It was the Best of Times

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....Today I had a few hours away from the utter insanity of this past week, let's just say I have had much better.  So with the wife off shopping and a few hours before the rain hits, I decided to run off to my favorite river to try my luck and decompress a bit.  I decided to fish a section I have never tried and the water was without a doubt the lowest I have ever seen it.  So I tied on my trusty multipurpose nymph and headed out to the first set of riffles and pools.  After about an hour of probing I finally caught the smallest brookie I had ever seen, had to been a native.

I worked my way downstream to fish two very promising looking pools that I had seen from above.  First pool yielded zip!  I waded down to the next and final pool of the day.  After about a dozen casts I saw a few fish breaking water, then it was like a scene out of Jaws (queue music) I saw this brown fin breaking water and heading up the seam toward my indicator!  Next thing I know, WHAM, a brookie tries to eat the damn indicator.  I then start looking around and I see lots of small to medium size bugs hatching in the pool.  I could not make out what they were but I figured the fish wanted surface food.  I tied on an Adams #12 and cast to the edge of the pool.  Well that did the trick.  I started catching the nicest brookies I have seen in a very long time at the rate of one every two-three casts. In all I landed over twenty in less than an hour.  (see attached photo)

Well I get a short hit and as I try to set the hook I whip the line back and get a knot.  I pull the line in and tuck my pole under my arm and start working on the small loop that formed.  It was then I notice a tug under my arm, I looked up in time to see my rod separate and the lower half with reel start to float downstream.  I pull in on the line but the current is strong enough to pull the line off the reel.  I see the butt end is just a few steps away so I go after it.  About three steps in I hit the edge of a very steep, very deep pool.  I immediately go under and my waders fill with water, I am now an anchor in a fast moving current.  I manage to get my feet downstream and find the other edge of the pool and pull myself free of the current.  I still have my rod tip and line in hand!  I try to retrieve my lost pole but it is wedged at the bottom of the pool.

Well after several misguided attempts I decide to tie on an indicator and cut the line at the backing.  I may have better luck someday when the weather is warmer and I have someone on hand to back me up on my swim.  So if you want to have an adventure with me to retrieve my favortie 3wt just drop me a line.  Right now I am drying out by the fire and enjoying a good beer, happy to be alive with a story to share.