tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77143386999991085742024-02-07T02:37:33.828-05:00Atlantic Salmon FliesClassic and ModernBen B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-65208697078173814752023-08-08T13:38:00.013-04:002023-08-08T13:42:58.234-04:00When Should I Go Salmon Fishing in Connecticut?? **UPDATED**<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2gjUcS63z_Jd-nLSAo49MriFqneYK_Qy-jKgTXicx8-d-viNaLVympRv2twpnhBaugyfvWyO_NdkmR_o3s2WjKU0IO-GdzvalgPLy0uXTkx2Llo_0NcgbLGKgcSPejV5Uv9cLj8XoWSO2yIlONaWmnImflegAVLXZvi1ZSr3s4pKDMHCadiju5KNE8A/s3652/IMG_3711.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="2897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2gjUcS63z_Jd-nLSAo49MriFqneYK_Qy-jKgTXicx8-d-viNaLVympRv2twpnhBaugyfvWyO_NdkmR_o3s2WjKU0IO-GdzvalgPLy0uXTkx2Llo_0NcgbLGKgcSPejV5Uv9cLj8XoWSO2yIlONaWmnImflegAVLXZvi1ZSr3s4pKDMHCadiju5KNE8A/s320/IMG_3711.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read the fine print, pal! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Every year, newcomers to Connecticut’s broodstock Atlantic salmon fishery ask me about my favorite time of year to fish. Usually, this question comes from anglers looking to book a day of guided fishing on the lower Naugatuck River. I type/email this info all time, so I might as well do it here one final time and send the link when asked this question in the future.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Really, there is no “best” time. There are times I prefer more than others, but I have had good fishing in every month from September to April, depending on conditions in a given year. There are pros and cons for every month/time period and I will do my best to outline them here. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcSl4budaFtAeTYK9I2h4ZcBkSbfwV7mmYw7aMDsg5G1nBahQM2PWiHqlb4wJ_D7rZCEX-HvBw8GENL8jiTcjtGtNC-6rqi7gcVPKWJmRn17hhaOO2TKHARmKbN8bXCymcjqReRKqWO3G77YzOmW1RFNrao8TAIgznrqbv0QGcpOXMLtEpxFd2_n9zwe0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="1981" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcSl4budaFtAeTYK9I2h4ZcBkSbfwV7mmYw7aMDsg5G1nBahQM2PWiHqlb4wJ_D7rZCEX-HvBw8GENL8jiTcjtGtNC-6rqi7gcVPKWJmRn17hhaOO2TKHARmKbN8bXCymcjqReRKqWO3G77YzOmW1RFNrao8TAIgznrqbv0QGcpOXMLtEpxFd2_n9zwe0=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First salmon of last season<br />Sept 26, 2023 - dry fly!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>September & October</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><b></b><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Most years, the first salmon stocking happens in early October. That said, I can recall two seasons when conditions made a late September stocking possible (2013 and 2022). September of 2013 was great because hardly anyone knew it happened (it was before Facebook and email updates). I had the place pretty much to myself for two warm weeks and I caught a ton of fish. Last season didn’t see heavy angling pressure in September but, for better or for worse, social media prevented me from having a repeat of September 2013. No biggie…there are enough fish for everyone. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Early season PROs:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">• Warm water temps keep the fish active, aggressive, and fighting harder </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">• Barren (unspawned) salmon are more common early in the season. They usually fight with the most intensity </p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fishing is more “multi dimensional” - Dry flies, hitched flies/tubes, wet flies, deeply fished flies, etc. are all viable techniques at this time, which makes fishing much more interesting </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The fish are less susceptible to the ill effects of angling pressure early in the season </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The fishing day is longer and the temperature is at its most comfortable </li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Early season CONs:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We’re fishing over fewer salmon compared to later in the year </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Early season salmon are rarely large (average size measured in inches, not pounds)</li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The “bite window” is often less predictable than it is later in the season (when the water is cold) </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A longer bite window can easily become a situation where more time on the water is needed to hook up, leading to some long and fatiguing sessions </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The water can be low, making fly presentation (and solid hooksets) tricky </li>
</ul><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfnHwSX0xb3PsZ1XN6ee8xYDWAmytcYgKfogIGCkr_gGOaRwqmhkqNsgz71M-8Bv13-doLjO5Ss9y_uqFTByRZ3g02fAaKALOJv9rE2zx71Uky6g39s11Z3qxecDGIfqx-XPnXNTn-mBcrypaSz0m8RZbYhxXZd8M99nyE6P1bwNi8f3eH62Va7FWqxN8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="3411" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfnHwSX0xb3PsZ1XN6ee8xYDWAmytcYgKfogIGCkr_gGOaRwqmhkqNsgz71M-8Bv13-doLjO5Ss9y_uqFTByRZ3g02fAaKALOJv9rE2zx71Uky6g39s11Z3qxecDGIfqx-XPnXNTn-mBcrypaSz0m8RZbYhxXZd8M99nyE6P1bwNi8f3eH62Va7FWqxN8" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brusiser browns can be a welcome bycatch in November</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>November</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><b></b><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">November is the least predictable autumn month. It’s thirty days of highs and lows. I have probably caught more broodstock salmon in November than in any other month. Year in and year out, it’s the most consistent month. That said, I’ve seen brutal cold fronts and/or storms shut down fishing in November for a week or two at a time. It’s a crapshoot, but I think the odds of having a good November fishing are better overall than having a bad November, especially in the first half of the month. You never really know. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">November PROs:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">More and bigger salmon in the river </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Though it’s getting colder, most of the month doesn’t yet require coldwater tactics and the fish are still fairly active</li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overcast/rainy days seem to be more common, which can improve the fishing </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Low water is usually (but not always) less of an issue </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The fish have had time to spread out, often times moving into less pressured areas </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Every once in a while, you can catch some fairly large spawning run brown trout in November </li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">November CONs:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">LEAVES IN THE WATER - hands down, this is the worst part of November (can happen in October some years). It doesn’t necessarily mean bad fishing, but it gets really annoying unless you get a lot of action (it happens sometimes, but don’t count on it) </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Unpredictable weather can make planning a November trip risky, especially late in the month</li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We lose an hour of daylight in early November </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Salmon will still take a fly just under the surface, but usually won’t take one on the surface like they might in September and October </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Salmon who remain in popular pools have seen a lot of angling pressure by now </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The weather can be raw at times </li>
</ul><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQEgcLDPK7HACLaJXztO59wVt9i1xzBi6jMolPqdndQ-9G1WF0qnSUcXu_haYxFnoxYYcpnq6N2qjoc8RxQvk77uzouNV7_YiYZ6Io0ypdzKdOLnY_UQ7D7uqaFFSHnvYr4VLoJrubxh4zTVp5pnp82XOCKVK3fM6NTU2iAzWuRRcdyOk3zXCxOOp7A7E" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="2631" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQEgcLDPK7HACLaJXztO59wVt9i1xzBi6jMolPqdndQ-9G1WF0qnSUcXu_haYxFnoxYYcpnq6N2qjoc8RxQvk77uzouNV7_YiYZ6Io0ypdzKdOLnY_UQ7D7uqaFFSHnvYr4VLoJrubxh4zTVp5pnp82XOCKVK3fM6NTU2iAzWuRRcdyOk3zXCxOOp7A7E" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last fish of last year, caught on New Year's Eve</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /></div>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>December</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><b></b><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The final salmon stocking typically happens at the beginning of December. Some of the remaining fish can be quite large. The catch and release season ends mid-month, with one salmon per day being legal from December 16 onwards. For those who want to target large (but not necessarily plentiful) salmon, December is the best month in which to do it. An unusually warm stretch of weather in December can sometimes make for the most reliable and productive fishing of the whole season. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">December PROs:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In theory (not always reality), we should have a short period of time in December where we are fishing over the maximum possible number of salmon in a given season </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There will be big fish around </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After water temps bottom out, the bite window becomes very predictable, with almost all action occurring from midday to early afternoon</li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Weather trends (warmer later in the year than in the past) have actually made for some stellar Decembers in recent years. </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Decreased angling pressure and salmon spread throughout the river can make fish that were once “stale” go on the take again</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">December CONs:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Salmon become lethargic, often taking the fly softly and with less solid hookups </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Cold water puts a damper on salmon fights </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The total balance of salmon begins to decrease starting on the 16th, whether the final stocking has taken place by then or not </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tactics become one dimensional…fishing low and slow with sink tips or full sink lines </li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Even though Decembers have been trending warmer in recent years, volatile weather is still a distinct possibility </li>
</ul><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4x5xaDWf7Jl3_T48mkUjO4cBaJb4pcAkLPGPJtpzU48U_eggeoicQ6oIBbk1_IApM-dlpudgrKtWyVZFQ3wk7KSOgLoOZpoqqYRQDn-M2N0OSWDttwhIisYTgxltN0FBg9Ug81FoC4uSmVda6b_cJxVRRuoMYrJ8T1o3r4Jy9xA8TsZA2akonMmxWLNw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="2244" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4x5xaDWf7Jl3_T48mkUjO4cBaJb4pcAkLPGPJtpzU48U_eggeoicQ6oIBbk1_IApM-dlpudgrKtWyVZFQ3wk7KSOgLoOZpoqqYRQDn-M2N0OSWDttwhIisYTgxltN0FBg9Ug81FoC4uSmVda6b_cJxVRRuoMYrJ8T1o3r4Jy9xA8TsZA2akonMmxWLNw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow way, Jose! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>January - February </b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><b></b><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fishing can be an extension of December if winter is mild. It can also shut down entirely. Melting snow will chill the river and can slow the fishing down. Conversely, little snow and a warm stretch can make for short periods of good salmon fishing. Overall, however, I’m not too thrilled with winter salmon fishing. Unless it hasn’t snowed much or gotten very cold, I typically stop guiding (and fishing) by the end of December. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHRO-hfcxXyNRArkT7ilMJN4I_wtdcz2uEyVP0hb_j-ZsH-gKqT-oxi2pzuy1NSDov3IQfw8wgtk9Og8axQKH41El0BA-cDiTZIB9Hkyt9LmlQnmwsD4QR75Tz84Ag0MsFGi4_SmFWAKvigy-kpNuHzKfnh87wEMa4tiT4uSHXipqM0xwFlu7ygpQ7Je0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHRO-hfcxXyNRArkT7ilMJN4I_wtdcz2uEyVP0hb_j-ZsH-gKqT-oxi2pzuy1NSDov3IQfw8wgtk9Og8axQKH41El0BA-cDiTZIB9Hkyt9LmlQnmwsD4QR75Tz84Ag0MsFGi4_SmFWAKvigy-kpNuHzKfnh87wEMa4tiT4uSHXipqM0xwFlu7ygpQ7Je0" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March in 2014...snow was melting, it was warming up, and salmon were on the the take.<br />While Dec & Jan fishing has improved, March fishing has gotten worse.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Spring</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In my experience, Spring is the least predictable time to fish for broodstock salmon. One of the best months I’ve ever had was in March 2016. I was catching consistently (some big fish too) and no one else was around. But in recent years, March weather has been horrible and with little possibility of good salmon fishing. The latest I’ve ever caught a broodstock salmon was on April 30. By that time, I am usually tired of it and ready to move on, though I’m sure some can be caught into May and possibly beyond. I’ve long thought that the possibility of dry fly fishing can come back in the spring. I’ve never had success with it then, but I have heard of salmon being caught during Hendrickson hatches. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Not every spring fishes well. Some years, it seems like the salmon move out of the river en masse and don’t come back. I don’t guide in the spring (without lots of disclaimers!), but wouldn’t be opposed to it if the fish are around and the weather cooperates. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">————————————————————</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As our weather patterns seem to shift, so does the information above. I think most of it holds true…things like the photoperiod don’t change even if the weather does. Also, the leaves are still going to fall and drive us nuts, no matter when it happens. It seems like fall lasts longer and winter comes later, bleeding into what used to be spring. It’s almost as if each month displays itself as the month that precedes it, i.e. November is the new December, which is the new January, etc. Salmon fishing itself is inherently unpredictable, so why should the weather be any different? </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s a cliché, but the best time to fish is whenever you can. That and you can’t catch a salmon if your fly isn’t in the water. My advice is to get out there as much as possible, regardless of the month. Observe trends and fish behavior, then modify your fishing methods accordingly! </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">————————————————————</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">**<a href="https://theleaper.blogspot.com/2017/08/connecticut-broodstock-atlantic-salmon.html">I just realized I made a post about this very subject six years ago.</a> I probably should have looked </span><i>before</i> typing. Oh well...this post is more up to date. Compare it to the post from 2017 and you'll have even more info at your disposal. My loss of time is your gain of information! </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">***I made a post about favorite flies for favorite months around the same time as the other 2017 post. The update to that is way more simple...just use Ally's Shrimp in various sizes. It has replaced the Mickey Finn as my ultimate go-to Naugatuck salmon fly. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdZ96WSVEbG5S-rTXeSNnZzL_6HAbpzDBOlazHEgFImRuQ5LZr5MZzYvgX42htEJnkSNaaqKqUpvhNf_27-pn5fzH-UArPNXkBbSlsapla-gKUTp8h9mIc2HO1DaJgB0L0R-pE0xCIJZQig9hnSucLJtLUmcNVP4jNgEX478ZoPNVu-Pv1o0SmJu6IbBI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="2719" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdZ96WSVEbG5S-rTXeSNnZzL_6HAbpzDBOlazHEgFImRuQ5LZr5MZzYvgX42htEJnkSNaaqKqUpvhNf_27-pn5fzH-UArPNXkBbSlsapla-gKUTp8h9mIc2HO1DaJgB0L0R-pE0xCIJZQig9hnSucLJtLUmcNVP4jNgEX478ZoPNVu-Pv1o0SmJu6IbBI" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of five hooked on a fruitful day of guiding/fishing last October<br />(on an Ally's Shrimp) </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-79825743299067251742021-08-06T10:12:00.001-04:002021-08-06T10:12:56.415-04:00Unbelievably Late Report & the Upcoming Season <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Kfdlwsfcr0GT6G_c6vbcH4xiA52tsUdix8iunHvVJmQTU2Z2nDn2NwOeOfxmX88tu6gl8O_ixv4pfo_BT4PcpFotAQcWqVfqQOtTDMTUAZWk7twTLMypp-Q319yqPq2pINKPJZ9wzQk/s2048/Alec1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Kfdlwsfcr0GT6G_c6vbcH4xiA52tsUdix8iunHvVJmQTU2Z2nDn2NwOeOfxmX88tu6gl8O_ixv4pfo_BT4PcpFotAQcWqVfqQOtTDMTUAZWk7twTLMypp-Q319yqPq2pINKPJZ9wzQk/w320-h240/Alec1.jpg" title="A hard fighting November salmon" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hard fighting November salmon</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span> </span>A while ago, I decided to stop posting regular reports to take a little heat off of the fishery. I actually did mean to post an overall report last season, but it sort of slipped my mind. There's no time like the present!</div><div><br /></div><div><span> The one thing that stood out about the 2020-2021 season was how small the fish were. They were really puny. I've never caught so many small salmon in one </span>season. From what I understand, the hatchery had problems with this year class of fish, starting at the egg stage. From what I've heard, last season was just an outlier in that respect. I still had fun, but it definitely made me miss the old days (fewer, but much larger, fish) even more than usual. </div><div><br /></div><div><span> Even though all of my own catches were small, my clients tied into some nice fish. There were a couple of scraps that I thought the salmon would win, but both anglers came out victorious. There were plenty of small fish caught, too. In all, it was a very productive season and a lot of fun. I could tell people appreciated being out after being cooped up for so long. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKkS9X5ELnlouMwSMmbhPEgmNlaD-1kGJsNqj-CMGwcz1sTaNZrzGYM7MOWoy6UuLFCKl8yMtUFmh7lHMkD8-PthCbQnyeNg_UKvi1oPlIlhj3q9WQrt140XcxoaGh6Hb8-Y8e3U61z0/s2048/ErikSalmon1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKkS9X5ELnlouMwSMmbhPEgmNlaD-1kGJsNqj-CMGwcz1sTaNZrzGYM7MOWoy6UuLFCKl8yMtUFmh7lHMkD8-PthCbQnyeNg_UKvi1oPlIlhj3q9WQrt140XcxoaGh6Hb8-Y8e3U61z0/s320/ErikSalmon1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another hard fighter on light tackle </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> The overwhelming choice for fly of the year went to the conehead Ally's Shrimp tube fly. All three salmon pictured in this post were caught on that fly, as well as several other salmon. I fished mostly classic salmon flies and caught several salmon on them. I also recall catching one on a Green Machine and a couple on <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2017/11/naugatuck-report-november-25-2017.html" target="_blank">Shumakov's Golden Shrimp</a> (I catch salmon on this every season...will make a post about it soon). As far as guiding, however, I stuck with the Ally's tube fly and there was really no need to use too much else. Detailed tying instructions for the Ally's tube can be found in my ebook, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Book.html" target="_blank">"Flies for Connecticut Salmon: How to Tie & Fish Them." </a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWSt-lfZIPn2CR0YwCmwrpQrfMJrSelgBFWxsmt5ds-IfHmd-PmTuPKjqqhho0ohGog2C7lF6vccXlDMk_JDUSShunzavUQhrngyb8VQovkQnm4kXkFr4i3_10BXTh5gHfZFKBHLJ-iU/s2048/Conehead+Ally%2527s+Tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWSt-lfZIPn2CR0YwCmwrpQrfMJrSelgBFWxsmt5ds-IfHmd-PmTuPKjqqhho0ohGog2C7lF6vccXlDMk_JDUSShunzavUQhrngyb8VQovkQnm4kXkFr4i3_10BXTh5gHfZFKBHLJ-iU/s320/Conehead+Ally%2527s+Tubes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conehead Ally's Shrimp - Fly of the Year 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> As far as the upcoming season goes, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Salmon_School.html" target="_blank">I am planning on guiding again</a>. We've had plenty of rain so, as long as it doesn't stop altogether, we might have an early start to the season. My favorite time to fish is early on, so that would be great if it works out. If you're interested in booking, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Contact.html" target="_blank">contact me</a> and I will add you to my email list. I offer discounts for multiple days booked in case you'd like to book more than one trip in a season. I look forward to seeing some of you in the upcoming salmon season! <br /><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR5_GWjIlxLMBMKZUQg-dCdT3YEV3AfWhUmtf77ktZjyTALR7I3Iv7TOUafQHQG76YJzB3rrQofGj-NKzcrZxOejdSBl4M5R_QL9Yp25RhXwW0cxuPQE3sZP0l1EH8S_p244lUkkBzKE/s2048/Val.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR5_GWjIlxLMBMKZUQg-dCdT3YEV3AfWhUmtf77ktZjyTALR7I3Iv7TOUafQHQG76YJzB3rrQofGj-NKzcrZxOejdSBl4M5R_QL9Yp25RhXwW0cxuPQE3sZP0l1EH8S_p244lUkkBzKE/s320/Val.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve rocket </td></tr></tbody></table>Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-24153559846142660782021-01-04T00:00:00.001-05:002021-01-04T00:00:04.292-05:00Ten Tips for CT Salmon Anglers <p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrVWBb5OrSkrwfLfdW3FLkcppOO4K0dj3VUeBpXx0uEsnDH0nCYgMRBhMtjllcbwsCONpjosU-LDRC4LqFpu8mYg8JUKt7df1plM4TgT2vgczhS7zojDOMkmybjoPzQjXolnj2QMlGc0/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrVWBb5OrSkrwfLfdW3FLkcppOO4K0dj3VUeBpXx0uEsnDH0nCYgMRBhMtjllcbwsCONpjosU-LDRC4LqFpu8mYg8JUKt7df1plM4TgT2vgczhS7zojDOMkmybjoPzQjXolnj2QMlGc0/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice male, caught in an under-fished location</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Since I took 2019 off from guiding, rarely fished, and largely checked out of what was happening in and around the CT salmon fishing scene, I sort of forgot about how others choose to navigate this fishery. I never forgot how I did things. It came back immediately in 2020. If anything, I found myself thinking more clearly than ever. I fished relatively few flies, but picked them with greater thought. I wasted very little time. If I wanted to use a "novelty fly," I did so on my first pass, when an aggressive salmon would be most likely to take it. If that didn't work, I chose something more "sensible" for the next pass. This fall, the salmon were a little crankier than usual and this season hammered home some important lessons. I know some folks are still struggling to hook up, so I will share a few of these lessons here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Efficiency is KING </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Every cast has to count. Every cast has to be your best. Every cast has to fish as perfectly as possible. That doesn't mean that you must be able to cast a country mile, but the ability to do so doesn't hurt. Practice casting, but not while you're fishing. Fishing requires a different type of focus than does casting practice. One will suffer if they are done simultaneously. Practice casting in the wind. Practice casting with obstructions. Practice all of that so, when you're actually FISHING, you are making the most of your time by casting as well as possible. When every cast counts, you'll be fishing as efficiently as possible and you will make the most of your day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Never stop moving </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Move all day long. Don't stop. Unless you're working a fish, don't stand in the same spot for more than two casts. Cover as much water as possible. If a pool doesn't produce, get out of there. Unless you find takers, fish as many pools as possible in the course of an outing. Don't forget to try the water on the margins. You just might find your new honey hole. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. The fly doesn't matter </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fly doesn't really matter. I like to tie, so I have a lot of flies. But I could get by with far fewer. I just need a couple flies for surface fishing, a couple for just under the surface, a couple long and/or heavy tubes, a couple flies for high/dirty water, a fly for low/clear water and a change-of-pace fly or two. Even within that list, I can think of patterns that would do double duty. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>4. Choose your fly with care </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know I just said the fly doesn't matter. However, some flies are better suited to this purpose than others, and those are the flies I want to have. For example, when the water gets cold, salmon don't take as hard, don't always turn on the fly, and don't often get hooked in the corner of the jaw. For that reason, I use tube flies with a hook that rides behind the materials. People ask if our salmon eat woolly buggers. Of course they do...but I wouldn't be caught dead using a long tailed fly in 36º water. When the salmon takes soft, I want to make sure he gets 100% of the hook in his mouth since I know hooksets are inherently dicey at this time of year. I have specific flies for specific sets of conditions. When they fish are acting recklessly, anything will work. For the majority of the time, I am looking for a fly that will make the most of the conditions at hand, be it water height, temperature, clarity, the amount of sun of the water, etc. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>5. Choose your fly line with care</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like my fly, I choose my line according to conditions. Unless the water is low enough for me to fish a single handed rod and a floating line, I use a short two handed rod and Scandinavian shooting heads. The bulk of my salmon are caught with a floating head, but I have different densities of head at the ready. Need to fish a fly slowly through heavy chop? A fast sinking tip will get your fly down, but the floating head will still be fishing at the same speed as the surface of the water. Fully sinking heads are the best option for slowing the fly down in a situation like this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>6. Look for aggressive fish</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is relative of tip #2. Unless you find a bunch of eager salmon, keep looking for that one aggressive fish. Look for him up and down the river if you have to. Then, once you find and either land or lose him, look for the next aggressive fish. It's ok to spend a little more time on historically productive lies, but don't put all of your eggs into one basket. Keep moving until you find that fish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>7. Don't waste your time in less productive water</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sure, you might see a salmon jump across the river, in the frog water. Just leave it alone. The cruising fish are hard to pin down and hard to hook reliably. Fish the runs and let the spin fishermen take the frog water. Sure, you might not be casting over every single fish in a pool but, chances are, you'll be fishing over those you're more likely to hook and land on a fly. Plus, you can work through moving water much faster than still water, which brings us back to the ever-important tip #2. If you know some reliable frog water spots, that's a different story. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>8. Wait until you feel the weight of the salmon to set the hook</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is an oft repeated piece of advice. When fishing subsurface, don't trout set or you'll risk pull the fly from its mouth. Slow down. Set the hook when you feel the fish on. Let the salmon do most of the work for you, then smoothly raise the rod. If you use tube flies, there is no need to drive a thick salmon iron into their jaws with a Jimmy Houstonesque hook set. The exception is when stripping flies....(strip) strike first, (strip) strike hard, no mercy, sir! I often strip with two hands so I can remain in contact with the fly at all times. The worst is when the fish takes at the end of the strip and you run out of line to tighten. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>9. The fish moves when it's fighting. Why don't you? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This one should need no further explantation, yet it does...over and over again. The fish is constantly trying to get a better position on you. Why the hell would you stand in one place and let it? After the fish is hooked, as long as it can't be stripped right to hand, reposition yourself to make the fish work for every inch of line it takes. Boxing isn't just punching. It's mostly footwork. Don't stand still and let the fish pummel you. Keep moving and take back the upper hand. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>10. Put the wood to 'em!</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is an offshoot of the previous tip. When it comes to fighting larger and/or tougher fish, they will battle to a stalemate if they can. Meanwhile, the hook is getting looser and looser until either you get lucky or the fish does. Put some pressure on that fish. Keep him off balance. Keep pulling the hook <i>into</i> his mouth, not away from his mouth. That's a big one, so I will repeat it. If you're pulling directly upstream on a fish that is directly downstream from you, you will be pulling the fly towards you and away from the fish. By pulling the fly into his mouth, you will be exerting maximum pressure. Then, when he runs, you ease off the pressure. As soon as he stops, put the pressure back on immediately. At some point, either you will end the fight or the fish will. And, if you mess around for too long, you might get lucky, but kill the fish. So play them smart and play them hard. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">*BONUS TIPS*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Never be afraid to experiment. Sometimes it works and becomes a part of your repertoire. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-STAY POSITIVE!! I can't overemphasize this! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Read books. Read this blog, too. Read anything and everything, regardless of media type. Listen to podcasts. Be an information sponge. Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are great, but solid fishing strategy existed long before color photography, videos, etc. Books...they aren't just for geezers and nerds. It takes actual work to write a book. Yes, you will find some that are a bit suspect, but if someone cares enough about salmon fishing to write a book about it, you can probably learn something from it. No one does it for the money. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Feel free to comment below...compliments or criticism, either is fine with me. Add some tips of your own, if you're so inclined. I still have a lot to learn. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-71744965188772184322020-12-26T21:45:00.007-05:002020-12-26T21:45:58.290-05:00It's Been a While...<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Mq6ZzZmhzcdwO85dgEAx_vNSvGyGtkJgjoQUSOKUyvf4TMTj_jghwBHbL84LMJ7b4wU1raTNx3qdmAcLa8eHQ5fVKQi6R4pnL299XtBQ23k-vq9kupjCSnK-ljCPmKRtxzH2BKFfAmw/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1721" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Mq6ZzZmhzcdwO85dgEAx_vNSvGyGtkJgjoQUSOKUyvf4TMTj_jghwBHbL84LMJ7b4wU1raTNx3qdmAcLa8eHQ5fVKQi6R4pnL299XtBQ23k-vq9kupjCSnK-ljCPmKRtxzH2BKFfAmw/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small, but my favorite fish of the season nonetheless</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Hey! It's been a long time! I'm not sure if anyone reads blogs anymore or if anyone will actually check this. I didn't update this blog at all last season. I didn't guide last season, either, save for one trip that had been rescheduled from the year before. I think I fished the Naugatuck all of four times in 2019, though I did hook and lose one of the hardest fighting broodstock salmon I've encountered. I think I was a bit burned out last year. Also, I had tons of work in the music field, so I was plenty busy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enter 2020...very little work after mid-March, buckling under the stress of distance learning with a second grader, a wife who was super stressed out having to teach music online...and less time for fishing than ever. When students returned to school in September, things began to normalize a bit. There was still very little work for a performing musician, but I had plenty of time to fish all of a sudden. In light of the circumstances, guiding was back on in 2020. In all, it was a pretty decent season for both myself and my clients, though it was certainly not a normal season. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are a few things I noticed...First of all, there were fewer salmon around this year and most were a lot smaller than average compared to recent years. I caught my first one and thought, "What I've heard is true...these things are puny." Then I landed one about 5# immediately afterwards and thought, "That's more like it. That first one must have been an outlier." Nope. It was no outlier. Most were puny. That 5# fish was the largest I'd catch all fall though, luckily for me, I had clients who caught larger fish on guided trips. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The other strange thing was that, as a whole, they were more difficult to catch this season. There was only one day I saw them behaving recklessly. Usually, I see that happen a few times per year. Personally, I still did fine and caught enough fish to be satisfied, but I didn't land more than two in a day on any day. Every season, I have at least one four or five salmon day, and sometimes more/multiple days like that. But that didn't happen this year. I didn't hook one salmon, all season long, in my two most reliable spots. Or, what used to be my most reliable spots, I should say. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't really have an explanation...at least one which can be proven. I think the fact that we were fishing over fewer fish had something to do with it. The only other thing I can think of is, since I am used to targeting larger fish, maybe these little guys starting finding lies more suitable for smaller fish? I have caught a lot of salmon in a run with some relatively heavy water (for the Naugatuck). It was a salmon ghost town there this year. Maybe it was too much water for these little guys? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't know. In any event, I managed to adjust pretty quickly and still found enough fish for a successful season. I spent more time at pools I have avoided the past few years, so it was nice to get reacquainted with old water. I hooked a fish on a Sunray Shadow, fished at light speed. It's been a few seasons since I've had that happen, despite it being a staple in my arsenal for so long. I caught a couple fish on a classic salmon flies, namely the William Rufus and the Popham. That's always exciting for me. The fly of the year, for myself, my clients and one of my best buddies, was the Ally's Shrimp/Conehead Ally's tube fly. One of those two did the absolute bulk of the heavy lifting for us this season. Other good flies were the Golden Shrimp tube fly, the L.T. Special and, as always, the gold bodied Willie Gunn. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My favorite fish of all was the one pictured above, however. I caught it in my favorite pool. It's far from my most productive pool. It actually might be one of my least productive pools, but it will always be my favorite. The water moves at just the right speed and has a everything a salmon could want. But, for some reason, they seem to move in and out of that pool. They don't stay very long. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For some reason, salmon are susceptible to Buck Bugs when they find themselves in this pool. So, the fly for my first run through was a no brainer...Green Machine, sz. 4. About midway down the run, in fairly deep water, I saw a salmon come up to the surface and roll on the fly. Now, in recent years, I have seen this typical salmon behavior less and less. They either want the fly or they don't. They either take it or they don't. I remember epic chess matches with salmon, getting them to rise over and over, only to hook them or to bore them into giving up. But now, it's a lot more cut and dry, which makes me sad. My friends and I agree, they have been behaving less and less like salmon every year for the past four or five years. But this time, the fish wanted to behave as it should. So, I rested the fish for two or three minutes. I cast my Green Machine to the same spot...whammo! The fish nailed it. There was no prolonged chess match, and the fish was small and easily landed, but I was still satisfied with the events of that hookup. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I fished on Christmas Eve with my buddy Val. He got a nice fish in my favorite pool. I got my smallest salmon of the season immediately after. The river is blown out now. I might get out one more time in 2020 or I might be done until next fall. We'll see. I think I've actually seen the best of it this year, but it's not like I have any gigs to play, so I might as well fish as long as the weather cooperates. And, if it doesn't, I have fly orders to keep me busy...and some time to write, so maybe I will post some more here soon enough. If anyone reads this, I hope you had a happy holiday season and have a happy and fruitful new year! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Ben </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85biU1guJywrnsLuv-EX6hPx63BzitACBka_OsXvSScdaMBm9ed8Vsyza8AOBBvRDCLVarYbonGR6HTkgDngwKbRikONgOmr1TgPVi5Z_MpJzp6S-vbjkN9DIcWx1e1T68aKCnIfYPcI/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85biU1guJywrnsLuv-EX6hPx63BzitACBka_OsXvSScdaMBm9ed8Vsyza8AOBBvRDCLVarYbonGR6HTkgDngwKbRikONgOmr1TgPVi5Z_MpJzp6S-vbjkN9DIcWx1e1T68aKCnIfYPcI/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conehead Ally's Shrimp was top dog this season<br />(fished with a single hook, of course)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-27519719727396543002019-02-28T14:03:00.000-05:002019-02-28T14:03:05.255-05:00CT Broodstock Salmon Regulation Change and a Message <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkUCq38AlLYJMA6jz8ZBQYl098yCvxOOHfZc68K_SV6tODuMafaKHuKdj2Jmcdan6vPnckegMXRkO0xUmhVGwn5EzZEGp-8HY7zV2g6GWgQ-EUHLHyKueK6RwlHN_L9BsD8Nl-7L9tSs/s1600/BB+MF+10%253A23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkUCq38AlLYJMA6jz8ZBQYl098yCvxOOHfZc68K_SV6tODuMafaKHuKdj2Jmcdan6vPnckegMXRkO0xUmhVGwn5EzZEGp-8HY7zV2g6GWgQ-EUHLHyKueK6RwlHN_L9BsD8Nl-7L9tSs/s320/BB+MF+10%253A23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon and Mickey Finn from last October</td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">A couple years ago, I submitted a letter to the state of Connecticut’s Fisheries Advisory Council (FAC). The letter was in regards to extending the catch and release season for broodstock Atlantic salmon in Connecticut rivers. The gist of the letter was, since we had several drought years in a row, our C&R season was getting shorter and shorter every year. Also, since the final stocking (which happens to contain the largest salmon) occurs after the retention season begins (Dec. 1), anglers who practice C&R never get fish over the total number of salmon in the river. Furthermore, the opportunity to catch the largest salmon is reduced, as they are often harvested right away. From what I was told, my letter was well received. Since it wasn’t official business, the matter was tabled. Unfortunately, it was never made part of the official agenda in subsequent meetings. Fast forward to December 2018…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I was frustrated at how the salmon season had gone. Not only was the lower Naugatuck stocking greatly delayed at beginning of the season (which, in my opinion, was unwarranted), but rain and high water made fishing impossible for much of the season. Before we knew it, the catch and release season was over and C&R anglers had to deal with a declining balance of salmon as soon as the river was ready to fish. The last stocking of salmon occurred and the fish began to disappear immediately, adding to my frustration. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>On the Shetucket River, an angler friend of mine was also frustrated. While Phil was very vocal about what he perceived as problems, I was ready to wash my hands of all of it. Phil got to me and convinced me to share my experiences and opinions. As much as I hate to be the “squeaky wheel,” I shared my thoughts publicly. I was not at all surprised when many others shared the opinions of both Phil and myself. After a while, we could no longer be ignored and CT Fish & Wildlife opened a survey online. The survey asked whether anglers would be in favor of extending the C&R season for broodstock salmon and by how long the season should be extended. The results were published earlier this week (see the illustrations below). </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge (from CT Fish & Wildlife)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge (from CT Fish & Wildlife)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In light of the responses, the catch and release salmon season has been extended to December 15 of each year, adding about two weeks to the season. While I was happy that Phil and I made a bit of a difference, I was unsatisfied with the extension being only two weeks long given the responses to the survey were overwhelmingly in favor of an extension of at least four weeks. Look at the data and see for yourself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>While I am happy that the (future) last salmon of the season will most likely be able to spread through the river before they may be killed and retained, the data tells me that the majority of anglers who enjoy this fishery are in favor of an even longer catch and release season. One idea I had is to make it C&R until opening day, then allow anglers to retain up to two salmon and/or trout per day (instead of one salmon). As such, anglers won’t need to differentiate between salmon and brown trout, which is difficult for some people. The limit would be a combined limit of trout and/or salmon, following the regulations of the trout season. It would be easy for everyone to remember as the dates (and limits) for salmon retention would mirror those of trout retention. This proposal makes a lot of sense to me, but it most definitely will not be instituted anytime soon considering the recent change in regulations.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>After being ignored by “the powers that be,” I was ready tear all of this down. Take down the blog, take down the ebook, stop giving presentations, etc. I felt like my voice was being ignored, despite being a fierce advocate for this fishery. I had offered my consultation and input in the past, but had always been ignored. It was especially insulting, given how much time I have invested in this fishery, much of which was with the ultimate goal of helping people catch salmon and become advocates for the fishery. I hate that I had to resort to being a public “pest” to have my voice heard and acknowledged. That is not in my nature, but I have learned that it is necessary to affect change, as much as I hate to admit it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Which leads me to the point of this post...If someone else cares enough, it’s time for you to step up and take some of this on yourself. After many years of learning this fishery inside and out, extensively blogging about it, writing an ebook about the flies and techniques I use, giving a bunch of presentations, and guiding people on the river, I need a break. My son started kindergarten last fall and I can finally be a full-time musician again which, so far, has been going really well. I am going to leave all the information online so anglers can learn from it (<b>attn: young anglers…you need to search and research</b>). I will continue to give presentations. I will answer any questions anyone might have. But I am going back to being a casual angler. Of course, I have more ideas about what could improve this fishery, but I am not interested in pursuing them at the moment. If anyone who calls the shots cares to know, just ask and I will tell it all, but I am not going to pester you for change. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">So, thank you for reading and especially for filling out the survey. I will post here now and then, but in a more casual way. I probably won’t get too heavily into strategy and technique in the future. All of that can be found in the archives and in the ebook. I will probably be a bit of a phantom on the river, but please say “Hi” if we happen to fish next to one another. I have met some really nice folks who happen to read this blog. And, if one or more of you care to take on some of the issues we have on the river, I would be happy to offer any advice I have. </span></span>Remember<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">, sometimes you have to be the </span></span>squeaky<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> wheel. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Ben </span></span></div>
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<br />Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-40065220328271278072018-09-17T00:00:00.000-04:002018-09-17T00:00:01.555-04:00Prepping For Fall on the Naugatuck River<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs7lZxMYdXGD15yci_a0VDMYr5lM4s9lb8KpwFVktykvjXSj1X8oJEJss0K9ezxqnS_ZerhBkQtjWZfBb6NVlSj8g4GLU5jDZgpGnM7quXM7RGxQHi8qvxWj3Q33H7xIv7G7UM9LNhYI/s1600/UL+B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs7lZxMYdXGD15yci_a0VDMYr5lM4s9lb8KpwFVktykvjXSj1X8oJEJss0K9ezxqnS_ZerhBkQtjWZfBb6NVlSj8g4GLU5jDZgpGnM7quXM7RGxQHi8qvxWj3Q33H7xIv7G7UM9LNhYI/s320/UL+B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A particularly fiery October salmon</td></tr>
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I'm not going to make any predictions for this fall. I made them last summer and I was proven wrong...more wrong than I could have imagined. I thought the season would start earlier than normal. It started later than ever. I thought it would be a long, salmon-filled fall, winter, and spring. Salmon were caught, both by myself, as well as by anglers I guided. However, we didn't catch as many as in previous years, mainly due to the extremely short season. Trips had to be moved or canceled. The low water delayed the opening of the season, then environmental disasters further shortened the fall season, as well as bringing it to a premature close. </div>
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I'd like to think that all clouds have a silver lining. If the disasters that occurred on the river were the clouds, I'm hoping that increased scrutiny on all things river-related will be the silver lining. Maybe we had to go through this to make sure that the river won't be abused in the future. Despite the setbacks of last season, I am optimistic about this season. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M1 Killers - a good early season fly</td></tr>
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Cloud...this summer has been HOT. Silver lining...we've had a lot of rain and there is more in the forecast. Cloud...my son started kindergarten and I miss our weekday adventures. Silver lining...I have a lot more time to fish. I haven't taken advantage of it yet. I'm finishing up all the house-related work I put off over the summer so I'll have lots of time this fall. I'm relived to go back to being a weekday fisherman. </div>
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I will be guiding on the lower Naugatuck River again this fall. Information can be found <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Salmon_School.html">HERE</a>. If this rain continues, we might be able to fish with two handed rods all season long. I think the last time that happened was back in 2011. Some pools fish best in high water and some fish better in low water. I have spent a lot of time in the low water pools the past few years. Small flies, stripped by hand, were most successful. In average-to-high water, we can swing normal sized flies and, while the water is still warm, the salmon will rise to the surface to intercept them. </div>
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I don't know how frequently I will be posting fishing reports here. Over the years, I have covered an awful lot about this fishery. The archives are full of information, as is my ebook, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Book.html">Flies for Connecticut Atlantic Salmon: How to Tie and Fish Them</a>. I'm not sure I have much more to write about. But maybe I will...I don't know yet. </div>
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It should be an exciting fall season on the Naugatuck River. I'm going to get my tackle and flies ready this week. We might be salmon fishing within the next 2-4 weeks if all goes well. For more information, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Contact.html">CONTACT ME.</a> Otherwise, I will see you on the river this fall. </div>
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<br />Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-3005219083326079862018-09-11T20:09:00.000-04:002018-09-11T20:09:18.882-04:00Twitching and Skating for Pete<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmington River brook trout were abundant this summer.<br />They were all too willing to nail a Variant. </td></tr>
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After the spring runs are over, I switch to trout fishing mode. I usually hit a handful of local rivers, but I focused solely on the Farmington River this season. The Farmington was the favored haunt of a much-loved local angler who many of us were proud to call our friend. Pete, aka "TROUT I," was a Farmington River fishing machine. I learned a lot from Pete over the dozen or so years I knew him. Pete was very animated and he gave a realtime "play-by-play" of everything happening while he fished. We shared a lot of laughs, especially when the trout were "rising with blatant impunity."<br />
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Unfortunately, Pete passed away on July 1, 2018. He had been sick for a while. Even though Pete could not fish anymore, he liked hearing reports. I sent him a report a couple days before he passed. He replied to my email and that was the last correspondence we shared.<br />
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Pete was known as the master of the Beadhead Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle. It seemed like he could catch fish on command with that wet fly. About ten years ago, Pete gave me a Dun Variant to try. I had seen Variant-style dry flies in books, but had never fished one myself. That particular spring, Pete did well with a Dun Variant on our local river. I fished it a few times. I don't recall if I caught anything with it, but I remember seeing him catch several trout with his.<br />
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In the years since then, I have caught a fair number of trout on a Dun Variant, usually during Isonychia hatches. Last summer, I had some luck with a Cream Variant during hatches of Yellow Drakes. On most days this summer, a Variant was my go-to dry fly. When a trout decides he wants one, often times the take is a violent one. There is nothing like twitching and skating a huge variant over fishy looking water, only to have a rainbow, brown, or brook trout dart top from the bottom of the river and <i>smash</i> a dry fly with the ferocity of a fish who thinks his last meal is about to escape.<br />
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In early June, I caught a bunch of trout on a Grey Fox Variant. From mid June to early July, I caught a bunch of trout on a Cream Variant. From July through most of August, I caught a bunch of trout on a Dun Variant. Many of these catches weren't during hatches. Prospecting with a Variant was just as productive as fishing one during a hatch. I had one rainbow grab my Grey Fox Variant so hard, he pulled all the slack line from my hand and set the hook without me so much as raising the rod tip! Without a doubt, Variants were my most productive trout fly this season, an honor typically reserved for the Usual (which also did well, <i>as usual</i>).<br />
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I told Pete about the aforementioned rainbow in our final email exchange. Though it has been at least two years since I last shared a pool with Pete, I felt like I was fishing with him in spirit this summer. Pete was exactly the guy you want next to you when a trout smashed a Variant, twitching and skating on the surface of the water.<br />
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<br />Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-37778416951036137082018-07-02T10:09:00.000-04:002018-07-02T10:11:46.365-04:00Atomic Dog v2: Articulated Tube Fly - Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first victim of the full Atomic Dog came from a river stuffed with herring.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2018/06/atomic-dog-v2-articulated-tube-fly-part.html">In my last post, I provided the recipe for the front half of the revised Atomic Dog</a>. As I previously mentioned, the idea of an articulated tube fly had eluded me for years. One morning in March, I realized I had been thinking of the design all wrong. All along, I was trying to figure out how to articulate the tubes themselves, which never seemed to produce results that made any sense. Then it hit me...articulate the tube fly hook, not the tube.<br />
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The Atomic Dog was an ideal candidate for an articulated rear section. It didn't take long think of a suitable design. All I needed to do was to tie an articulated, Lefty's Deceiver-style pattern in back, then merge it with the front of the tube fly. The rear section would add length, volume, and would significantly increase the action of the fly. Because it can detach from the tube fly, the articulated section would behave just like a single tube fly hook, except with two hooks. Here is the rear section, followed by the recipe:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Articulated rear section </td></tr>
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<b><u>Atomic Dog (articulation):</u></b><br />
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Rear Hook: Egret tube fly hook (sz. 2)</div>
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Tail: White saddle hackles, tied Deceiver style </div>
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Collar: EP Ultra Brush 5" - snow white</div>
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Wing: White bucktail (or other stiff hair)</div>
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Head: White</div>
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Front Hook: Owner Aki (sz. 2/0)</div>
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Articulation: 40lb. Maxima with a short length of plastic tubing </div>
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Thread: White, covering the hook shank and monofilament, and covered in UV cured resin </div>
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So the entire dressing is in one place, I will repeat the recipe for the tube fly section here....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atomic Dog, front (tube fly) section</td></tr>
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<b><u>Atomic Dog</u></b><br />
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Tube: Plastic 1.8 mm </div>
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Junction Tube: Largest inner diameter PVC tubing (old HMH tubing is perfect)</div>
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Tail: Fluoro fiber-fluorescent pink, tied on top of the junction tube</div>
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Butt: Ice Dub-pearl</div>
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Wing 1: White marble fox and pearl Flashabou, tied Temple Dog style; followed by 2-3 turns of EP Ultra Brush 5"-snow white</div>
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Wing 2: White marble fox and pearl Angel Hair, tied Temple Dog style; followed by 2-3 turns of EP Ultra Brush 5"-snow white</div>
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Wing 3: Light Blue (or other color) cashmere goat over pearl mini Lateral Scale (as long as possible); followed by 2-3 turns of EP Ultra Brush 5"-snow white</div>
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Collar: Silver pheasant dyed light blue (or color to match Wing 3)</div>
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Eyes: Jungle cock or substitue </div>
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Head: White or cone (optional)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-XRgK2eb55n8IQlZeq2JCaRBj47uUxsnSPy9q01u9EtiaHY0b_btHYzqIeSRlky7swdr9vND9EqzcCxIuzY0OM19zVgk9QFMm9_9DlVmIuRcUFn2TxLibH_q3JwxLLYiJMkFAprhHCo/s1600/Herring+tube+fly+articulated3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-XRgK2eb55n8IQlZeq2JCaRBj47uUxsnSPy9q01u9EtiaHY0b_btHYzqIeSRlky7swdr9vND9EqzcCxIuzY0OM19zVgk9QFMm9_9DlVmIuRcUFn2TxLibH_q3JwxLLYiJMkFAprhHCo/s320/Herring+tube+fly+articulated3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full Atomic dog, with articulated section joined to tube fly</td></tr>
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Some notes on construction and use: </div>
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-The white bucktail topping should extend as far back at the fibers from the EP brush collar. The stiff bucktail fibers help to prop up the wing of the tube fly, preventing it from fouling. Some fouling is inevitable, however, I tested this fly all spring and had minimal problems with fouling (especially after using the length of tubing between hooks). </div>
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-So far, the 40lb. mono has been strong enough to withstand fish pulling on it. That said, it should be checked now and then to make sure it hasn't been compromised. If I remember correctly, most of the fish I caught were hooked with the front hook. </div>
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-Because the rear section takes the brunt of the abuse, I tied two rear sections for every front section. So far, all of the sections have held up pretty well. The front sections definitely show less wear and tear, though. Since the fronts are the labor-intensive part, it's nice to only tie half as many. </div>
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When I had this idea, the first person to whom I sent a picture was my friend John. At the time, he was tying some Sunray Shadows for Atlantic salmon fishing. He liked the concept and tied some thin, black saddle hackles onto a hook and made and extra long, super mobile Sunray Shadow. I'll check back in with John later this season to see if his articulated Sunray Shadow worked. I will definitely try some for stripers next spring. It might make a good eel pattern. </div>
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I hope you enjoyed a new look at tube fly design. It definitely opens up some possibilities for those willing to take to experiment. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to fish more flies like this in the future. I have some ideas for a smaller, articulated tube fly for reluctant broodstock Atlantic salmon, so stay tuned...</div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-59374659885949214262018-06-25T11:07:00.000-04:002018-07-04T19:17:41.737-04:00Atomic Dog v2: Articulated Tube Fly - Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharuLzjCQAEhN-GB6FAevrXt0tvYnac3ppWKBIq8jLMqNwk0pWSNo3s__Fk2bkOsBLC3Z2VUiOyW4zf44PehfoED3rvnG0Rn4UmB27eOtsYKLW8s0VFSyDWa-uj4uOSmwBbFViTv1ZPiI/s1600/Smallie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharuLzjCQAEhN-GB6FAevrXt0tvYnac3ppWKBIq8jLMqNwk0pWSNo3s__Fk2bkOsBLC3Z2VUiOyW4zf44PehfoED3rvnG0Rn4UmB27eOtsYKLW8s0VFSyDWa-uj4uOSmwBbFViTv1ZPiI/s320/Smallie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Atomic Dog color scheme was taken from a well worn Beast Fly, tied by <a href="http://flyfishingcts.blogspot.com/">R.M. Lytle</a>.<br />
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Over the past few seasons, I've had a lot of success with a Temple Dog/Samurai tube fly variation I call the "<a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2014/05/samurai-dog.html">Samurai Dog</a>". It has caught striped bass, resident trout, sea run brown trout, smallmouth bass, broodstock Atlantic salmon, and a few other fish for me. My friend John fishes the fly more than I do and he has caught all sorts of good stuff with it, including steelhead and some very large trout. Here are some variations I like to use:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrd3kAo_QbBwfMQ755j7sc98UAzD09vgwJ1ecuchlMllE77t7JUscUZWzgbR8XuqN-WNpRSRgeU_nmvjVoDr1NHfBKm6HMaHXlzsSNczVKK5iBx5pr24Kec8MF5TdHTf-Nx1rKx5MnZE/s1600/Striper+Dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrd3kAo_QbBwfMQ755j7sc98UAzD09vgwJ1ecuchlMllE77t7JUscUZWzgbR8XuqN-WNpRSRgeU_nmvjVoDr1NHfBKm6HMaHXlzsSNczVKK5iBx5pr24Kec8MF5TdHTf-Nx1rKx5MnZE/s320/Striper+Dogs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original is almost all white, but the white/chart works well, of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF_H1_2KZRzMmjO-sy-Fr7BadibdUwB_XZR9ecbx1w2gv6nBifVtn4me8srcq8uonWcdx0n7stgnVOhK0M_Kb7BdDJTBVHz089Qg7DvuDDyrQz7W3g4WIWO3qfdgksP1C81D-Z8tJyBk/s1600/Naugy+RB+12%253A2%253A16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF_H1_2KZRzMmjO-sy-Fr7BadibdUwB_XZR9ecbx1w2gv6nBifVtn4me8srcq8uonWcdx0n7stgnVOhK0M_Kb7BdDJTBVHz089Qg7DvuDDyrQz7W3g4WIWO3qfdgksP1C81D-Z8tJyBk/s320/Naugy+RB+12%253A2%253A16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An all orange Samurai Dog is my #1 Naugatuck salmon fly for very dirty water. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-McFNA6NeVN89HbXoATdKmrzpD416pbRTixUdPNu0cMBmT9rzYdlctAPc3RtaXydUeD8otiboQ58rk4kjgA_wW15BssrgRvDa6GnPYKmxAfDU1xlS0fXlZUMCm8-O2NPzvwy-NcLi9c/s1600/Orange+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-McFNA6NeVN89HbXoATdKmrzpD416pbRTixUdPNu0cMBmT9rzYdlctAPc3RtaXydUeD8otiboQ58rk4kjgA_wW15BssrgRvDa6GnPYKmxAfDU1xlS0fXlZUMCm8-O2NPzvwy-NcLi9c/s320/Orange+Dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's one tied Russian Bullet style (3 cones in the body)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS41sHuI7UmRp1KWu-sge_xyl24EbkMlbTmL7tLd1-yyMNR4U5-tyvo35SwuS367MNhWnBlS9fukG1TVvjN5CFeh6eojs1TBMq5HjlvfM6eCCb3LBltJqTP2-J2KJaXVR-TXn_IgkoCg/s1600/Surgeon+General.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS41sHuI7UmRp1KWu-sge_xyl24EbkMlbTmL7tLd1-yyMNR4U5-tyvo35SwuS367MNhWnBlS9fukG1TVvjN5CFeh6eojs1TBMq5HjlvfM6eCCb3LBltJqTP2-J2KJaXVR-TXn_IgkoCg/s320/Surgeon+General.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Russian Bullet hybrid I call the "Surgeon General," which is <br />
based on a fly called the "Back Doctor Special". (shout out to Pär in Sweden!)</td></tr>
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They have all worked great, particularly the original white Samurai Dog, as well as the orange. I use the white in the spring and the orange in the fall. I use the black in both seasons and the white/chartreuse when stripers are around.<br />
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As great of a fly as the Samurai Dog has been, my only gripe is its lack of length. When herring are on the menu in spring, I felt like the fly was too small. I tied a fly I called the "<a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2015/03/atomic-dog.html">Atomic Dog (now retired)</a>" but, as good as it looked to me, it didn't perform well. I swapped materials and got a little more length and volume out of it. It caught fish, but I wanted an even bigger fly. </div>
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I had been trying to figure out how to articulate a tube fly for a while. I had all sorts of complicated, impractical ideas. Finally, the solution hit me. I needed to tie the larger Samurai Dog, but with one key modification, then tie a fly on an articulated pair of hooks. It's a lengthy process, so I will explain the first part now and save the back end of the fly for the next post. The original fly works fine on its own with just a single hook. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_JGYWcVrJwhaxWndT5Jcidm7yOfNJEpWokvRLhjBwd4YjFtWqgMcTAVOGwSNVGvMsGIn3sr8HCO9qL8KVNny9KbWtWHwe0WlkmOTgSDOu28c4Uuxxu_jH6qLjWC7mPtCQH81lwOVmCQ/s1600/Striper+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_JGYWcVrJwhaxWndT5Jcidm7yOfNJEpWokvRLhjBwd4YjFtWqgMcTAVOGwSNVGvMsGIn3sr8HCO9qL8KVNny9KbWtWHwe0WlkmOTgSDOu28c4Uuxxu_jH6qLjWC7mPtCQH81lwOVmCQ/s320/Striper+Dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front section of the new Atomic Dog, which can be fished as-is</td></tr>
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<b><u>Atomic Dog</u></b><br />
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Tube: Plastic 1.8mm </div>
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Junction Tube: Largest inner diameter PVC tubing (old HMH tubing is perfect)</div>
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Tail: Fluoro fiber-fluorescent pink, tied on top of the junction tube</div>
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Butt: Ice Dub-pearl</div>
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Wing 1: White marble fox and pearl Flashabou, tied Temple Dog style; followed by 2-3 turns of EP Ultra Brush 5"-snow white</div>
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Wing 2: White marble fox and pearl Angel Hair, tied Temple Dog style; followed by 2-3 turns of EP Ultra Brush 5"-snow white</div>
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Wing 3: Light Blue (or other color) cashmere goat over pearl mini Lateral Scale (as long as possible); followed by 2-3 turns of EP Ultra Brush 5"-snow white</div>
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Collar: Silver pheasant dyed light blue (or color to match Wing 3)</div>
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Eyes: Jungle cock or substitue </div>
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Head: White or cone (optional)</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8fFPjgCqEA&t=6s">You can see Håkan Norling tie the original Temple Dog here</a>. This video is very helpful. If you have never tied a Temple Dog, this video is a "must see". The Striper Dog is essentially a Temple Dog, but with no real body. The EP brush takes the place of the wraps of soft hackle that Norling uses in his fly. Instead of nesting tubes, flexible junction tubing is used to hold the hook. It needs to have a large inner diameter to accept the articulated hooks. When used with a single hook, the hook must be big and stout enough to stay lodged in the junction tube. I use an <a href="https://www.ownerhooks.com/product/aki/">Owner Aki</a>, size 2/0 or 3/0. It is made with very heavy wire and has a big eye. </div>
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In the next installment, I will explain the steps to extending this fly by adding an articulated section. Also, I will explain the benefits of the articulated rear section. <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2018/07/atomic-dog-v2-articulated-tube-fly-part.html">Click HERE to read Part II</a>.</div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-12719075864050589012018-05-28T00:00:00.000-04:002018-05-28T00:00:03.880-04:00A Tale of Three Trips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUfr0RkyhQBscBtb15pgMNVz3Dcxz6sfyfM1snwpbFWnsT6T1HokWVW1jrO390fEoQGcQ_LaJPwURfZeIkohrcNBF6VO-BgGuPRhrjDHLJWTct3oYJs_SEwwfaC8lCLp0vN2w_54x5PY/s1600/M+at+Hammo+2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUfr0RkyhQBscBtb15pgMNVz3Dcxz6sfyfM1snwpbFWnsT6T1HokWVW1jrO390fEoQGcQ_LaJPwURfZeIkohrcNBF6VO-BgGuPRhrjDHLJWTct3oYJs_SEwwfaC8lCLp0vN2w_54x5PY/s320/M+at+Hammo+2018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The binoculars are for "seeing trout." </td></tr>
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<b><u>Trip #1</u></b><br />
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Last season, my son and I had a successful trip to the Hammonasset River, targeting trout rising to Quill Gordons. The little guy caught his first trout, a brookie, as well as a rainbow trout. He was bummed that we lost a brown trout and were unable to check it off his list. </div>
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This season, I vowed that he would get his brown trout. The water was much higher this year, so the little guy had to fish from the bank. Another big difference from last year was that the trout would not rise this time. I suspect the high, cold water had something to do with it. No worries, we had nymphs and wet flies that did the trick. He lost the first fish hooked, an acrobatic rainbow, but I assured him there were more opportunities. A few minutes later, he had his first brown trout in the net and checked off his list! </div>
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He was at least as proud of himself as I was of him. He asked what the next kind of trout he will catch next. Short of flying him out west to chase cutthroats, the only thing I could come up with was tiger trout. I warned him that they are few and far between, but it was no use. A new quest has emerged. Time to distract him with sunfish! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNFxnKRx18Qc1ZWM34gAGIBAK_QztFzOyvoa7Cx-t-DCB2jvdkEHVMzV6EQRayz0nqYBkY461qYRGwVF0wcvEP4n9T02tVOQvSiJNnFEkytZ6FdSIybf4phOhRHVhCNEPYlffaFbOogY/s1600/M+%2540+Hammo+2018+%2528first+brown+trout%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNFxnKRx18Qc1ZWM34gAGIBAK_QztFzOyvoa7Cx-t-DCB2jvdkEHVMzV6EQRayz0nqYBkY461qYRGwVF0wcvEP4n9T02tVOQvSiJNnFEkytZ6FdSIybf4phOhRHVhCNEPYlffaFbOogY/s320/M+%2540+Hammo+2018+%2528first+brown+trout%2529.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elusive brown trout</td></tr>
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<b><u>Trip #2</u></b></div>
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It had been far too long since the last time I fished with my friend <span id="goog_974723425"></span>Mark (F<a href="http://fishingsmallstreams.blogspot.com/">ishing Small Streams</a>). Mark and I used to fish the Hendrickson hatch on the Farmington at least once a season, but I have been distracted by migratory fish the past two springs. I knew it was time to revisit our old haunts before Mark moves. </div>
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Before the hatch started, I caught my first trout of the season on a #2 Grey Ghost. I was using a 6 wt. switch rod, so it wasn't much of a battle. I soon caught another, which didn't put much of a bend in the rod. Then I lost a third, which <i>did</i> put a bend in the 11' Sage Z-Axis. It put a big bend in the rod before it thrashed on the surface, threw the fly, and swam back to the depths. Oh well, there was more action to come...</div>
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The hatch materialized, but the fish weren't too keen to rise. I picked off one on a wet fly after changing pools. I didn't see many rises. The rises I saw were isolated. I went back to the streamer while we waited for a potential spinner fall. </div>
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I wasn't too optimistic about a good spinner fall considering how windy it was. But, low and behold, we saw a ton of spinners over the water. The popular pool we chose was too crowded for my comfort, so I moved to the next pool upstream. It's a small pool, and two anglers were already in it, but I was able to sneak in at the tail. </div>
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It wound up being a good choice. It was quite a spinner fall...the most prolonged spinner fall I've fished in quite a long time. The trout were plentiful but small. I even caught some while fishing from the bank. Finally, I hooked a better fish, but lost him as he raced towards the tail of the pool. No worries, the action was far from over. </div>
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There was a decent trout rising in the very fast water at the extreme edge of the tail, just above the rapids. I drifted a spinner over it a few times before it ate. I got the fish close to me but, once it saw me, it bolted. I had been catching all small fish and hauling them in, so my feisty fish senses were a little dull when I hooked this one. This trout was absolutely not going to give up easily and it escaped into the fast water below. It was time to put on my running shoes. I kept tight on the trout for a good distance downstream. I thought I could land it in one of the pockets, but no dice. The fish didn't stop running until it crossed into the next pool downstream. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG9hobgbmif18MMso7nxlO7lgVvlr4lAvQHFxrOJhY_xOuRb3NRiSwBrjp_Xen_i8cw6WqmcInoEpsYyef1bjr7E2JSeQKJEPnvLppmZdXInNVbqDwa47jrMRl5yS4G5UOwYvYDrwdAI/s1600/Woodshop+to+Greenwoods+trout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG9hobgbmif18MMso7nxlO7lgVvlr4lAvQHFxrOJhY_xOuRb3NRiSwBrjp_Xen_i8cw6WqmcInoEpsYyef1bjr7E2JSeQKJEPnvLppmZdXInNVbqDwa47jrMRl5yS4G5UOwYvYDrwdAI/s320/Woodshop+to+Greenwoods+trout.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not particularly large, but full of piss and vinegar! </td></tr>
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I was able to land the fiery fish in the soft water of the new pool. It was well hooked and thrashed wildly while I tried to remove my spinner from its mouth. I thought the fight was over, but this trout didn't get the memo. It wasn't a particularly large trout, maybe 17"-18" at best, but fought like a demon. I was happy I didn't break my ankle. Whatever I hooked next probably wouldn't have been that exciting, so I decided to call it a night! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVvDftpgSC3X77wIyf8Ypm10HzQ2jV87ft0bMAn_fzaZkHTxzkcygXrD61qxr1_bDeK397wtTArj5dChqEBsi6ZAbzy999avKk39lzUcbv_jZu6idllQRHhZu1Q1X7jCqQfn95ywLX_Q/s1600/Shad+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVvDftpgSC3X77wIyf8Ypm10HzQ2jV87ft0bMAn_fzaZkHTxzkcygXrD61qxr1_bDeK397wtTArj5dChqEBsi6ZAbzy999avKk39lzUcbv_jZu6idllQRHhZu1Q1X7jCqQfn95ywLX_Q/s320/Shad+2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shad fight tough, but are a delicate fish. Whenever possible, I now release shad without touching them. </td></tr>
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<b><u>Trip #3</u></b><div>
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Data! Data doesn't lie. I knew I could have a good day of shad fishing if the water fell below a certain level on the gauge after Mother's Day. I've been trying to fish closer to home more often and only wanted to make one trip this year, as long as it was a good enough trip. It wasn't the most spectacular day of American shad fishing I've ever had, but it was good enough to scratch the itch for the season. There were some fairly large fish in the mix too, so that was a bonus. Actually, I hooked a few real tough ones. </div>
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It pays to keep track of data throughout a few seasons. It can make trips successful when time is limited, as it has been for me the past year or so. I had no specific local intel on this spot, but I've fished it enough to know when it should produce. It produced as expected. It was fun. I'll go back next year, after Mother's Day, when the water is below a certain level...</div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-30113026184095230732018-05-08T10:35:00.000-04:002018-06-22T21:16:30.231-04:00Don't Lose It, Reuse It - Part II (Shaving Brush Restorations) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzIV4ZbPkLsCdW7w0X-ne2PfexR3Skg7-oyMIYEHT1wopG1cgD0TlREOZgz4tQ7WB4Nzba4Lufgey2mC46nSiJ11iIYvRBgjlBSoFEMbwWNB47_J_9Me8dnBb5amgJ-MZHgC4iKfxhyphenhyphenI/s1600/24mm+Elite+MW+and+HMW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzIV4ZbPkLsCdW7w0X-ne2PfexR3Skg7-oyMIYEHT1wopG1cgD0TlREOZgz4tQ7WB4Nzba4Lufgey2mC46nSiJ11iIYvRBgjlBSoFEMbwWNB47_J_9Me8dnBb5amgJ-MZHgC4iKfxhyphenhyphenI/s320/24mm+Elite+MW+and+HMW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Premium quality badger knots from <a href="http://eliterazor.com/">Elite Razor</a></td></tr>
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After salvaging my old badger knot for flies and reknotting its handle, I realized I had enjoyed the process. The flies weren't much different from others I had tied before, but the brush restoration was new to me. It was interesting, fun, and it was a new skill to learn. Plus, I needed a little break from fly tying at that point. This project started when winter returned in late February, so I didn't miss much fishing.<br />
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I went to antique stores and searched eBay for vintage shaving brushes in need of restoration. The first couple were sort of rough, but I caught on quickly and learned what to look for. I have done a lot of grinding and sanding the past couple of months. I would actually love to do more, but I only need so many brushes. I probably don't need as many as I currently own, but I have been enjoying the process and learning about the subtleties of brush making and restoration. Here are some pics of restorations completed this winter and early spring:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbycCumZtoezPJuA2jzEwSq6p1yA1XqWjDkpL_FTrBcxBRXiACXY5s4OFJl9Tb1recvB7ZV9HT5BaeGfcDd3HYIgoFpKgunNgrG6uLBSoabKUdVppo3WPvaigf03atq9TTrzBpuX4bBfI/s1600/Rubberser+200-3+%252824mm+Maggard%2527s+Mixed+70%253A30%2529-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbycCumZtoezPJuA2jzEwSq6p1yA1XqWjDkpL_FTrBcxBRXiACXY5s4OFJl9Tb1recvB7ZV9HT5BaeGfcDd3HYIgoFpKgunNgrG6uLBSoabKUdVppo3WPvaigf03atq9TTrzBpuX4bBfI/s320/Rubberser+200-3+%252824mm+Maggard%2527s+Mixed+70%253A30%2529-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubberset 200-3 w/24mm mixed badger and boar knot<br />
This scrubby, barber-style brush is a keeper...in my top three<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GJrda0WZpvQiQ0OEvZvWwAdW5Eq_4QRudncZFbRSvzD3pl1YZh3nX-y1MMDSieRJHOKvdZCn0FgTyMyLKSjd9PUFxJrC5SXu3klk22v-tN3lC-0Y1wsXBXYQaMXVxLd0ecAUTPe76lE/s1600/Ever-Ready+100+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GJrda0WZpvQiQ0OEvZvWwAdW5Eq_4QRudncZFbRSvzD3pl1YZh3nX-y1MMDSieRJHOKvdZCn0FgTyMyLKSjd9PUFxJrC5SXu3klk22v-tN3lC-0Y1wsXBXYQaMXVxLd0ecAUTPe76lE/s320/Ever-Ready+100+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever-Ready 100 w/22mm two band badger fan knot<br />
Magnets are installed in the handle to hang dry w/o a stand</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPwcZSdcNDZ-XLpq2vRnbL6x_8NyKbLammecNstM9UFOUzM7wuTqXboNAIzk86xXRGx8yzbs5WNYkaSlqit-7axxIXlvYWJ_0wnjoHhKJVu73nTnv5ZLdnP5CymWdpY0KskchZFQhTa4/s1600/Century+16mm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPwcZSdcNDZ-XLpq2vRnbL6x_8NyKbLammecNstM9UFOUzM7wuTqXboNAIzk86xXRGx8yzbs5WNYkaSlqit-7axxIXlvYWJ_0wnjoHhKJVu73nTnv5ZLdnP5CymWdpY0KskchZFQhTa4/s320/Century+16mm3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Century mini-brush w/16mm synthetic knot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5J3iA6TBRA9UvizMnH38cz9EYWN1YHZu7miacL_n52k0rfYTnxMD_UwbvSJybJZ-o6fSWNGLUOf2RMWSvslob8KzChbpwuApSBrzTeQrQ1_lP3UiCfTl-Sm3i3Z7nvk06WYTfkWm7M/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5J3iA6TBRA9UvizMnH38cz9EYWN1YHZu7miacL_n52k0rfYTnxMD_UwbvSJybJZ-o6fSWNGLUOf2RMWSvslob8KzChbpwuApSBrzTeQrQ1_lP3UiCfTl-Sm3i3Z7nvk06WYTfkWm7M/s320/IMG_0234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubberset 153 w/22mm two band badger bulb knot<br />
This one was made for my friend Frank, <br />
who might as well have been shaving with a roadkill brush. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFxP5949ZMNgrAImg5iJ8KXKKAESd9Bx2udKQBcuzwrlzgPWWvILU_2nineIa16HK5cja8xdv8OeFJCaF1HgH-BqlaYkkrWMugaL5csR5YDo7478KnCu_b-ZZ506RgGU6ILNzbSAQHJs/s1600/Ever-Ready+650PB+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFxP5949ZMNgrAImg5iJ8KXKKAESd9Bx2udKQBcuzwrlzgPWWvILU_2nineIa16HK5cja8xdv8OeFJCaF1HgH-BqlaYkkrWMugaL5csR5YDo7478KnCu_b-ZZ506RgGU6ILNzbSAQHJs/s320/Ever-Ready+650PB+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever-Ready 650PB w/22mm Tuxedo synthetic knot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR8qosVhfSEXrlOXGm7SrunyVA1HgweWRle8JgjElz6RiTq_kizkPvFYG70NzSiftEQ5JcWCgjAa9jYzi0VTo2Ydg15omRjaWT8D-XF_VsywJbX0vfVbFqwT8Yk3utIj_qMk2YcvJvzE/s1600/IMG_0218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR8qosVhfSEXrlOXGm7SrunyVA1HgweWRle8JgjElz6RiTq_kizkPvFYG70NzSiftEQ5JcWCgjAa9jYzi0VTo2Ydg15omRjaWT8D-XF_VsywJbX0vfVbFqwT8Yk3utIj_qMk2YcvJvzE/s320/IMG_0218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever-Ready 150 w/26mm Plissoft synthetic knot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJqW5Uxfw1eIUWMtFvv605JAoNAK5JkDxm7TID-5sFJpLJjDJtiLzXMi0IkVmwkIAS0xxwlatTke-FK7ZW3vcQ_4XOa4hVfpXTQsLyrq6IVlErNpkSK0i8gzDxnU40WJkzuSmRrVUHyc/s1600/Made+Rite+303L+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJqW5Uxfw1eIUWMtFvv605JAoNAK5JkDxm7TID-5sFJpLJjDJtiLzXMi0IkVmwkIAS0xxwlatTke-FK7ZW3vcQ_4XOa4hVfpXTQsLyrq6IVlErNpkSK0i8gzDxnU40WJkzuSmRrVUHyc/s320/Made+Rite+303L+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made Rite 303L (ivory) w/22mm Silvertip badger knot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRombtjVEGZkUwP4OSxwUut5TdPYzdwFffTznDDGkQcCzxKyPgYLqzd5GC-IUXJsfKTYzFdT6Y6RVgBY18APPBzVFAUB4Gu3Ay_6J4mE__wtcYtjYDo9AgWVrvtlRB4YIuU8E6CGFbthU/s1600/Made+Rite+303L+black+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRombtjVEGZkUwP4OSxwUut5TdPYzdwFffTznDDGkQcCzxKyPgYLqzd5GC-IUXJsfKTYzFdT6Y6RVgBY18APPBzVFAUB4Gu3Ay_6J4mE__wtcYtjYDo9AgWVrvtlRB4YIuU8E6CGFbthU/s320/Made+Rite+303L+black+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made Rite 303L (black) w/22mm two band badger fan knot<br />
I didn't plan on buying this, but it was a good companion<br />
to the ivory-colored brush above. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vCurjk7WEzTa0lHSIyulk0sOVlQ8bqyQN6C0ZXXARfGChW23UI9X_lqe-QWRCEtjVIJr-YepNj7xVPk8i1e-_S-0bi6L58oRbR8AodvI4tWzC3dHOdbjnhaVL3TqlUudTtOJFqplW54/s1600/AA251CFE-0314-4458-9678-892B1D248D9A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vCurjk7WEzTa0lHSIyulk0sOVlQ8bqyQN6C0ZXXARfGChW23UI9X_lqe-QWRCEtjVIJr-YepNj7xVPk8i1e-_S-0bi6L58oRbR8AodvI4tWzC3dHOdbjnhaVL3TqlUudTtOJFqplW54/s320/AA251CFE-0314-4458-9678-892B1D248D9A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubberset 754 w/20mm Tuxedo synthetic knot<br />
This one fits in a large pill bottle and now lives in my carry-on bag.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2EhvndIef3AYO-akMx_4a90XXddwQu-UFvXlrPYfTIo-mCZDLcihdmye4P1H1xkqn8WdRwOgKWty1mRNLMAcoY-KQyqHVw4HFQGBK3yyepJN_YfjFrxaw-7RF8jZkpdZNpAMlridoM8/s1600/Rubberset+203+%2528w%253AElite+24mm+Manchurian+White+fan%2529+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2EhvndIef3AYO-akMx_4a90XXddwQu-UFvXlrPYfTIo-mCZDLcihdmye4P1H1xkqn8WdRwOgKWty1mRNLMAcoY-KQyqHVw4HFQGBK3yyepJN_YfjFrxaw-7RF8jZkpdZNpAMlridoM8/s320/Rubberset+203+%2528w%253AElite+24mm+Manchurian+White+fan%2529+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubberset 203 w/24mm Manchurian White badger fan knot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSwWwMQ0sZb3gHr49Xyjs-4ZtvznEHHXb9hUA-QPtNuxksgwq1ejU3snHTnxoKluugmzPjvJqfPZWcHwciOjDvMnep03dEtLOmBOsXok7YDEupvq8XYSrPUQBegoe72tcxH-AfHhwJZY/s1600/IMG_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSwWwMQ0sZb3gHr49Xyjs-4ZtvznEHHXb9hUA-QPtNuxksgwq1ejU3snHTnxoKluugmzPjvJqfPZWcHwciOjDvMnep03dEtLOmBOsXok7YDEupvq8XYSrPUQBegoe72tcxH-AfHhwJZY/s320/IMG_0243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erskine 120 w/24mm High Mountain White badger knot<br />
Along with my original restore and the Rubberset 200-3 above,<br />
this one rounds out my top three. Pillowy soft! </td></tr>
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Most of this work was leading up to restoring a coveted Rubberset 400. Sanding these old resin brushes is not too hard. Sanding and polishing aluminum is a lot more work, so I wanted to be sure my technique was sound before putting in 4-5 hours worth of work on this. In the end, it came out pretty good! I might remove the knot I installed and have a super premium knot installed by <a href="https://www.declarationgrooming.com/">Declaration Grooming</a>. Here is a progression of sanding...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original, well used condition w/boar bristles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9T0qghg8Ku3YBq3qrtB1eqoY3SvejoMb8nVfDAeLcw9QxGbBv25fF7XvsyDUFIW5-_dZrDX9pB2Bs4xzaHpQ0w4Tudmh_uVlTdoNUo8WWt_7dsId15bFyI9zlXM2QLwmy6nrTtUn30s/s1600/R400+sanding+collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9T0qghg8Ku3YBq3qrtB1eqoY3SvejoMb8nVfDAeLcw9QxGbBv25fF7XvsyDUFIW5-_dZrDX9pB2Bs4xzaHpQ0w4Tudmh_uVlTdoNUo8WWt_7dsId15bFyI9zlXM2QLwmy6nrTtUn30s/s320/R400+sanding+collage1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before sanding - 400 grit wet sanding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtka9yHIGDwcWDHPCVKnVCnBj6ev2qnQTOaqjPSF5PCA6RGICH9WTfdMze7IN2UCMijMuSNTSPOhx_ObPHrbF_fG26IRBgkt2VnkeHqoTQBYDCUD4aklGY3lu0fLgErW4fJ9onbRwO2kw/s1600/R400+sanding+collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtka9yHIGDwcWDHPCVKnVCnBj6ev2qnQTOaqjPSF5PCA6RGICH9WTfdMze7IN2UCMijMuSNTSPOhx_ObPHrbF_fG26IRBgkt2VnkeHqoTQBYDCUD4aklGY3lu0fLgErW4fJ9onbRwO2kw/s320/R400+sanding+collage3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">600 - 1500 grit wet sanding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2000-3000 grit wet sanding and first polishing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvXjEVgv-3RjgcWS1WlBxP3AMBkNyZ-oT6SGUinDqX6u-WgJdSsm-FtAt3j95Y_L36DMmkRIAHrXJapXsxMCZH454kABi9inG40HVl8P9nUNdoBylT5B-uY_8-KldnlkS01lcWbvi7cM/s1600/Rubberset+400+%252824mm+Declaration+B5%2529+Blue2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvXjEVgv-3RjgcWS1WlBxP3AMBkNyZ-oT6SGUinDqX6u-WgJdSsm-FtAt3j95Y_L36DMmkRIAHrXJapXsxMCZH454kABi9inG40HVl8P9nUNdoBylT5B-uY_8-KldnlkS01lcWbvi7cM/s320/Rubberset+400+%252824mm+Declaration+B5%2529+Blue2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 hours later...with a mirror finish and a 24mm B5 knot from Declaration Grooming</td></tr>
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Like flies, I have way more brushes than I need, but I like variety. Want one? Let me know...I'm fishing again now that spring has sprung, but would gladly take a break for an excuse to work on some old brushes. Based on a recent comment from my wife, I won't be restoring any more for myself anytime soon! Thanks for indulging this slight departure. More fishing content coming soon...</div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-7610683787100310742018-05-03T12:25:00.000-04:002018-05-03T12:25:34.207-04:00Don't Lose It, Reuse It - Part I<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR-Fug1LVSrw0xnnsX7Twg2RYm-bYZT3Lu4bK3zT0QdnpJdZ-O2zHSJmL6Y5NX8Te58dC2vR1sM88WaayfDpwDNToTSPm4dPuitMGv2Go50qW4HVyerBYRR0p5DyCTjmniC6-GKtoSJ4/s1600/Shaving+Brush+flies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR-Fug1LVSrw0xnnsX7Twg2RYm-bYZT3Lu4bK3zT0QdnpJdZ-O2zHSJmL6Y5NX8Te58dC2vR1sM88WaayfDpwDNToTSPm4dPuitMGv2Go50qW4HVyerBYRR0p5DyCTjmniC6-GKtoSJ4/s320/Shaving+Brush+flies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old badger hair knot, repurposed </td></tr>
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"Don't lose it, reuse it!" It's a rally cry of Rocky, the mixed breed, recycling truck-driving pup from the Nickelodeon cartoon, "Paw Patrol." I know this because I have a young child who enjoys the show and the toys. As mind numbing as the show can be for adults, there are some pretty solid messages for both young and old viewers. Lately, I've tried to be more conscious about throwing away less and reusing and repurposing items more.<br />
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Fast forward to the day my trusty Vulfix 2234 Super Badger shaving brush bit the dust. I had used this brush for the past fifteen years, at least. I knew I was long overdue for a new brush, but the badger hair knot could easily be used for tying flies. </div>
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I tied a handful of flies, with which I will catch trout this season. I picked some "sure winners," like a Rusty Spinner, an Ausable Bomber, and a Cahill-colored Wulff, along with a bucktail-type streamer. I saved the knot. Maybe I'll tie some salmon flies with it, too. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQl4pw35fCzLmMuIvYRCRVFlcjw5T-GBI3Q8wx_f3KkmhuxL329ERh5yi-qNdsA-vEFhYADLs1OxJy0dnyAwunBEXE4FEsvIjYG5xYGcVBT_SKcNFGnmKNxYzwM_H0Y0FNUI0vkzgiw0/s1600/Vulfix+2234+Reknot+w%253ATGN+22mm+Finest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQl4pw35fCzLmMuIvYRCRVFlcjw5T-GBI3Q8wx_f3KkmhuxL329ERh5yi-qNdsA-vEFhYADLs1OxJy0dnyAwunBEXE4FEsvIjYG5xYGcVBT_SKcNFGnmKNxYzwM_H0Y0FNUI0vkzgiw0/s320/Vulfix+2234+Reknot+w%253ATGN+22mm+Finest1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not perfectly round, but it will do</td></tr>
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The brush handle seemed like it could be salvaged. I ordered an inexpensive replacement Vulfix while I studied brush reknotting. After lots of reading, I decided to enlarge the socket to accept a larger knot than the original. I ground the hole with a Dremel tool and sanded it smooth. I purchased a new knot from <a href="http://thegoldennib.com/">The Golden Nib</a>. I realized I had drilled the hole a little too deep, so I epoxied a couple nickels in the socket to help raise the knot. The nickels actually added a nice weight to the old handle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthORAwfNaUi1GpV5Eifjk6vAiWrngB_18vRaIh171NaX7ci8pta0Ytvk1ea-GUhtNmCL34JKoDkcz18o5rP1024KLlhXjPiBrDnd_EAWfxQbfp4KHXgh4MfoO17KCxEN3oMm7PFOyVMU/s1600/Vulfix+2234+Reknot+w%253ATGN+22mm+Finest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthORAwfNaUi1GpV5Eifjk6vAiWrngB_18vRaIh171NaX7ci8pta0Ytvk1ea-GUhtNmCL34JKoDkcz18o5rP1024KLlhXjPiBrDnd_EAWfxQbfp4KHXgh4MfoO17KCxEN3oMm7PFOyVMU/s320/Vulfix+2234+Reknot+w%253ATGN+22mm+Finest2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knot loft set with nickels </td></tr>
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As soon as the new badger hair knot arrived, I epoxied it into the handle. I was shaving with my revamped brush the following evening. Not only was I happy that I didn't throw the handle away, but I was shocked at how much better the recycled brush worked than its predecessor. It was like night and day. I was disappointed that I hadn't thought to get a new brush years ago. With use, over a matter of weeks, the new brush knot broke in nicely and it makes a terrific lather. I actually enjoyed the project so much, I decided to attempt further restorations with vintage brushes. Fly tying actually went on hold while I got my bearings. More on that next week...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "recycled" brush, now with a 222 mm Finest bulb knot from the Golden Nib</td></tr>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-53542078750672240712018-04-24T09:49:00.001-04:002018-04-24T09:49:54.877-04:00Portable Kit for Tying Salmon Flies "In-Hand"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting back into the swing of things </td></tr>
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As a professional musician, a lot of time is spent waiting around. We wait before and after sound checks. We wait during travel. We wait for our perpetually tardy colleagues to show up for rehearsal. I figured there had to be a better way to kill time. With a little inspiration from Adrian Cortes, who seems to tie flies in the most unlikely places, I decided to make a portable kit for tying salmon flies "in-hand." <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old fly box, repurposed</td></tr>
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I needed to use minimal tools and materials. The first step was portioning out materials that can be used in many different patterns. I gutted an old fly box, lined half of it with cork, and filled it with thread, tinsels, dubbing, floss, wax, etc. I can stick hooks into the cork and keep a pair of scissors, hackle pliers, tweezers, and a bodkin inside and still manage to close the box. If I know the pattern I want to tie, I pre-portion the materials, put them inside a small baggie, and store them in the fly box. This is truly portable.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to kill...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhjAR91mOsaOddY86QZr6voJduZwuhejQXH5N36LPgF1Q3s6cLWEsb3FrsGvU0LKvIYf1RPRCxd3M49nKX31j9WHoNti-UTa-QrLjAFmkAj475kmrjHXMDM7xkzqL6fpxiN0Zlj7WAWM/s1600/P1060313+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhjAR91mOsaOddY86QZr6voJduZwuhejQXH5N36LPgF1Q3s6cLWEsb3FrsGvU0LKvIYf1RPRCxd3M49nKX31j9WHoNti-UTa-QrLjAFmkAj475kmrjHXMDM7xkzqL6fpxiN0Zlj7WAWM/s320/P1060313+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main kit</td></tr>
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To store more materials, I repurposed a case for a portable DVD player. The DVD player is long gone, but the case is still useful. In it, I keep hackle, more hooks, feathers of all sorts, etc. The fly box fits inside this case, so everything is right where I need it. I keep the case in the back of my car, just in case I find myself waiting.<br /><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8gAJ9Y4b4VMjRcIqoJF4KmWuTqUQdXhwFgM7QGxXnTcmZFsDYmSaXm_y8lvkcTcs-lYideOCktX7Sshw-W3Twz8lxn7VzExQIyme_P7OD2W5LQwpAy3ddDtp47sAA3SFQY-LtFl4yBg/s1600/P1060315+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8gAJ9Y4b4VMjRcIqoJF4KmWuTqUQdXhwFgM7QGxXnTcmZFsDYmSaXm_y8lvkcTcs-lYideOCktX7Sshw-W3Twz8lxn7VzExQIyme_P7OD2W5LQwpAy3ddDtp47sAA3SFQY-LtFl4yBg/s320/P1060315+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portable lighting</td></tr>
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Since most of my work happens at night, one issue that has arisen is a lack of light. I bought a small USB power bank from Marshall's and a couple of small USB lamps from Ikea. They don't produce a ton of light, but they're not too back as long as the fly is held directly beneath them. The power bank and lamps fit in the DVD player case. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3UrmZYbcOZd_KdoUnzJ-vNayHDquG11Gs_jh98RhgxJ0v3grQjB_CGQ86U8Zgfn3RvBi6BIe4kFAlglh_xaGpIC-c3qpFtBzf5A3fOkqKjds1DIobfCBcaT9ArI1AU7adkdWmIKV0HE/s1600/P1060327+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3UrmZYbcOZd_KdoUnzJ-vNayHDquG11Gs_jh98RhgxJ0v3grQjB_CGQ86U8Zgfn3RvBi6BIe4kFAlglh_xaGpIC-c3qpFtBzf5A3fOkqKjds1DIobfCBcaT9ArI1AU7adkdWmIKV0HE/s320/P1060327+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small and very portable</td></tr>
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Viola...a better way to wait around. I'd rather fish in those waiting times, but I'm not usually near bodies of water. Tying can be done virtually anywhere...in the car, backstage, or at the train station. I can even stash the kit in my cymbal bag. I wish I had thought to do this sooner! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzYGchc2I5xEZk6FLUMzaxxHqF4jyZsEzVhODzhXjZPvgQg5PZuAINF-15V6t2lP27mKEATEIxPg-PZzYNi90TMVzBZejlzZtmc4rHRSWNSYXn__ilc_2SQkWHjsZhlgv53Og9RJov8c/s1600/P1060301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzYGchc2I5xEZk6FLUMzaxxHqF4jyZsEzVhODzhXjZPvgQg5PZuAINF-15V6t2lP27mKEATEIxPg-PZzYNi90TMVzBZejlzZtmc4rHRSWNSYXn__ilc_2SQkWHjsZhlgv53Og9RJov8c/s320/P1060301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Silk and Rosy Dawn...ready to fish!</td></tr>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-71170629078633810772018-04-12T23:02:00.000-04:002018-04-12T23:02:18.618-04:00Good Riddance, Winter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnAWRatMLM8Xu-SmWW1S1qqYIcFDDrdQNJf7UGXLYaz20WKQcy0ETuwzR_NpVQt1z3Eb1x2ZE4dHdC2S11MKH4GzNHguVm1jTbr9FlA9OIsj0C8IXvItLKydl1SKRMkrwa9PxzL4QLpQ/s1600/First+Fish+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnAWRatMLM8Xu-SmWW1S1qqYIcFDDrdQNJf7UGXLYaz20WKQcy0ETuwzR_NpVQt1z3Eb1x2ZE4dHdC2S11MKH4GzNHguVm1jTbr9FlA9OIsj0C8IXvItLKydl1SKRMkrwa9PxzL4QLpQ/s320/First+Fish+2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First fish of 2018</td></tr>
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Whew! Spring is <i>finally</i> here! Prior to February, I hadn't wet a line since Christmas Eve. A brief, but intense, February warmup made us think that spring would be very early this year. I was able to take advantage of ice out by hitting a local carp pond. It took a little while for the water to warm up enough for the carp to feed, but I waited patiently. It was a good day, bringing three common carp to the net. I didn't move any grass carp, a fish that has been taunting me since last summer, but that's a different story...<div>
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Shortly thereafter, winter returned with a vengeance. March was pretty much awash in snow. I think it has snowed three times in April so far. Unbelievable! But, it melted quick and it was time to start the hunt for spring migrators. Schoolies were on the menu on my first trip, which was fun. Unfortunately, the keeper-sized holdovers moved out a few days before I was able to get to the river, but the migratory fish will be here soon enough. The river is COLD. That might be slowing things down a bit. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFoeuWHCSzIeVWDjGDy7mRF7EwdUsg-tZXRfWUPD9802ihLSj7LtgYCvVl_CmU6_RN7o8kdzsgAPz46V79EmhzxAP-K1-N4GITLSDmHoKtYDZiEkmOeMVyUNWk8E58ck9pn5HTivAoOY/s1600/CT+Schoolie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFoeuWHCSzIeVWDjGDy7mRF7EwdUsg-tZXRfWUPD9802ihLSj7LtgYCvVl_CmU6_RN7o8kdzsgAPz46V79EmhzxAP-K1-N4GITLSDmHoKtYDZiEkmOeMVyUNWk8E58ck9pn5HTivAoOY/s320/CT+Schoolie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First striper of the year</td></tr>
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I went out today for a couple hours. The river was lower, clearer, and slightly warmer. Today, April 12, the Connecticut River was 41º, which is quite cold for April 12. The schoolies had vanished, but had been replaced with good sized smallmouth bass. It was the "wrong" species but, at that size, I am not complaining. <div>
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I'm sure it will only get better from here. I haven't felt like writing much, but I do have a few posts planned when I get a moment. I'm experimenting with a new tube fly that I'll test out and, if it works out, will post here. Anyhow, enjoy your spring fishing. I know I will! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First smallie of the year </td></tr>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-89659119521475187612018-01-03T12:01:00.001-05:002018-01-03T12:02:52.410-05:00News & Events - Winter 2018<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nf_mv4YW_fvmjG7PuJsNEtp6UGFMIW2GqJfW2vjIGYbcDkmQ-iaDLKo2fKDSxwirhkF1Hm2qutwJwQO70Piri03FCjjBYeMP5njTS-4qtDkneErzJA-0gGO3jouH5MNYN8s3JnjTMT0/s1600/IMG_3219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nf_mv4YW_fvmjG7PuJsNEtp6UGFMIW2GqJfW2vjIGYbcDkmQ-iaDLKo2fKDSxwirhkF1Hm2qutwJwQO70Piri03FCjjBYeMP5njTS-4qtDkneErzJA-0gGO3jouH5MNYN8s3JnjTMT0/s320/IMG_3219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice December salmon, caught by angler Anthony Lombardo</td></tr>
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<br /> The recent Arctic blast put an abrupt end to salmon fishing in Connecticut. It had been productive right up until the changeover. The last salmon I hooked was on Christmas Eve. By Christmas day, it was unbearably cold and the river was on its way to freezing up. Unfortunately, we lost my favorite month of the season this year (October). Despite that, fishing was still good, although we had to resort to late season tactics virtually the whole time. Both guiding and fishing, tubes were the most successful flies for me this season, the best ones being the <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2017/09/connecticut-broodstock-atlantic-salmon.html">German Snaelda and the gold body Willie Gunn.</a> Other successful flies were the <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2012/02/allys-shrimps.html">Ally's Shrimp</a>, <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-dirty-water-dog.html">Dirty Water Dog</a>, <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2016/03/some-recent-ties.html">Green Spey</a>, <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2016/02/out-to-lunch-jones-special.html">Out to Lunch</a>, <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2015/11/naugatuck-quick-report-november-20-21.html">Picasse</a>, <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2017/11/naugatuck-report-november-25-2017.html">Golden Shrimp</a>, and<a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2012/04/hms-sunray-variant.html"> Orange HKA Sunray/Bismo</a>. As you can see, mostly tube flies...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishyphenhyphen4rjJviKmGYtHnEDYWw3AGkJeB3y6BAVV36aGSqyYhWfpNU85bQCbRc_kZN-cMtftC7EKVlUhEi9CAIWlvmqzG-WbI3mjdRYeIV14_AoOZDrl3biKqGOLQx5LIUeW2PGqMliLnNYSc/s1600/IMG_6655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishyphenhyphen4rjJviKmGYtHnEDYWw3AGkJeB3y6BAVV36aGSqyYhWfpNU85bQCbRc_kZN-cMtftC7EKVlUhEi9CAIWlvmqzG-WbI3mjdRYeIV14_AoOZDrl3biKqGOLQx5LIUeW2PGqMliLnNYSc/s320/IMG_6655.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting color, especially for a holdover trout</td></tr>
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The salmon fishing was fun, but the highlight of the season was the number of larger-than-average brown trout in the river this fall. They were a nice bonus and were just as welcome as salmon. The fish pictured above took a big Out to Lunch in high, dirty water. I rested the pool for as long as I could allow, which was only about 30 minutes. I went back at it and caught him again, this time while reeling up a Dirty Water Dog! Based on his color, I suspect he was spawning and highly territorial. He wasn't a wild fish, but still a nice surprise. </div>
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Now it's time to tie some flies, clean my gear, and get ready for the March thaw. If recent trends continue, it might be an April thaw this year. In any case, I'll probably hit the Naugatuck again when the time is right. Spring can be very productive some years, so it will be interesting to see what is in store for us in 2018. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunray Shadows</td></tr>
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Next Wednesday<b>, January 10</b>, I'll be leading the fly tying night at the <a href="https://www.bearsden.com/">Bear's Den</a> in Taunton, Massachusetts. It will be an introduction to tying tube flies. We will be tying the Sunray Shadow, a deadly fly for virtually all species of fish. It is one of my go-to spring flies for salmon, trout, sea run trout, smallmouth bass, striped bass, and anything else that will eat it. It is a simple fly and a great way to learn about the benefits of tube flies.<br />
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On <b>February 3</b>, I will be tying flies at the <a href="http://www.ctflyfish.org/">Connecticut Fly Fisherman's Association 48th Annual Expo at Maneely's in South Windsor, Connecticut</a>. I have no plan to tie anything in particular at the moment so, if you have anything you might like to see tied, let me know. You can comment on this post or <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Contact.html">contact me here</a>. It's a great small show and one not to be missed. Stop buy and say hello!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OQ79Kwt-V8wyHBNoU1IQ99PvxXW0CjCMXAUl96wRGKIAYlm4n_CxuH4lzZ3ujYK7MXeCNGSI4UGA20y2Ji5aDwDa7mhSv4djPzNy3SF_87tt9yfFQv5BmVI9x-YxnjEiec0uM6EXtZ4/s1600/Jock+Scott+3%253A0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OQ79Kwt-V8wyHBNoU1IQ99PvxXW0CjCMXAUl96wRGKIAYlm4n_CxuH4lzZ3ujYK7MXeCNGSI4UGA20y2Ji5aDwDa7mhSv4djPzNy3SF_87tt9yfFQv5BmVI9x-YxnjEiec0uM6EXtZ4/s320/Jock+Scott+3%253A0.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jock Scott </td></tr>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-35098817244783977022017-11-25T20:38:00.000-05:002017-11-30T11:17:05.711-05:00Naugatuck Report - November 25, 2017 - A Welcome Surprise <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVGT2hi2lxb9SOb2yvSnPxxDytkukH3F6bO1rukZ3abofUEkU3kxAhJKofyjC1xpWIoTnFP_XGqITS0dU7ArJDJJ6qA7VFIS8FawG-z0iLHQJolKPiP8FUlv213gnxGkfSZ7dWwjDlik/s1600/Naugatuck+River+Brown+Trout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVGT2hi2lxb9SOb2yvSnPxxDytkukH3F6bO1rukZ3abofUEkU3kxAhJKofyjC1xpWIoTnFP_XGqITS0dU7ArJDJJ6qA7VFIS8FawG-z0iLHQJolKPiP8FUlv213gnxGkfSZ7dWwjDlik/s320/Naugatuck+River+Brown+Trout.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruiser brown trout </td></tr>
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Today was the first day so far this salmon season where I could fish all day long. The day started off with a salmon in net right away. I was betting on fishing close to the surface today, but I threw on a Shumakov Golden Shrimp on my second pass through the first pool. Luckily, that did the trick for a morning salmon, just as it did <a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2015/10/naugatuck-report-102415-shumakov-to.html">two seasons ago in the same pool</a>.<br />
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I was still betting on action close to the surface, but it never came. After flogging three more pools, I switched to the sinking rig. It was a bust at the first pool, but it worked like a charm at my final stop of the day. I didn't plan on being there as long as I was, but the fishing was really good, so I stayed. I had to throw long bombs to reach the fish. I used a 5.6 ips versileader and a small German Snaelda, which has been a very good fly for both me and my clients lately. </div>
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The first pull was a good one, but it fell off immediately. Further down the run, I got my surprise...a bruiser brown trout! And on the Snaelda, of all things. It was bigger, and fought harder, than any of my salmon so far this season.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37iGQ3a3xx1uhfJGWR3gko5MD9y0hKFaExt-kg4sJi4L_QZ_7NAsX81_2WVMmhcwZ_A3z7U-npvGVkyn4PGw5o3peqJmBbye8RkhfL-ephzF0dFYCcjDLwRkEJ_FY7dSQhNCpM1pwZMQ/s1600/P1040972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37iGQ3a3xx1uhfJGWR3gko5MD9y0hKFaExt-kg4sJi4L_QZ_7NAsX81_2WVMmhcwZ_A3z7U-npvGVkyn4PGw5o3peqJmBbye8RkhfL-ephzF0dFYCcjDLwRkEJ_FY7dSQhNCpM1pwZMQ/s320/P1040972.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon and Snaelda</td></tr>
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Then, it was two more salmon on the Snaelda. I switched to a gold body Willie Gunn for a change of place, then nailed one more salmon. It was a good day for sure. The water was 44º and the air topped out around 58º. The flow, 238 cfs, is getting low for this time of year, but it is just right if you know where to go and can handle a switch or spey rod well enough to cover the lies. </div>
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What do all the flies have in common? They are all yellow, orange, and black, a killer combo for this time of year. The German Snealda and the Willie Gunn can be found in my ebook, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Book.html">Flies for Connecticut Atlantic Salmon: How to Tie and Fish Them.</a> The Golden Shrimp recipe can be found below. </div>
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There are plenty of good days left this season! I'm looking at the 10 day forecast, and the weather looks favorable every day. Care to take a trip? Let me know, even if it's last minute...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBsH4km0y2rL5yGJaopXS7HSpDupNspKXvgKiuhuF9olYru576CykzSA11JEaoflEL9isRbmoAZy2PQPcfKL4bVXx1fhQNLLn6HHCzzTwPCOnOtJRFbbHFmHeehCR7bFIw1JymyD8D1I/s1600/Golden+Shrimp+%2528Shumakov%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBsH4km0y2rL5yGJaopXS7HSpDupNspKXvgKiuhuF9olYru576CykzSA11JEaoflEL9isRbmoAZy2PQPcfKL4bVXx1fhQNLLn6HHCzzTwPCOnOtJRFbbHFmHeehCR7bFIw1JymyD8D1I/s320/Golden+Shrimp+%2528Shumakov%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If it ain't yellow, orange, and black, put it back! </td></tr>
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<b>Golden Shrimp (Yuri Shumakov)</b><br />
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Tube: Shumakov Long Range (brass, 4 mm), grooves painted red </div>
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Thread: Glow red or fluorescent orange</div>
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Wing: Two sections golden pheasant tippet dyed red (sub natural gp tippet in pic); yellow bucktail; two strands pearl Midge Flash; hot orange arctic fox</div>
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Hackle: Yellow dyed badger over orange dyed badger </div>
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Head: Glow red or fluorescent orange</div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-60872854276824035612017-11-10T16:23:00.000-05:002017-11-10T16:23:07.767-05:00Naugatuck Report - Early November 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jd2bh5Ih4nP9LdvVCedzXtIEHvxmf6zRXtdzDxlol5pKLotBjfb3xLR6IW7q83EO6sf6S1fsyKeYs5HfvozOOEWWpVij955BiSNk2ibjCkO8IzWMtC6asdFLiHwF99ukjpBiU-HBAc0/s1600/imagejpeg_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="836" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jd2bh5Ih4nP9LdvVCedzXtIEHvxmf6zRXtdzDxlol5pKLotBjfb3xLR6IW7q83EO6sf6S1fsyKeYs5HfvozOOEWWpVij955BiSNk2ibjCkO8IzWMtC6asdFLiHwF99ukjpBiU-HBAc0/s320/imagejpeg_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small, but always appreciated</td></tr>
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After some major setbacks, courtesy of the city of Waterbury, the fall salmon season on the lower Naugatuck River is <i>finally</i> underway. I was optimistic about an early start this season. How wrong I was. Now we need to make up for lost time. <div>
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I went out for a couple hours while my son was at preschool. The river was 53º and the air temperature was 48º. The river was flowing at 319 cfs, making the two handed rod viable, which is a welcome change from the past couple of seasons. I fished with a Sage TCX 11'9" 6 wt. with a Scientific Anglers triple density Scandi head (float/hover/intermediate), and a 9' mono leader. The leader was 6' of 20 lb. mono and 3' of 16 lb. mono. I am giving Rio Salmon/Steelhead mono a try this season. It's sort of like Maxima Ultra-Green. So far, so good. </div>
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I scurried through three pools before I had to drive back to Guilford. I lost the first salmon I hooked, but quickly landed another two. All three took a #5 Picasse. The first salmon landed was small (pictured above). The second once was about 5 lbs. or so. I tied on an orange Bismo and stripped like crazy in my last pass through the pool. A fourth salmon nailed it, but I lost the fish after a minute or two. It was a good way to spend a couple hours. </div>
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Lately, I have been suffering from social media burnout/overload. I probably won't be posting updates regularly like I have in the past. The archives of this blog has a lot of helpful information, so search through old posts for good tips here and there. Also, never hesitate to <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Contact.html">contact me</a> if you have any specific questions. I will be on the river as much as possible, both fishing and guiding, so I'll have my finger on the pulse of what's going on. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water!<br /><br /></div>
Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-82978345507666632992017-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:002017-10-02T00:00:03.956-04:00Killing Some More Time on the Mattabesett Trail <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aB5vBkzi8k_izourHNmG_rnGAu15Ibi1qvsNziVWY3buSYKtAhyphenhyphenY61-Jh8ULXdebBGYnP8cp8iwaeqgxBp4xIGFYNeP8vj-o9CY3hHiTSkCLE428BPSIgpwH2E9jiFv14ydZOO8g79M/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aB5vBkzi8k_izourHNmG_rnGAu15Ibi1qvsNziVWY3buSYKtAhyphenhyphenY61-Jh8ULXdebBGYnP8cp8iwaeqgxBp4xIGFYNeP8vj-o9CY3hHiTSkCLE428BPSIgpwH2E9jiFv14ydZOO8g79M/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's that time of year again. </td></tr>
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Well, we seem to be back in historic low river level territory. While it is alarming, I think we are still a little better off than we were at this time last year. I was optimistic about an early salmon season this year. That's not going to happen, I guess. Maybe I'm foolish, but I think we hit rock bottom last season in terms of precipitation, river levels, high water temperatures, etc. Maybe this year begins the slow, uphill climb back to normal...<div>
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Speaking of slow, uphill climbs, instead of getting hung up on the bad start we're getting in the fall fishing department, I have been enjoying discovering more of the Mattabesett Trail, most of which is only a short distance from my house. The weather might be poor for fishing, but it has been great for hiking. Here are some shots from last week: </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPqcuhJR415zjlvrUdaVMJZRNp7xZJmjp-76WZESNbwOLIxq6gOOFXr0zb0fUaJmvJ8WvvaefH0SMXCAJEgkFPciJH-ptIt0v3j6AFM4dzw1BUY-AMCsqcfQRPFsf5_e2XPVs-c7WG-I/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bear+Rock%25296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPqcuhJR415zjlvrUdaVMJZRNp7xZJmjp-76WZESNbwOLIxq6gOOFXr0zb0fUaJmvJ8WvvaefH0SMXCAJEgkFPciJH-ptIt0v3j6AFM4dzw1BUY-AMCsqcfQRPFsf5_e2XPVs-c7WG-I/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bear+Rock%25296.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Bear Rock in Durham</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO_gXS064AVddDUkzTa8V2U7b3srcrZmm2ptZq7C9mMsi0G29ME2iZPEzSKgfWpypocsTcJjqGHGNVzFUya5P2BsrDmfFGseR-2Z8mmRA-aRcSBd0NtGz1xdtXbEHjlyKpNp2z9Zds8U/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bear+Rock%25298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO_gXS064AVddDUkzTa8V2U7b3srcrZmm2ptZq7C9mMsi0G29ME2iZPEzSKgfWpypocsTcJjqGHGNVzFUya5P2BsrDmfFGseR-2Z8mmRA-aRcSBd0NtGz1xdtXbEHjlyKpNp2z9Zds8U/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bear+Rock%25298.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature, doing what it has to do</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bLPj15y0_0BQEDz6SaUok3TegfSPmnttYfy0XTu821trqf2sCSuXGUq9Sfnikl4gpcB38F4SfWzLvHo4YoXGM5hLbcN2sYrXXXRcej4DpnuoQV4iW5rYiLcWcT1BdP9ouzYnlvvB3RY/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bLPj15y0_0BQEDz6SaUok3TegfSPmnttYfy0XTu821trqf2sCSuXGUq9Sfnikl4gpcB38F4SfWzLvHo4YoXGM5hLbcN2sYrXXXRcej4DpnuoQV4iW5rYiLcWcT1BdP9ouzYnlvvB3RY/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25293.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluff Head, atop Totoket Mountain in Guilford</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVyCm5RsV_GiwAOd8fU_12vGw1mN-vUZLKlhzjyXUxlLRpkUoVt4ELJDRqoDhb7Mx7yNrs2Yit3kkz9MJUHvk5l-OUD8eobdxtLBrgzr-I32CcjRNipJaCcGJppME9-c9q7nwSX4yROI/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVyCm5RsV_GiwAOd8fU_12vGw1mN-vUZLKlhzjyXUxlLRpkUoVt4ELJDRqoDhb7Mx7yNrs2Yit3kkz9MJUHvk5l-OUD8eobdxtLBrgzr-I32CcjRNipJaCcGJppME9-c9q7nwSX4yROI/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25295.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This turkey vulture is looking for a yucky snack. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddb4ji4wiQHgOyZi8J9pQtgKoBe9MhtfETsWE63tv1abzUJfAfN16-y_vp6Z8eHER9ZXMP4LQ2AVjC7_pIS5aV1tL2Rf9zfMPccJYE1vW7IUjpunVwP_v3FtsYaZ4sdapbskDm6mYdYQ/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddb4ji4wiQHgOyZi8J9pQtgKoBe9MhtfETsWE63tv1abzUJfAfN16-y_vp6Z8eHER9ZXMP4LQ2AVjC7_pIS5aV1tL2Rf9zfMPccJYE1vW7IUjpunVwP_v3FtsYaZ4sdapbskDm6mYdYQ/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%25297.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hartford Skyline to the north, opposite to a view of Long Island to the south</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5NES7Sm9W0x-XhwghSW5xfbNpoh5zNWzRGkSUht2GqnRam5l-Z2wwAtqz7niJrmfYzKN2UEtoEdyVXk5QoZi079IslF-Puss93yvpvfi58eewDDGdTrNDErySL7XsZPsnanGVWSZzEw/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%252910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="1600" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5NES7Sm9W0x-XhwghSW5xfbNpoh5zNWzRGkSUht2GqnRam5l-Z2wwAtqz7niJrmfYzKN2UEtoEdyVXk5QoZi079IslF-Puss93yvpvfi58eewDDGdTrNDErySL7XsZPsnanGVWSZzEw/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Bluff%2527s+Head%252910.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluff Head panorama </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCgC78nelzU-UdteD4YuZmDGbyON2avsAQbnqjvVvnMce8HNbWvRpQCWHYO-Zs-De3U2Pe651xrWZbpHNQPFDcer-qiQvavnXoLDoDvjwqCEUc7dNtdKgs04WK9dBFf_cw8Z2KPN7BfA/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528near+Selectman+stones%25291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCgC78nelzU-UdteD4YuZmDGbyON2avsAQbnqjvVvnMce8HNbWvRpQCWHYO-Zs-De3U2Pe651xrWZbpHNQPFDcer-qiQvavnXoLDoDvjwqCEUc7dNtdKgs04WK9dBFf_cw8Z2KPN7BfA/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528near+Selectman+stones%25291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mica Ledges in Durham, overlooking suburbia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6a5JzU5raSFEBiTDTSGuZTFTggHsOinMrm4-bCsXsNat0AGHJSWuUJKC_KQfrlgC_HBgNTabCB1hbbDBzXQkovW3snMGBMyblkt9CdUzmrMNO742r-m4N_6kKuFj9ucEFR2ZwFZauxvA/s1600/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Selectmen%2527s+Stones%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6a5JzU5raSFEBiTDTSGuZTFTggHsOinMrm4-bCsXsNat0AGHJSWuUJKC_KQfrlgC_HBgNTabCB1hbbDBzXQkovW3snMGBMyblkt9CdUzmrMNO742r-m4N_6kKuFj9ucEFR2ZwFZauxvA/s320/Mattabesett+Trail+%2528Selectmen%2527s+Stones%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The selectmen stones, marking the spot where Durham, Guilford, and Madison intersect</td></tr>
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I'm praying for rain. We all should be. Hiking the Mattabesett Trail is fun and all, but I want to be salmon fishing soon. Hopefully, it won't be long until I'm back on the greasy ol' Naugatuck again. Until then, I still have about 40 miles more of the trail to hike...<br /><br /></div>
Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-46383601994053926322017-09-18T00:00:00.000-04:002017-10-01T16:49:41.576-04:00Exploring a Different Type of "Blue Line" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQofct3TmlVvKtymbniStrr2KoP51oWBgz5KZsxmlDZLITpWs3QemWF71WBXGOyeGLie_sIcHj3Y-Pa8ibcCovFUDY4tfsiQG40qcDJoj_1u4YzP-Tk1Z7ZlrVeQ7P9B-nQ9X-9QCMos/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQofct3TmlVvKtymbniStrr2KoP51oWBgz5KZsxmlDZLITpWs3QemWF71WBXGOyeGLie_sIcHj3Y-Pa8ibcCovFUDY4tfsiQG40qcDJoj_1u4YzP-Tk1Z7ZlrVeQ7P9B-nQ9X-9QCMos/s320/Coginchaug+Cave1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the trail is three minutes from my front door.</td></tr>
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Five years ago, my wife and I moved into our current home. She was pregnant with our son, who was born in January. Because she was not physically capable of doing everything she would have normally done, I did most of the unpacking and setup. Then, it was time to finish part of the basement for my home rehearsal/teaching studio. Then, a bunch of other stuff everyone does when they buy a house. Before we knew it, we became new parents and didn't sleep again for the next fourteen months. Four years later, my old life is starting to return, albeit in a somewhat diminished capacity.<br />
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In light of how rushed the move (then the birth) was, we didn't do much exploring around our new neighborhood. I knew that our street is part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattabesett_Trail">Mattabesett Trail</a>, but I never gave it much thought. Even after seeing hikers walk up and down the street all these years, it didn't really occur to me to investigate it. Surely they weren't there to look at suburban homes. Two parents working at either end of the clock was too taxing. At times, it seemed like all we could manage to do was to take care of our most immediate needs. </div>
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One morning last week, while junior was at grandma's house, my wife and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. We have done it plenty of times before but, for some reason, we had never noticed the little blue signs posted to trees just a short distance from our house. I stopped and walked over to the signs. I realized this was where all the hikers' destination. We didn't have time to investigate the trail that day, but I decided to do some research at home. Low and behold, the blue-blazed trail leads to the "Coginchaug cave." Our interest was piqued and we decided to check it out when the boy returned home the next morning. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXCuQ9Ab0OflvToFrSdNVvY55cClOQl_DwMW8o46YMUCbXdiyhw9tvBXodjT-CxVwNfOQ7zzFU4H8n4lXJBQcEegDmsqw1ovcHrmAhzvRBCyydNIl_VlHmfoiDBtYesn2oRyX8uOWSCU/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXCuQ9Ab0OflvToFrSdNVvY55cClOQl_DwMW8o46YMUCbXdiyhw9tvBXodjT-CxVwNfOQ7zzFU4H8n4lXJBQcEegDmsqw1ovcHrmAhzvRBCyydNIl_VlHmfoiDBtYesn2oRyX8uOWSCU/s320/Coginchaug+Cave2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the trail </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz6HnyZUcf8K1KlTLVEEyjBJJX0w2JGKfmnF_v9gp2m2Al-bXwDSsblOdu9m3A9faF3Ww42AE13hcJb8gigBupYXk0kAfN8YrYcFJLqu9UNdztYfbFc_b1XDsaKIFCOpNDdMiffpF2Rc/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz6HnyZUcf8K1KlTLVEEyjBJJX0w2JGKfmnF_v9gp2m2Al-bXwDSsblOdu9m3A9faF3Ww42AE13hcJb8gigBupYXk0kAfN8YrYcFJLqu9UNdztYfbFc_b1XDsaKIFCOpNDdMiffpF2Rc/s320/Coginchaug+Cave3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Follow the blue lines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA35CcUs6_C-yon41OYfubuyL87at_J8uYkEMiI9C0NOETwD1bqGVB1UoGdfjjYDXJkOk9fi3ik8jZLHJdR-YuywGUTtXEt731hGSjrmlvzLDR9pwaz9guKruyKOvu1jGkfgcEycL8NWU/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA35CcUs6_C-yon41OYfubuyL87at_J8uYkEMiI9C0NOETwD1bqGVB1UoGdfjjYDXJkOk9fi3ik8jZLHJdR-YuywGUTtXEt731hGSjrmlvzLDR9pwaz9guKruyKOvu1jGkfgcEycL8NWU/s320/Coginchaug+Cave4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much like our backyard, there are a lot of big, fern-covered, rock piles. </td></tr>
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The trail starts literally three minutes from our front door, making our lack of hiking it the past five years all the more pathetic! From the start of the trail, it is about 3/4 of a mile to the cave. The trail is very easily hiked, except when it climbs in elevation. It's hard for a reasonably fit adult, but there were some precarious places for our four year old companion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQtrRCEgZ6c-PV7Z6Uhdka3GuDEhgKeY0yR4BPOV8rzPUzI_j4Jit09gZ_6wbfqK6SWtmiyDIz1QYBq6mb9RibEGeLK93d_AfdwtRjQOIZogWx61QfpiE_WAiTTPy3-xLvOat-BRhtlg/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQtrRCEgZ6c-PV7Z6Uhdka3GuDEhgKeY0yR4BPOV8rzPUzI_j4Jit09gZ_6wbfqK6SWtmiyDIz1QYBq6mb9RibEGeLK93d_AfdwtRjQOIZogWx61QfpiE_WAiTTPy3-xLvOat-BRhtlg/s320/Coginchaug+Cave5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the cave. Take the left fork from here. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh550y4xTVJeIgnLObR9kzgVUEkwhr_rXWmBtXpPWDWpXHwTOcwtkrHB_nJ9f9ZpcxrKJoVwWDuhwWIe6Xhd4El-oGsskvbqRnbH9iBcRKduQ5Oey4GSfYiIXFYcGm8WKqVKWfYottGipQ/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh550y4xTVJeIgnLObR9kzgVUEkwhr_rXWmBtXpPWDWpXHwTOcwtkrHB_nJ9f9ZpcxrKJoVwWDuhwWIe6Xhd4El-oGsskvbqRnbH9iBcRKduQ5Oey4GSfYiIXFYcGm8WKqVKWfYottGipQ/s320/Coginchaug+Cave6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know less than nothing about geology, but I think this is quartz.<br />
There is a ton of it here. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ2Vtgbi25HBiO-T45XHZGYat4qknXRqiJR8wPSiHSJ5nx1PLASW4NWK4nz0I78OSi4-D-aWV9IwoEx26hpapNDObUnaCM-jLi0ZFb3hLma4k2vvhjTHLIsGoD3d89kd4XvuI1DRftHY/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ2Vtgbi25HBiO-T45XHZGYat4qknXRqiJR8wPSiHSJ5nx1PLASW4NWK4nz0I78OSi4-D-aWV9IwoEx26hpapNDObUnaCM-jLi0ZFb3hLma4k2vvhjTHLIsGoD3d89kd4XvuI1DRftHY/s320/Coginchaug+Cave7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from above</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYpWvQhaMAn5kTfJi0caL5NHJ7-MYd-HsDDwQ9Urhb8JpjN8R_HCyWCKVp_aNVHp0D59cU3KbRgTCztBt92R4idux85N2BpQEkOLrLdWwCY94-FLY7U8nImaUALAmMvmKzoC0J5OYQWs/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYpWvQhaMAn5kTfJi0caL5NHJ7-MYd-HsDDwQ9Urhb8JpjN8R_HCyWCKVp_aNVHp0D59cU3KbRgTCztBt92R4idux85N2BpQEkOLrLdWwCY94-FLY7U8nImaUALAmMvmKzoC0J5OYQWs/s320/Coginchaug+Cave8.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail headed down towards the cave was a little precarious for a four year old. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn2qRFqt-3ZxlQyYpaIjDDJT3YbHEc-xmdrnrKarjKhh4teKRtNks9eollAWP6xMFBtltHj55F9HovPcqhRDonRodx4PZxIGo2IgxjfqAHk8qRuBpXCoLYWNCfxHeJPgIet9qWOQC7nk/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn2qRFqt-3ZxlQyYpaIjDDJT3YbHEc-xmdrnrKarjKhh4teKRtNks9eollAWP6xMFBtltHj55F9HovPcqhRDonRodx4PZxIGo2IgxjfqAHk8qRuBpXCoLYWNCfxHeJPgIet9qWOQC7nk/s320/Coginchaug+Cave9.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of Coginchaug Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFwqKJDcpeFVD-1Q9a3GxJZvMlJhUgf282ykmnHyIVzOYvrsSDl9WiBhmKUxYvMTiDj7UJgWVF9G5eGpmqEGAInec3LUSqmI5NykO4CrqyUHbL5oRlUGd-hPkBA3Wm1XZSjbEVKB0Ro4/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFwqKJDcpeFVD-1Q9a3GxJZvMlJhUgf282ykmnHyIVzOYvrsSDl9WiBhmKUxYvMTiDj7UJgWVF9G5eGpmqEGAInec3LUSqmI5NykO4CrqyUHbL5oRlUGd-hPkBA3Wm1XZSjbEVKB0Ro4/s320/Coginchaug+Cave10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from inside the cave</td></tr>
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It took about 40 minutes to reach the cave, though it takes much less time without a small child in tow (I've made it there and back in about an hour). It's not really a "cave" as much as it is a huge rock overhang. If you had any illusions about a spelunking expedition, forget about it. The size of the rock is actually sort of impressive, even more so considering our proximity to it. The forest is beautiful, full of yellow birch, black birch, and beech trees, along with all sorts of ferns and mosses. </div>
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I haven't yet continued along the trail, but supposedly the next sight is the Pine Knob Overlook. I figure I'll wait until the leaves have fallen to check that out. Or maybe I won't wait. It's not like this place is far from home. All it's missing is a little stream, filled with native brook trout. Of course, if it had that, it wouldn't have taken me five years to find it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7r84hbdqexVLBQWD1t5IOUS8nD1QrbIUHo9tvs6zqNYxHXmx7fjLln1zAM-ooTWtIpxf7TJhs289dxWFrEWgOo-qHtfw6etGO_fmAziEU2iRgfiASJ0wMtz6feYDpkX9IjeRrytmUlA/s1600/Coginchaug+Cave11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7r84hbdqexVLBQWD1t5IOUS8nD1QrbIUHo9tvs6zqNYxHXmx7fjLln1zAM-ooTWtIpxf7TJhs289dxWFrEWgOo-qHtfw6etGO_fmAziEU2iRgfiASJ0wMtz6feYDpkX9IjeRrytmUlA/s320/Coginchaug+Cave11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coginchaug Cave</td></tr>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-81388878001025573442017-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:002017-09-11T00:00:13.461-04:00Connecticut Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Season: One Hand or Two? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0bPbboTyKHwDuQlNTthVqR6kcXQ3_csqlY4lPqiafVS1ShDF-C9tA0bzWe5Zo9Ew_CJHs1Uf9kxs-D2E-sHYMqP6j_6eB0Pxpn4WTH8vV7oFFGBd9HSfHblYRoSuyaN6bwXOsk7SbgE/s1600/P1040457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0bPbboTyKHwDuQlNTthVqR6kcXQ3_csqlY4lPqiafVS1ShDF-C9tA0bzWe5Zo9Ew_CJHs1Uf9kxs-D2E-sHYMqP6j_6eB0Pxpn4WTH8vV7oFFGBd9HSfHblYRoSuyaN6bwXOsk7SbgE/s320/P1040457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Sage z-Axis 11' 6wt switch rod<br />Bottom: Orvis Hydros 9'6" 6wt</td></tr>
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When I am guiding, particulairly in the early season, I'm often asked whether a single or double handed rod is appropriate. Before this four year stretch of low water, the answer was easy. Either are fine. It seems like 2017-2018 might be more like a typical year in terms of water levels. Despite having great success in low water, I'm anxious about getting back to the way it used to be. I miss using the two handed rod in the early season, even if the fish are spread out over a much greater area. <div>
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During the past several years, I have focused on the lower Naugatuck River, which can be an excellent place to fish either a one to two handed rod throughout the season. I don't recommend a two handed rod for fishing the upper Naugatuck. The river is too narrow. However, single handed spey can come in handy up there. Like the lower Naugatuck, the Shetucket River can go either way. In general, it's wider than the lower Naugatuck, but with a more gentle current. The tips below mainly reflect my experience on the lower Naugatuck, but can be tweaked and applied to the other two salmon fishing areas in Connecticut. </div>
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<b>When to use a Single Handed Fly Rod</b><br /><br />
The single handed fly rod is my tool of choice in the early season when the river is at a low-to-normal level. The lower Naugatuck doesn't have bank to bank current, so I think of fishing the runs as fishing a "river within a river." This can be more like small stream angling in that the run might only be 10-25 feet across. Long casts are usually not necessary. The only place where casting gets difficult is where the narrow band current follows the near bank. In this case, single handed spey casts or cack handed casting may be necessary due to the tree-lined banks.<br />
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I like to target the inside and outside seams. Because the water flow is so weak in low water, the fly often has to be animated instead of simply swung through the run. A lot of strikes come when stripping the fly back along the inside seam. Because of this, dealing with running line and a shooting head can be a pain in the neck (more on that later). I have hooked salmon with my mono leader almost inside the tip of the guides. If nothing takes, just shake out some fly line and recast.<br />
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Stripping a fly through slow water can be very effective. I prefer a smooth retrieve, be it fast or slow. I don't let the fly pause. Often times, I place my rod under my right arm and strip with two hands, even when fishing a fly slowly. I can feel as soon as the fish strikes. As opposed to waiting a moment to set the hook, like with a swung fly, I tend to tighten up right away when stripping with both hands. I find a more proactive approach gets a stronger hookset in very slow water. In any case, I find this type of fishing easier with a single handed fly rod.<br />
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If I expect to fish dry flies, I will usually bring a single handed rod, though I fish them on the two hander now and then. I think I am more accurate with a single handed rod. When fishing dries, I mainly fish to known lies or spotted fish, so I want the fly to land exactly where I want it to land.<br />
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My single handed rods of choice are an Orvis Hydros 9'6" 6wt and a Sage One 9' 7wt. If I had to pick one, it would be the latter. The heaviest I go is 8 wt., but it is rare I use it since I don't often fish large, heavy flies with a single handed fly rod.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgFZXt2KvnYv0em-Jq3J2o0Bn8T2S8WP9Zy3irWSqtc_ZlWRt5vj5E-sX-9WKqw77vdzJ5Mk7TM122-CG88xmeHEBx2clB9sdqYBMxlaUSh9VcvxNjXO3TgNe2Zwjx_aUCRN-3K5vDew/s1600/Gear+2015+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgFZXt2KvnYv0em-Jq3J2o0Bn8T2S8WP9Zy3irWSqtc_ZlWRt5vj5E-sX-9WKqw77vdzJ5Mk7TM122-CG88xmeHEBx2clB9sdqYBMxlaUSh9VcvxNjXO3TgNe2Zwjx_aUCRN-3K5vDew/s320/Gear+2015+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A two handed set up for high, colored water...intermediate Scandi head,<br />7.0 ips Versileader, and a big tube fly</td></tr>
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<b>When to use a Two Handed Fly Rod</b><br />
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<b> </b>When the water is right for swinging a fly, I'd much rather use a two handed rod than a single hander. A lot of anglers think it's for distance casting. It does cast further more easily, that's for sure, but it's not my main reason for using a two hander. The banks are lined with trees and can be steep. Backcast room can be limited to virtually non-existent. In this scenario, the two handed rod is definitely superior.<br />
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In higher water, the current still isn't bank to bank. Again, I like to fish the inside and outside seams, but I have to reach further to do it. I also have to control a longer length of line. A longer rod makes it easier to do both. In very high water, there will be some fish lying close to the bank. Either a single or double hand rod will work, but I prefer the versatility of the double.<br />
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Except in really high water, our rivers aren't really good places for traditional spey lines. We just don't need that much distance. Most of my fish are caught with modest length casts, not Hail Marys. As such, shooting heads are good choices. Either a Skagit or Scandi head will work, though I prefer the Scandi setup.<br />
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Most of the time, I'm not throwing a heavy fly. The Scandi system delivers a fly with more delicacy. Also, the airborne anchor creates less disturbance on the surface of the water. One common mistake I see, most often with Skagit casters, is laying the line right over the run and ripping the anchor through water that might hold fish. With an airborne anchor (such as with the single spey or snake roll), the anchor will happen behind or alongside the angler, where fish aren't as likely to hold.<br />
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As the season rolls on, it might be necessary to fish a fly deeper and slower. I used to use floating heads and polyleaders. Now, I find multiple density heads more effective, especially when it comes to slowing a fly down. Both Scientific Anglers and Rio make multi density heads. Guideline makes great heads, too, but they are hard to find in the US. A good selection of shooting heads would include a full floater, float/hover/intermediate (F/H/I), hover, intermediate, S3 (H/I/S3), and intermediate/S3/S5 (I/S3/S5). I don't use the I/S3/S4 much, as these rivers don't have heavy enough current to justify its use. I have it in case I need it, though. Of course, single handed sinking lines can be used on single handed rods, but I find it easier to extract the line from the water with a two handed rod than with a short single hander.<br />
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I don't fish too long of a rod here in Connecticut. I don't often need extreme distance. My early season two hander of choice is a Sage Z-Axis 11' 6wt. I like to use a 325-350 grain Scandi head with this rod (floating). When I need a little more power, I use a different rod. This year, I'll be using a Sage TCX 11'9" 6wt. It prefers lines in the 374-425 grain range. This is the rod I use with sinking heads and when I need to cast a larger fly or throw a bit longer line. If I really need to cast far, I use a 12'6"-13' rod, but nothing longer than that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High water salmon....lower Naugy @ 1000cfs<br />Time for a longer rod, this time a 13 footer</td></tr>
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Regardless of water levels, I always travel with both single and double handed rods. When the river is at that sort of "in between"level, I might use either, or even both, depending on the pool. Be prepared. It's better to have it and not use it, then to need it and not have it. A lot of anglers so desperately want to use the two handed rod that they neglect the effectiveness of the single hander in certain conditions. For me, the job is fun, regardless of the tools needed. </div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-61725620684611256382017-09-04T00:00:00.000-04:002017-09-04T00:00:06.717-04:00Connecticut Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Season: Favorite Flies, Month by Month<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjcDrDhh0LAzx9zzcqPaPvuV7Ig2se2VXHaXcbN_2eTDQCAs7CMZ31-nFGZLO7JwF_EdI7UZkcD5Yvwn-0qEOxOpc_1wHVIy-U_E1C1HefYxidVqBR5K9AucagrE8nulqoH7pDGsTNU8/s1600/Green+Machine+Salmon+10-25-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1362" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjcDrDhh0LAzx9zzcqPaPvuV7Ig2se2VXHaXcbN_2eTDQCAs7CMZ31-nFGZLO7JwF_EdI7UZkcD5Yvwn-0qEOxOpc_1wHVIy-U_E1C1HefYxidVqBR5K9AucagrE8nulqoH7pDGsTNU8/s320/Green+Machine+Salmon+10-25-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Green Machine, fished wet, accounted for three salmon in 30 minutes this October day.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://theleaper.blogspot.com/2017/08/connecticut-broodstock-atlantic-salmon.html">Following on the heels of last week's post</a>, this week's post is about my favorite fly for each month of the fall, plus a bonus winter and spring fly. I like tying almost as much as fishing, so it is difficult for me to narrow it down to one fly for each month, but I will do my best. Since fly selection is dependent on conditions, try not to think of these as the <i>best</i> flies to use as much as they're flies to always have on hand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOiOjhtThbKuUSrpGzSFdjpxoGK2y4d-iGmTu3hqXtOVBOmwQ-PAvtft9ccYmIyyLsoHX947u4oVe-Gr_Uta8wy2m8AL88TjiArsE8SDXK5OZcqdALqYcD_u8JQuRUfe5OQr7dWAJLvM/s1600/German+Snaelda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOiOjhtThbKuUSrpGzSFdjpxoGK2y4d-iGmTu3hqXtOVBOmwQ-PAvtft9ccYmIyyLsoHX947u4oVe-Gr_Uta8wy2m8AL88TjiArsE8SDXK5OZcqdALqYcD_u8JQuRUfe5OQr7dWAJLvM/s320/German+Snaelda.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Snaelda tied on a brass tube</td></tr>
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<b>September: </b>My fly of choice is an unusual one for an unusual month. I have only experienced broodstock salmon fishing in one September (2013), but it was a great month. As expected, the water was low and relatively warm. As such, any angler would expect small flies to work well under those conditions. They did, but a surprising revelation was that a small German Snaelda, tied on a heavy brass tube, worked like a charm when the salmon wouldn't rise for the usual stuff. Since the fish were holding in the fastest water, a heavy tube fly got through the chop quickly and I hooked several salmon on the Snaelda that September. Actually, I got my clocked cleaned by one that took off like a banshee and cartwheeled all over the pool. It was one of three fish hooked on the tube fly that afternoon. Though I would always try a small wet fly first, I wouldn't be without the German Snaelda in very early season fishing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDzN0xPhiRuUriudE8xWp5K3n1lauKl9nln5yGm6LY8rqA_AW9KZ9j3LhizlXlL-UxsEbUidY79BdThv9Uo79Gz6l2CCUsrv-mimhQeJ4mk3ej76ToUlcw0FD7Jx9LSr2oDRUiSYuvvw/s1600/Buck+Bugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDzN0xPhiRuUriudE8xWp5K3n1lauKl9nln5yGm6LY8rqA_AW9KZ9j3LhizlXlL-UxsEbUidY79BdThv9Uo79Gz6l2CCUsrv-mimhQeJ4mk3ej76ToUlcw0FD7Jx9LSr2oDRUiSYuvvw/s320/Buck+Bugs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buck Bugs in various color schemes</td></tr>
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<b>October: </b>It's a tough call, but I have to choose a Buck Bug, which is the most versatile fly of them all. Tied with a body of spun deer hair, a Buck Bug can be fished like a traditional wet fly, fished with the riffling hitch, or greased and fished as a dry fly. My favorite is the Green Machine with a white tail. If you tie your own flies, make sure you don't pack the deer hair too tightly. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL35_2QpIzNGYXTQJWLzqIKYa9PkunbUU_ApCqoXnO0PKbu_o9WH0MmmY2OHBLpcI2mc5VMbtwcAAs1mMeyE5e7PQn-7Yozv6k2V7jxqYcrVvG87ve1wySxUmfyWov7AhfuqifJikAicE/s1600/Mickey+Finn+var+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL35_2QpIzNGYXTQJWLzqIKYa9PkunbUU_ApCqoXnO0PKbu_o9WH0MmmY2OHBLpcI2mc5VMbtwcAAs1mMeyE5e7PQn-7Yozv6k2V7jxqYcrVvG87ve1wySxUmfyWov7AhfuqifJikAicE/s320/Mickey+Finn+var+%25234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mickey Finn var. with fluorescent red bucktail</td></tr>
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<b>November: </b>Now it's time for the king of all broodstock salmon flies, the Mickey Finn. Really, there is no bad time to fish a Mickey Finn. I could have made it fly of choice from September through December, but that wouldn't be much fun. I have had success on Mickey Finns from size 2 down to size 14. My favorite sizes are 6 and 4, particularly the latter for fishing in November. I like to tie it with a couple minor variations. I use a flat braid for the body. I find it holds up better than flat tinsel because it shreds rather than breaks. Sometimes I use regular red bucktail and red Krystal Flash, other times I use fluorescent red bucktail without Krystal Flash. I am particularly fond of the fluorescent red variation. It's almost a magenta color. When in doubt, use a Mickey Finn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ58hzhmakE8lA4lpsBNHXWUrV0sPKmnowpUDCNfp5Y7zSVl1ZM6WFXGT3kYkCR4XniiMfm6f_47dRyRklq9Oy8BLr8OMr77bX0fNdK1Mt1SfIqrlvVgjIdZZIqzcfsJAvGp4V2y1LzZg/s1600/Willie+Gunn+1.5in+SBS12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ58hzhmakE8lA4lpsBNHXWUrV0sPKmnowpUDCNfp5Y7zSVl1ZM6WFXGT3kYkCR4XniiMfm6f_47dRyRklq9Oy8BLr8OMr77bX0fNdK1Mt1SfIqrlvVgjIdZZIqzcfsJAvGp4V2y1LzZg/s320/Willie+Gunn+1.5in+SBS12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gold Body Willie Gunn is a great big fish fly</td></tr>
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<b>December: </b>Early December is a great time to target big salmon. Without a doubt, my favorite fly for these big brutes is the Willie Gunn, tied with a gold body. In late November and early December, large fish might still be holding near the heavy current. Tied on a copper tube, this fly gets down fast. A sinking tip or line helps keep the fly down. It is an aggressive presentation, but it often times effective. One of the largest broodstock salmon I've ever landed took a gold Willie Gunn, one of three fish on that fly that December day. It is a very easy fly to tie and a good one for those learning to tie tube flies. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grape tube fly, tied with lots of flash</td></tr>
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<b>Winter (January-March): </b>This time of year is all sunk line work with a slow, mobile, aluminum tube fly. What is more mobile than marabou? The lethargic winter fish usually follow a fly from behind and nip at its rear end. Because of this, I like to use an exceptionally long piece of junction tube with the hook extending beyond the back end of the marabou. It helps to hook the "nippers". Other color combinations work well, but I have caught most of my salmon with the Grape. Any big, fluffy fly should work, but keep that hook way back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sugerman Shrimp, my all-time favorite salmon fly</td></tr>
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<b>Spring:</b> Now it's time for my all-time favorite salmon fly, the Sugerman Shrimp. Honestly, I've had plenty of luck with it in all months. I like a big size 2 or 4 Sugerman when the water is cold, but the air is warm, fished on a floating line. The largest broodstock salmon I've ever hooked took a big Sugerman Shrimp variation. Like the Grape, it's mobile, but the fish will nail it with more authority in the spring, so there is no need for a hook set way in the back. In the spring, the salmon are hungry and a big Sugerman Shrimp looks like a yummy meal. It is definitely one not to be without. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant colors, both fish and fly</td></tr>
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Hopefully this gives you some non-Mickey Finn options, even though the Mickey Finn is as good as any and better than most. Most eastern fly fishers are intimately familiar with this iconic bucktail pattern. The rest of the flies might not be as familiar, especially those tied on tubes. There's no reason to be scared off. All these flies, and many more, can be found in my ebook <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Book.html">"Flies for Connecticut Atlantic Salmon: How to Tie and Fish Them,"</a> available for both Apple iOS devices and in universal PDF form. Get tying, fall is almost here! </div>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-90660283616649435962017-08-28T00:00:00.000-04:002017-08-28T00:00:11.838-04:00Connecticut Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Season: Month by Month <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q3ykseKchgivfztLTjUPRAEWcG3wJ78ko-aeoxbX6vOdSlwM3HQbAuQNpcqw4Sm-qDQfZWlpvtS3znnuaby4OyHm7KLCoVY6IXXum8l9C-sGi26epDsldbXxclgiIUKK4Cb_WKzFf0c/s1600/Mancuso2016-11-05+at+8.30.56+PM+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q3ykseKchgivfztLTjUPRAEWcG3wJ78ko-aeoxbX6vOdSlwM3HQbAuQNpcqw4Sm-qDQfZWlpvtS3znnuaby4OyHm7KLCoVY6IXXum8l9C-sGi26epDsldbXxclgiIUKK4Cb_WKzFf0c/s320/Mancuso2016-11-05+at+8.30.56+PM+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handsome early season salmon</td></tr>
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As I'm starting to compile a list of anglers interested in guided trips this season, I find myself typing the same information over and over again. Most of it has to do with the when to plan a trip, as the character of each month can very different from the other months. This information might be helpful to the greater public, plus I won't have to type it out again if I post it on my blog. Here is the rundown as I see it and as it pertains to the Naugatuck River fishery:<br />
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<b>September: </b>As far as I know, there has only been one season with a September start, which was in 2013. This was before the state published stocking information on social media sites and I had some "inside information" about when the surprise first stocking would happen. I was out on the river as soon as I could get there and I had the place to myself for about two weeks. I caught a bunch of salmon, however, the temperatures were borderline for a safe release. At that time, a salmon could be harvested in September. The only one I ever kept was one, caught that September, that I couldn't revive. Now, September salmon can no longer be retained. </div>
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Because of the borderline water temperature (often reaching 70º by mid day), fishing was best early and late. The fish were very active and aggressive when the temperature agreed with them. When it got too warm, they sulked. As such, I planned my trips for times it would least dangerous for the salmon, opting to stay home on the warmest days. Once we got into October, the temperature was no longer an issue. </div>
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I don't know if we'll ever see a September start again, but it was nice. As long as anglers pay attention to the water temperatures, it can be a fun and productive time to fish, particularly with small flies, dry flies, floating lines, and single handed rods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rpQ2qj4n19-H1ro3VGsG-F6iHDkghAJ8toDqVjoWbgZ9MkaMd8bz_l8sEsHj6CrkYLrN4V1E_GdCGswt-cQSut6fUyU79LN289w3qgWsRpTFQFwNJsj3_PKXj1trfYxpAL-gtxeLT7Q/s1600/Salmon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rpQ2qj4n19-H1ro3VGsG-F6iHDkghAJ8toDqVjoWbgZ9MkaMd8bz_l8sEsHj6CrkYLrN4V1E_GdCGswt-cQSut6fUyU79LN289w3qgWsRpTFQFwNJsj3_PKXj1trfYxpAL-gtxeLT7Q/s320/Salmon1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I suspect this extremely hard fighting salmon was one of the barren fish. </td></tr>
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<b>October: </b>Traditionally, the first salmon are stocked during the first or second week of October. The first salmon are small, averaging 3-6 lbs. What they lack in size they make up for in spunk. These fish are usually aggressive, take a fly well, and are willing to rise to a dry fly under the right conditions. The chance of catching a barren salmon exists now (one that won't spawn). Barren salmon fight much harder than post-spawn hatchery fish. The best broodstock salmon fights I've experienced have been with what I suspect were barren salmon, which are usually more silvery than dull gray. They are still feeding and are suckers for a sz. 6 Mickey Finn. </div>
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The fewest number of salmon are in the river in the first half of October, but it is my favorite time to fish. We haven't turned back the clocks yet and the evening bite is usually still good. The fish will take a variety of flies, will be interested in different presentations, and will chase long distances. When hooked, many will fight hard and will jump several times. If you're lucky enough to hook into a barren fish, you might even see some high flying cartwheels. </div>
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Late October is a transitional period. I usually start out with a single handed rod. If we have a low water autumn, I will stick with that rod for the month. If we experience normal-to-high water, I fish a short two handed rod, usually no longer than 12' or so. The water is still warm enough to get salmon to the surface, so I rarely use a sinking tip or line. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpOCY2t6HDbqacb46sv4VtQEy8-b2efeobqEu94WupA0h7hEtmmBmluyF7iM_w9bLfqB45e9IulgI1CD4mfHpeLkm64KzC-jicXIxbY0ApiMUmErZxsjj3c58l0Z-M1MrcTPStJIhELs/s1600/Naugatuck+salmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpOCY2t6HDbqacb46sv4VtQEy8-b2efeobqEu94WupA0h7hEtmmBmluyF7iM_w9bLfqB45e9IulgI1CD4mfHpeLkm64KzC-jicXIxbY0ApiMUmErZxsjj3c58l0Z-M1MrcTPStJIhELs/s320/Naugatuck+salmon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The larger fish now make their appearance later in the season. </td></tr>
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<b>November:</b> The first Sunday in November brings us one less hour of daylight. November also brings us falling temperatures and lots of falling leaves. Though the leaves can be a nuisance, the salmon will still take flies. We might even get accumulating snow in November. The water is usually high enough to use a two handed rod all month. Early in the month, an unweighted fly on a mono leader is usually enough. As the month goes on, however, it might be necessary to use a polyleader, sink tip, and/or weighted fly to get down to the more lethargic fish.<br />
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The larger salmon make their appearance starting in November, typically near the middle to the end of the month. The salmon can weight up to 20 lbs. or more. In past years, large fish weren't all that uncommon. Now, there are much fewer than there used to be, though they can still be targeted. With a little luck, they can be hooked. With even more luck, they can be landed! </div>
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Due to the falling water temperature, the fishing in November is usually a little slower paced than in September or October. The trade-off is that there are more fish in the river and there is the chance of catching a much larger fish. A warm spell in November can mean terrific fishing. The dry fly isn't as much of an option, however, the first dry fly CT salmon I caught was during a November warm streak. Anything can happen. </div>
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I guide more during November than any other month. It's probably the best month to get an overall feel for the fishery. The fish have spread out by then and more pools are in play than earlier in the season. It sounds strange but, on the lower Naugatuck, the higher water actually makes wading easier, allowing the angler to fish further down the runs in the less rocky sections. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December brings sinking lines and bigger flies</td></tr>
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<b>December:</b> Without a doubt, December is the oddest of all the months. Usually by early December, all of the that season's salmon will have been stocked...but...anglers are allowed to retain one salmon per day beginning on December 1. For a brief period of time, there will be more (and bigger) salmon in the river in December than in any other month, although, this is a declining balance as fish are caught and kept. Also, the old salmon will have really spread throughout the system by December.<br />
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I have had tremendous fishing in early December some seasons. I've also had some pretty forgettable fishing in other years. The quality of the fishing is usually dictated by the weather. December 2015 was really warm and the fishing was off the charts. It was one of my best months ever. I've had a few 5+ salmon days in various Decembers. But it is a crapshoot. </div>
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Knowing the movement patterns of the salmon helps figure out where salmon will be lurking in December. They are usually getting ready to hunker down for winter. Covering water is essential as the fish tend to spread out more and hold in slower water. As such, a two handed rod is a very useful tool since sinking lines become a regular piece of gear. The small flies of the early season get put back into their boxes, away go the dry flies, and large, mobile tube flies become most useful. </div>
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As is the case in November, a warm stretch can really make for good fishing. Most of the days will be cold, however, and the best fishing confined to a short window in the early afternoon. By 4:45pm, it is often too dark fish and the fish are too lethargic to bother leaving their lies. Our commute home is just in time for rush hour traffic. </div>
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When it comes to my own fishing in December, I tend to cherrypick my days and times. I don't spend all day on the river. This is a time of year when I actually recommend half day guide trips over full day trips. Like I said before, it's a gamble, especially when planning far in advance. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AZu2nHVtFviFIYec69rQpPvEBp2GlrTxJbFnY6YQjyq1lp5cdMZCmohNjlWazcSXv9E7zK-LgQhBZjY4W9JcFIaL4-p3y6eQf0rlUuuYEmL5kEDjHKyZN3xJXa93xW8bnf4bbmh9w0M/s1600/Naugy+Salmon+12%253A27%253A15+RB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AZu2nHVtFviFIYec69rQpPvEBp2GlrTxJbFnY6YQjyq1lp5cdMZCmohNjlWazcSXv9E7zK-LgQhBZjY4W9JcFIaL4-p3y6eQf0rlUuuYEmL5kEDjHKyZN3xJXa93xW8bnf4bbmh9w0M/s320/Naugy+Salmon+12%253A27%253A15+RB1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice salmon, caught on Dec. 27, 2015. This was one of five that day. </td></tr>
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<b>Winter (January-March): </b>Admittedly, I don't fish often during the winter months. I'm usually sort of tired of it by then and I have a lot of tying to do for customers traveling to Canada and Europe for Atlantic salmon fishing in the spring and summer. When the weather warms up for a few days, I'll go out and try my luck as long as the river isn't too icy. A warm streak will melt snow and bring up the river, but the fish will usually go on the feed. If there hasn't been too much retention, it can be possible to catch a fish or two, sometimes more. Mid-to-late March can be good if the winter isn't too brutal or lengthy. I had a particularly good March a few years ago. There are no guarantees when it comes to salmon fishing, particularly at this time of year. </div>
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Expect to fish low and slow during the winter. Cover water and fish the middle of the day. It's not necessary to get on the river in the early morning and it's usually not necessary to stay until sunset. It's a good way to fight off cabin fever. If there hasn't been rampant poaching and/or retention, there will still be a fair amount of salmon around, certainly enough to target. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small, silvery salmon caught on April 29</td></tr>
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<b>Spring & Summer:</b> The salmon season closes temporarily beginning on April 1. It reopens on opening day, which is the second Saturday in April. If there are enough salmon left to target in spring, they will be on the feed. The sinking lines can be ditched in favor of floating lines and mono leaders as long as the river isn't too high. The salmon pictured above was caught on April 29, which is the latest in the spring I've ever caught one (I've usually moved on to spring runs by then). It can be worth a shot if you know where salmon might be. The bonus is that there are usually trout around at the same time.<br />
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The latest I've heard of a salmon being hooked was during a cold period in early July. It appears as if some actually hold over, though it is anyone's guess if they can make it through the heat of August and early September. I once tried to find them in July, based on some local intel. I waited until we had some unseasonably cool weather and was fishing at first light. The water was about 65ºF. I didn't wind up finding any salmon, though I landed a beautiful, acrobatic, holdover rainbow trout. </div>
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That's the long and short of it, at least in my experience. Though I fish the Naugatuck River, I imagine the Shetucket follows similar patterns. I like my broodstock salmon fishing to mirror my wild salmon fishing as much as possible, so I tend to favor the warmer months, or at least the months that aren't too freezing. I have a couple friends who prefer the cold and who do quite well in winter. To each, his or her own. </div>
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If you have any questions, you know where to find me...</div>
Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-28385043170683487042017-08-21T00:00:00.000-04:002017-08-21T00:00:21.281-04:00A Ceremonial End to Summer Begins Prep Work for Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB</td></tr>
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The summer of 2017 was the 50th anniversary of the longest free, continuously run jazz festival in the US, now known as <a href="http://hartfordjazzsociety.com/paul-brown-monday-night-jazz/">"Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz."</a> Held at Bushnell Park, in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz was started by one of our finest local jazz musicians, bassist Paul Brown (affectionately known as "PB"). Paul passed away last year, but has left quite a legacy in Hartford as a top-caliber musician, educator, and concert promoter. I was fortunate enough to play more gigs with PB than I can recall. I, as well as the rest of the Hartford jazz community, misses his positive, encouraging vibe, always encouraging us to keep "fighting the good fight".<br />
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I was fortunate enough to play the opening night of the 2017 Monday Night concert season, a tribute to PB, as well as the closing night last Monday. As often is the case in the world of performing artists, there is a lot of time spent waiting around. Usually, it is a time to catch up with old musician friends who might not see each other too often. Last night, I decided to be a little more productive in the time between soundcheck and the beginning of the concert. Seeing how the Connecticut broodstock Atlantic salmon season is potentially right around the corner, I decided to take inventory of my flies and consolidate them into one box (after BS'ing for a while, of course).<br />
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We're at that sort of pivotal point of summer when river conditions could go either way. We've had a fairly wet, cool year so far and the drought is long gone. Without a doubt, we are currently in a better position than we were at the same time in either 2015 or 2016. Water levels are hovering around their historical average at the moment. That could all change very quickly if we don't get regular rain over the course of the next month or so. However, if the wet, cool weather continues, I'm cautiously optimistic of having an early start like we had in 2013, when the season started around the third week of September. In terms of numbers, 2013 was the best season I've ever had. I would love to see that happen again!<br />
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So the prep work begins...I have to stock up on flies for the upcoming season, lube a couple reels, switch some lines, wax my ferrules, and order a lot more leader material. I plan on hitting the ground running this season. If you're interested in booking a guide trip, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Contact.html">contact me</a> and I will add you to the email blast that goes out immediately after the first stocking. Dates are first come first served and the prime dates tend to go quickly. Also, if you are interested in a presentation for your TU chapter or angling club, <a href="http://www.benbilello.com/salmonflies/Presentations.html">a list of available topics can be seen here</a>.<br />
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And if you want to come see some music, <a href="http://benbilello.com/Site/Performances.html">check my calendar here</a>. It usually begins to fill up quickly come September. If you drop me an email, I let you know which gigs are the ones not to miss. As always, I'm here to answer virtually any question, so feel free to fire away. Get tying...salmon season will be here very soon!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaefZTVlbvzFKo3QR4epJwwRZ3u6FCuJffQFpalh52zUy4fdeTHvhg6WTS-vd-c1rozEKx-Kk0fA0_zNsxA_NHQq2oXkqHxiDVETlvYk8rYL9iE7Hix8teqpd7IHG5xIpHs_qJNNrLfM/s1600/UL+B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaefZTVlbvzFKo3QR4epJwwRZ3u6FCuJffQFpalh52zUy4fdeTHvhg6WTS-vd-c1rozEKx-Kk0fA0_zNsxA_NHQq2oXkqHxiDVETlvYk8rYL9iE7Hix8teqpd7IHG5xIpHs_qJNNrLfM/s320/UL+B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A particularly crazy salmon...I can't wait to meet his friends soon. </td></tr>
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<br />Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-7705613217173892142017-07-31T10:54:00.002-04:002017-07-31T12:23:03.105-04:00Catching Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj3nxcHBg2l2R75XiW6oCC8nSjFzeViaiPR_d06BtygVaAcDHcu_e7qlZXDkkZ5pei3X2yt2Tq7OGlIAPUtD9P10dQYrRIE74waxodFpGc0fgUKTo4ztaTdX_em-txd-VEExn9jy2OdE/s1600/Schoolie+4%253A20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj3nxcHBg2l2R75XiW6oCC8nSjFzeViaiPR_d06BtygVaAcDHcu_e7qlZXDkkZ5pei3X2yt2Tq7OGlIAPUtD9P10dQYrRIE74waxodFpGc0fgUKTo4ztaTdX_em-txd-VEExn9jy2OdE/s320/Schoolie+4%253A20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first fish of 2017 betrayed how well this spot would wind up fishing.</td></tr>
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It has been a long time since my last post here. I've been busy with family, work, and fly tying. That's one excuse. Another excuse is how miserable spring fishing was for me this season. The most likely excuse is that I just haven't felt the urge to write much. In any case, I wanted to document how this season has gone so far, if for no other reason than to have a causal record on which to look back.<br />
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I wanted to get out during the warm winter stretches, but something always ruined it. Come March, I was getting irritated and decided to ride it out until the spring runs started, when I would make up for lost time. My first trip, on April 20, to my favorite spring spot yielded one schoolie, which is better than most first trips to this place. Based on that, I figured I was in for a treat this season. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripers on nymphs</td></tr>
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How wrong I was! This river has been fishing worse and worse every spring. Not only didn't I see a sea run trout, but didn't hear of any caught or seen, either by anglers or state sampling crews. The striper run wasn't too great either. That schoolie was the biggest striper I caught there this season. There were a ton of dinky stripers around though. After a while, I decided to get goofy and tried to catch them on nymphs and a trout rod, which wound up working great. That was only fun for an afternoon or so. The best thing to happen to me all spring was driving off with my net on the car roof, <i>not</i> losing it, and having it crushed by an 18 wheeler (like I did last spring on the Naugatuck). I got to Target, did my shopping, then saw it on the roof of my car. That's about as lucky as I got there this season, so I think it is time to move on and find a spot with better spring prospects. I have one in mind, but will have to wait until next spring to see how it pans out. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BNiuT9CUWYv3A-msb_1MoB-cn82tNAJQQEfeJFE_NKgtlNcTqZA9qSeAUgvrbN7dLJEsYFA4ITsf_TtGogSgDggngV88DESg3gW3orNi6GN-v_Zu9b22PXhzYs0Xl4mOw50ClBJgpaA/s1600/Net+on+roof+at+Target.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BNiuT9CUWYv3A-msb_1MoB-cn82tNAJQQEfeJFE_NKgtlNcTqZA9qSeAUgvrbN7dLJEsYFA4ITsf_TtGogSgDggngV88DESg3gW3orNi6GN-v_Zu9b22PXhzYs0Xl4mOw50ClBJgpaA/s320/Net+on+roof+at+Target.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The highlight of my (former) favorite spring spot</td></tr>
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Fishing in the salt yielded similar results for me. Lots of tiny fish. I was always in the right place, but just a little too late. Rowan L. (<a href="http://flyfishingcts.blogspot.com/">CT Fly Angler</a>) had sympathy for me. While my spring river was fishing worse than ever, his was fishing better than ever. He took me out one night and the place was absolutely loaded with stripers. Finally, I was in the same place as some keeper-sized fish. I hooked two and lost them both!<br />
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American shad fishing was OK for me, but not nearly as good as it had been for me the past two seasons. I broke one of my favorite switch rods on my first shad of the season. It was a bonehead mistake on my part. Extreme frustration was beginning to kick in, so I decided to take a couple weeks off and regroup. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN7DBhGgv6TusFnGVyw_S1py0Mq_0iiZTkRVjmdlHz419Tnof3hiBUuHidqz_HcCALE8K6PoQwNyb1_8_e-GBQDzjvahldLMlpwNDQc5QSU396qU9aC_r32H1dCgmT2ro7APmwut16h4/s1600/Caribou+Bombers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN7DBhGgv6TusFnGVyw_S1py0Mq_0iiZTkRVjmdlHz419Tnof3hiBUuHidqz_HcCALE8K6PoQwNyb1_8_e-GBQDzjvahldLMlpwNDQc5QSU396qU9aC_r32H1dCgmT2ro7APmwut16h4/s320/Caribou+Bombers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An order of orange Caribou Bombers for trophy brook trout fishing in Labrador</td></tr>
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I had a late wave of salmon fly orders to tie, so my break was the perfect time to catch up. I am happy to hear that the flies have been doing their jobs. I love tying. I really enjoy it. But, after a couple weeks of hardcore tying sessions (and a new chair born out of necessity...ouch), I was ready to fish again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJ0vJFjlueDiyAgReZvWhz-tjLIXxredZgvxntuwsvdR1Z2QWylqGlaai7xxjAHIADEPp14jcPyoOFUngA5ySXjwdH2Q0TlRWWZONhmZnonEJz_fTEpk8lBzqYZy-hKdfjC-2g0AVU8/s1600/brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJ0vJFjlueDiyAgReZvWhz-tjLIXxredZgvxntuwsvdR1Z2QWylqGlaai7xxjAHIADEPp14jcPyoOFUngA5ySXjwdH2Q0TlRWWZONhmZnonEJz_fTEpk8lBzqYZy-hKdfjC-2g0AVU8/s320/brown.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wild, small stream brown that was one of my first of the season</td></tr>
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I figured I needed to change gears, so I dusted off the trout gear. My first solo trout trip of the season happened much later than normal for me. I think it was sometime in June. After teaching some drum lessons, I stopped by a small stream that has been good to me in the past, but that I had not fished in a few years. I was surprised that the water was as low as it was and it made me uneasy. Getting charged by a pit bull made me even more uneasy. Luckily, he just wanted to play. Thinking the pool was spooked, I flipped my caddis downstream. To my surprise, my first trout of the season was a 12" wild brown! Unfortunately, he didn't want his picture taken. There were way more downed trees than the last time I fished here, so that made fishing a little more challenging. I wound up having a really good evening and caught many more trout than I had expected. In years past, I would pull a brookie or two from this river, but it seems like there are fewer than ever in this section of stream. Maybe they move around, or maybe it has become too warm for them. I'm not sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj782p7DUMbKMd5sHU9rK9lWuRT23nVUwiXwUdQaHRdaZFC_ThGIeDzMCLgi7GK3zmHaUWchPcMzQomuRr74YehYEL6BDZwV9BsYHB526XjiqF6MmoxYFlAdvLZcfQx8xRVKfeVV99atz8/s1600/Farmington+Yellow+Drake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj782p7DUMbKMd5sHU9rK9lWuRT23nVUwiXwUdQaHRdaZFC_ThGIeDzMCLgi7GK3zmHaUWchPcMzQomuRr74YehYEL6BDZwV9BsYHB526XjiqF6MmoxYFlAdvLZcfQx8xRVKfeVV99atz8/s320/Farmington+Yellow+Drake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmington River Yellow Drake</td></tr>
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It was about time for my favorite evening hatches on the Farmington River, so I moved my operation over there. My first day on the Farmington was a sulfur bonanza, with several hour of consistent dry fly fishing. I stayed in one pool for about six hours. There was no incentive to move. My next trip, I decided to focus on the big bugs of summer, the Yellow Drakes. It was a successful trip, other than being warned by the police not to stay after sunset. I've fished this spot for years, mostly into the night, and this was the first time I've been warned. It was a successful trip, so I decided to push my luck...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwxDVeiB9u_zIEvKsZAkSfFHlhtmRf0774qBplVDTeSV0aQpqLiPNQlv37QX_b1BGZB8pvrv2FkfQ7YVXZRvLSgscJwMGZyj82t7HiWQRUOmmRYwXrr4CH3bb-jLFrOsLcGVqbJhGOIE/s1600/Yellow+Drake+Dries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwxDVeiB9u_zIEvKsZAkSfFHlhtmRf0774qBplVDTeSV0aQpqLiPNQlv37QX_b1BGZB8pvrv2FkfQ7YVXZRvLSgscJwMGZyj82t7HiWQRUOmmRYwXrr4CH3bb-jLFrOsLcGVqbJhGOIE/s320/Yellow+Drake+Dries.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big Cream Variant was the winner. </td></tr>
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I tied up some big flies for the Drake hatch and decided to go with a friend (who shall remain nameless in this case!). I asked him to drive in case we got caught. Since I never had a problem in the past, I thought it might have been a fluke. We fished, the hatch was pretty good, and I nailed one of the hardest fighting Farmington browns I've caught in a while. The fish was perfect and had no elastomer tags. He <i>freaked out </i>every time he saw the net. I suspect that trout might have been a wild fish. He absolutely nailed a sz. 10 Cream Variant, which is such a fun fly when it works. I was riding high until two police cars stopped us on the way out! Quickly, I stashed my hat and glasses under the seat. It worked, and we got off with a warning. Another friend wasn't so lucky and was actually ticketed.<br />
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I went back once more, but set my cell phone alarm to get me out before sunset. It was a rainy day and the fish were taking olives and I managed a few browns from a very fussy pool. The drakes hatched early and I hooked (and lost) one nice trout before I had to go. As I packed up, an officer drove by to make sure I was leaving. What a drag...that spot fishes best right before sunset and into the night. It's a shame it's now regularly patrolled and off-limits. Oh well, I'm happy to have done as well as I did there in my few trips. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7RggTQyKEiNtUL4Z2TIaz9PEBgy7GNC-cxC75Rvm1watpN8FQ8pPYZx6hD2zWTpH1KoL1lNlN60thtKBPiFTwzIhLdnTBGkUH0IrArv-NM0EuMUzzstvreiQ_e2CcVukTfOLOQHWC7Q/s1600/Farmington+Wild+Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7RggTQyKEiNtUL4Z2TIaz9PEBgy7GNC-cxC75Rvm1watpN8FQ8pPYZx6hD2zWTpH1KoL1lNlN60thtKBPiFTwzIhLdnTBGkUH0IrArv-NM0EuMUzzstvreiQ_e2CcVukTfOLOQHWC7Q/s320/Farmington+Wild+Rainbow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Farmington River rainbow trout</td></tr>
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A Farmington River first for me was the wild rainbow trout (pictured above). To my knowledge, it's only the second wild rainbow I've caught in Connecticut. Wouldn't it be great if there were a lot more of them...and bigger? It makes me wonder about some of the fish I have lost...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKrvMN93Fz1M3pOUqIHix8acmz6hBrBrGGEt1X-UTgTB1qNpCDmVzLYXohHWKWEV0sM-KgdiFmRFkaDblACN0EqxZLO9VthPUcy9FPRGwNf7XnZoCJRGASSbTOuUySmldU51lo-PX184/s1600/Second+carp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKrvMN93Fz1M3pOUqIHix8acmz6hBrBrGGEt1X-UTgTB1qNpCDmVzLYXohHWKWEV0sM-KgdiFmRFkaDblACN0EqxZLO9VthPUcy9FPRGwNf7XnZoCJRGASSbTOuUySmldU51lo-PX184/s320/Second+carp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally...a carp! Small, but I'll take it. </td></tr>
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The past couple of weeks, I have been focusing on carp fishing. Rowan L. was kind enough to show me the ropes. It took three trips and a couple of blown hook sets to land one, but I managed to land three on my third day. They were all small, but we have our sights set on something much larger...possibly the largest exclusively freshwater fish that swim in our state...But they are so difficult to hook....hopefully more on that later...<br />
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So, that's about it. Luckily, the summer has been going much better for me than the spring. With the rain and mild summer, I'm cautiously optimistic about good fall fishing this year. I will be doing more frequent posts than I have been and will be doing some prep work for the upcoming Connecticut salmon season, so check back often.<br />
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714338699999108574.post-38380944603028305892017-04-17T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-17T00:00:28.999-04:00My Best Guide Trip Yet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP_iamRjJ6NuLhQ5q3vqPhfPBXM6OSlWdG3SFW8k5sKHvNyB3PVu5B0G8UwmYc-_l4dEAVlQFlr4byaDngdH57WbPmiOnTsZtFB-whxdOfXqOfpdBOWhjlbM2XAiOi2DzLmp2vxZsZeg/s1600/Baby+fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP_iamRjJ6NuLhQ5q3vqPhfPBXM6OSlWdG3SFW8k5sKHvNyB3PVu5B0G8UwmYc-_l4dEAVlQFlr4byaDngdH57WbPmiOnTsZtFB-whxdOfXqOfpdBOWhjlbM2XAiOi2DzLmp2vxZsZeg/s320/Baby+fishing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M's first trip - 2013 (4 mos. old)</td></tr>
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A few months after my son, "M," was born, I was ready to get on the water. 2013 was a brutal winter and I had a pretty serious case of cabin fever. Even if it hadn't snowed so much, I just needed to get out of the house. Seeing how a newborn would be confined to his carrier, I figured a quick fishing trip might be possible. I timed it for the Quill Gordon hatch on a local river. <div>
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Things didn't go according to plan. As a baby, M demanded to be held and walked around almost all the time. It was exhausting. I thought he might be distracted enough by the sights and sounds of nature for me to catch a fish or two. I had only made a few casts before M cried. He didn't want to be in the carrier. He wanted to be held, just like at home. So much for my brilliant plan. </div>
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After the first trip, I decided to wait a bit before trying again. A few months later, a stroller trip to Connecticut's Salmon River ended pretty much the same way. After that, I decided to pull the plug on fishing with M in year one. In his second year, we made a couple successful trips to the Naugatuck, largely due to the novelty of a toddler carrier backpack. By the time M was old enough to run around, he had gotten sort of wild, that way little boys often do. He was too wild to bring fishing. It just wasn't enough action for him and it would have been dangerous to leave him on the bank. I fished on my own for the next two years. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzps4k6_GwQJRx6rF_8IhxVV_qWnyxTOiV8ZBsNMQhqF69CBg72qmqByJaaMKM9VJ315coQGRh7AnPRU6v9_q-bl18Cv_rK8owss-bXHjmkBeLKHk91V8xq2qkqco84bs0ED6jm8yW5pE/s1600/The+Apprentice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzps4k6_GwQJRx6rF_8IhxVV_qWnyxTOiV8ZBsNMQhqF69CBg72qmqByJaaMKM9VJ315coQGRh7AnPRU6v9_q-bl18Cv_rK8owss-bXHjmkBeLKHk91V8xq2qkqco84bs0ED6jm8yW5pE/s320/The+Apprentice.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The apprentice</td></tr>
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This winter, four year old M developed an interest in fly tying. I showed him some basics and he soon asked, "Where are all of <i>my</i> tools?" I laughed, but he didn't let me off the hook. I had to get him his own set of tools. I had enough of the basics at home, but we made a special trip to <a href="http://farmingtonriver.com/">UpCountry Sportfishing</a> to fill his box with tools and some bargain bin materials. It was still too cold to fish, but the seed had been planted...<div>
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...Fast forward to last Friday. The weather had been warm enough to make a local Quill Gordon hatch a possibility. I had a much needed day off and had planned on fishing alone that day. However, my plans change suddenly, as they often do. I called an audible and brought M back to the original river. We returned to the pool he last visited when he was four months old. I told M that I would do the casting and he would fight the fish, just like we had practiced in the basement two weeks prior (on the rod and reel he claimed were <i>his</i>). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg860TiIMcS7ByfWBph5S27nD7ZUGcn9wejLWRRBg7eoSqsrPWnf_JGqflSWXkX0jv1lwQwjdnr54qX_DRTudwlTr-te5fLebDP6T_-y1i1f9dwJSSchyphenhyphenf6LUareaKUi4SS0at9jfHbl4M/s1600/M%2527s+First+Fishing+Trip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg860TiIMcS7ByfWBph5S27nD7ZUGcn9wejLWRRBg7eoSqsrPWnf_JGqflSWXkX0jv1lwQwjdnr54qX_DRTudwlTr-te5fLebDP6T_-y1i1f9dwJSSchyphenhyphenf6LUareaKUi4SS0at9jfHbl4M/s320/M%2527s+First+Fishing+Trip1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish on!</td></tr>
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As expected, there was a Quill Gordon hatch, albeit a light one. We hooked up on a cripple pattern, but lost the brown trout early in the fight. The other trout didn't have much interest in a dry fly, but they nipped at a sz. 14 Hare's Ear wet fly. It seemed too small, so I switched to a larger wet fly, a sz. 10 Leading Coachman. <div>
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Bingo! It wasn't long before we hooked up in the tail of the pool. I handed the rod to M. He reeled the wrong way at first, but got it right after I offered some expert advice. It wasn't long before I netted M's first trout, a nice little brookie. Unfortunately, the fish slipped out of my hand when I tried to take its picture. Shortly after the excitement of landing his first trout, M dropped my 20-compartment dry fly box into the river. I fished it out of the current with the tip of my rod. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M's second trout</td></tr>
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After laying the fly box out to dry, we went back to it. It wasn't long before we hooked up again. After another urgent lesson in which direction to reel, M brought his second trout close, this time a little rainbow. After landing the first fish, M really wanted to net a fish himself. That wasn't going to happen, so I handed him the net with the rainbow in it. The fish kicked, startled M, and he dropped the net into the river. I jumped in after the net and the water went over my hip boots. Like my fly box, my right leg was totally soaked. It was a small price to pay for the memories. <div>
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We had to leave shortly thereafter, so we packed up and headed out. I took off my soaked socks and put on a pair of flip flops. After putting M in his car seat, I congratulated him on a job well done, catching two of the three species of local trout. He whined loudly, "But I wanted to catch a brown trout, too!" </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq33zh-kMIdxP0cmt69gfHz4QcX-Ds68C8S7ctFeadRYm4jNRVXJbsVyDE4C02MBZEqGieZliuPdTM9rqjPbjg5aWRnhZBtDV0T45aPuUyVmMG7MwLpTlERTuN6jJUTYAFNE1eyXRmvK4/s1600/M%2527s+First+Fishing+Trip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq33zh-kMIdxP0cmt69gfHz4QcX-Ds68C8S7ctFeadRYm4jNRVXJbsVyDE4C02MBZEqGieZliuPdTM9rqjPbjg5aWRnhZBtDV0T45aPuUyVmMG7MwLpTlERTuN6jJUTYAFNE1eyXRmvK4/s320/M%2527s+First+Fishing+Trip3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lucky fly, set aside for safe keeping</td></tr>
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Ben B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460803133919045917noreply@blogger.com11