Sorry to do this everybody, but I was thinking that just about seven months from tomorrow, or approximately June 10, we could be entering another hexagenia hatch on Back Lake. It happened right around that time this past summer, so maybe we’ll get lucky and have it start early again next year. Couldn’t help but think this way, as the lake has frozen for the final time this year and the snow depth has reached 18″.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year …”
OMR and I just returned from another fantastic trip from Big Sky Country. We had a blast as usual fishing the Missouri, and landing a boat load of big rainbows thanks to our guide Ben Hardy. Jon’s always begging to have his picture taken but I had to put a stop to it since it was interrupting my fishing time.
We had two fantastic days with Ben. Supposedly the MO wasn’t fishing well but we proved that wrong, and at times with doubles on. On our second day, I really did well, and I actually heard Ben tell OMR, ” She’s kicking your ass, man”. Ya baby!! If you haven’t experienced Montana yet, I suggest you head out to Craig, MT for some of the best trout fishing of your life, as well as some pretty incredible scenery.
And OMR’s already talking about fishing the section of the Andro that is still open to fishing. I don’t know about that. When it gets really cold, I can think of other things to do.
Today was the first time in many years I did not fish on the last day of the season. It was cold, windy, which I know never stopped me in the past but I just couldn’t do it today. Age I guess.
We had a couple of old guests up here for the close of the season, and being regulars on the Connecticut River, they did very well.
Visiting with Billy and Bob this week was better than great. Reminiscing. Talking about old friends still here, and some gone, talking flies, reliving those great nights on Back Lake or those incredible days on the Trophy. Those were the days. OMG, I sound like Edith Bunker! I think Billy and Bob had another one of those days this week. Another one to remember.
Believe it or not, fishing season is over. Very sad for all of us. I did get to wet a line on the Connecticut River for one last time in 2010.
With the nor’easter blasting us all last night and most of today, let’s just say that it wasn’t a great day to be out there, at least that’s what I thought at first. That changed pretty quickly when I hooked a Trophy Stretch rainbow on a soft hackle streamer (gray), and then watched in amazement as a large, brightly colored trout chased, and missed, my streamer. I think it was one of those brood stock brookies that looked so brilliant in his fall colors. Anyway, I proceeded to land two acrobatic and very healthy landlocked salmon on the same streamer (picture below), and then a final native brook trout to close out my season.
Maybe I’ll be able to fish in Vermont once in these next two weeks, if I’m not busy chasing gray ghosts of the feathered kind (grouse), but at least I had a few hours today. The last day of the season is always sad for many of us, but look at it this way, opening day for the Connecticut River is a mere 76 days away.
What will you be doing on January 1st? I know what I’ll be doing …
It’s been a little tough fishing for some people but most seem to be getting a few fish on a variety of flies. There doesn’t seem to be one fly that is THE fly. Here are a few photos of recent catches on the Andro and the Connecticut River.
Ginette White captured this great shot of a salmon jumping the falls on the Catch & Release section of the Connecticut River.
Very cool!