Still time to make some memories

Our fall weather has definitely arrived and the rain gauge has been quite busy as of late. Whereas a few weeks ago, I was hoping for rain to cool warming stream temperatures, I am now wishing it would stop. Our larger rivers are back to being a bit challenging from a wading stand-point  (a simple way of saying be careful out there) and our smaller streams are inching their way up to the point where they should start fishing well again.

I began the week rowing Pete and Bob around in search of northern pike. It was a windy day and a challenge for both oarsman and angler. Fortunately both were up to the task and we had plenty of action from feisty pike willing to hammer a fly. Both Pete and Bob also landed a smallmouth, an exciting addition any time one eats. Pete and Bob visited me in July for some trout fishing and it was a joy to spend more time with them as I enjoy their fishing knowledge and sense of humor.

This weekend I was visited by Dean and Eileen. Dean is yet another of the fine Trout Unlimited volunteers who ventured north this summer. We began the day in search of brook trout which were, admittedly hard to come by recently. Nonetheless, both caught fish. I was quite impressed by Eileen’s casting, mending and overall fly fishing skills. While still a young angler by many standards, she learns quickly and has skills I didn’t learn until I was much older than she. This was especially evident in the afternoon when we shifted gears and jumped into the drift boat. Despite having never held a 6-weight rod, thrown a sinking line nor casted a pike-sized streamer, she performed admirably in windy conditions and boated her first northern pike. I didn’t get a chance to fish with her father Dean in the morning (as he asked me to fish with Eileen), but I quickly realized the apple had not fallen too far from the tree. Dean’s casting prowess brought multiple grabs and a number fish to the boat. Bald eagles nearby and a few crimson maples added to the experience, one I will remember for a long time.

This is the last month of the regular trout season, so get out there and enjoy the fall while there's still time to make some memories of your own.