Turkey and fixins, there was the antipasto – a meal in itself.  This time, I was called on to pinch hit for Nona with Roasted Peppers.  With Nona’s recipe and calling on the Italian 25% of my heritage, I managed to pull off a respectable bowl of roasted red peppers.

Stage 1 - pick the best peps you can
Stage 2 - Need a good FAST char - too long in the heat turns the meat to mush
Stage 3 - no skin, no seeds, NO rinse = great flavor
Stage 4 - Some like to leave them in big chunks - I prefer the thin slices that let the seasoning seep deep
Stage 5 - Finished peppers ready for a crusty piece of bread, fresh mozzarella, and a touch of balsamic glaze -
Thank you, Nona!
And, after the Turkey bones were picked clean, I took the carcass and with my Mom’s recipe and some spices and celery, carrots and onions made turkey noodle soup for the next day.

Everybody in the pool!
Hand needed, hand rolled paper thin and  hand cut -
I watched my Mom do this many many times -
 she made it look easy - it's NOT!
Not as good as Mom's, but not too shabby -
Thank you, Mom!
But, the food highlight for me came a week later at home when I was able to feast on Janet’s Eggplant – again.  

Simply the Best!
Thank you ,Janet!
She’s been very kind over the years by giving me my favorite dish of all time to take home to enjoy later.  And this time, it was extra special because she included a jar of her incredible sauce – it could make my 10 year old Topsiders taste good!  

But - Back to the Fish!

The Friday after Thanksgiving was very cold – high barely 30.  But the day was clear and wind free and I dressed for the cold.  The fishing was slow.  I met a few fishermen who had very little luck, but that was better than mine by late afternoon.  Then, I met an angler who told me of a spot a mile downstream that gave up 5 trout – the best I heard of that day.  He used a #14 gold ribbed hare’s ear in combination with a #20 midge pupa.

By the time the conversation ended, it was late afternoon and the sun was heading down.  I decided to take one more shot at a spot I tried last Easter.  I hooked, played and lost a nice rainbow Easter weekend 2013 and thought I’d take the hike and get in another try at the same fish.

With the sun falling fast, I got in two drifts and connected with my Easter friend.  This time, after several minutes of trying to shake the hook as she did last Easter, she let me slip a net under her and posed for a photo before she went back home.  

16" of rainbow caught on the 10'6" 5 wt. switch rod I made - made my day!
She took the Gold ribbed Hare’s ear recommended by the angler I met earlier.

I went out again the next morning to try the spot recommended to me.  
Looks like a nice day - looks, as they say, can be deceiving!
Unfortunately, while the sun was again very bright and no wind, by 10:00 am the temp had only reached 23.  My boots and waders were in the car overnight and were very solidly frozen!  It was really a challenge getting ready.  Then, my line frequently froze in the guides.  

I spent a few hours testing the new water, but got not a bite.  And the only other angler I saw was a feathered one – I hope he had better luck.

Can you see him?  He's the one wet wading in nearly freezing water.
There he is!  Great Blue Heron - stone still waiting for the moment to strike.
Here's a shot a bit closer and warmer!  This one was from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/onlineguide/
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Online Bird Guide - it's a really great site.
But, things got really interesting later that night. 

After dinner the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my wife fell and broke her ankle in three places.  

After spending the night in the emergency room, we decided that we would not leave on Sunday as planned, but head home Monday morning and get to the Buffalo Orthopaedic Group (where my daughter Kristin works) and get set for surgery.

So, since we had to stay an extra day, my first thought was, of course, one more day to go fishing! 

No, I didn’t go – cold front still hanging around.  But my wife did tell me it would have been OK – 
I love my wife!

She’s on the mend and the rivers can’t stay frozen forever, so everything is getting back to normal – in more ways than one - 
but it will take some time and patience and understanding of the meaning of 
"family".

See you on the water!


Dave


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