Decisions, Decisions, Decisions #56

We have to make decisions each and every day. Some decisions are minor and some require more thought and additional time. Many can be life altering and some are just simple and easy to decide.

Then there is a fisherman’s day where there are a number of very important decisions you have to make. Many will set the stage for how successful you will be that day. Let’s take a look at a few of them. First, there is the big one. Where are we going to go fishing? That decision requires some thought and a great deal of luck. Your decision will undoubtedly determine how successful you will be. Then, once that decision is made, you have to determine what rod to bring, what clothing you pack and what you are going to bring to eat. And it is always a good idea to keep your survival kit handy for those unexpected emergencies. Oh, and what canoe will you need. Some ponds are made for shorter canoes and some require longer ones. So it is important about deciding on the place you are going because then the canoe decision will fall in line. Now, there are times when the best laid plans have a glitch in them. That requires swift thinking and action to plug any holes that may occur, no pun intended.

Take for example our most recent trip. TC and I made a decision that we were going to drive to one of our favorite ponds this past Saturday morning. We got up, saw the weather report but decided to go anyway. We drove two hours to the pond, only to find that we were not the first people there. No, indeed, there were two vehicles parked at the camp site where you put your canoe in. Now, this is always challenging in that you have a decision to make about do we stay, or do we find somewhere else to fish? Often times, people don’t take kindly to you fishing on the pond if they got there first. However, seeing that the pond had plenty of room, we decided to unpack and give it a whirl. I did walk down to the campsite before we took our canoe off and the sports were tying on a line. I tried to make conversation, but there was little return on their end. We let them get on the water and then we unloaded the canoe, put our things in it and shoved off. As we were unpacking, I noticed that I had made my first mistake. I had brought the wrong pole for TC. I had intended to bring her Winston rod, which she had requested, but instead, I had brought the new IM-12 graphite rod we had bought at the sportsman’s show from T&T Company. No problem, it was going to be a good day to try it out so off we went. We could see the other two boats on the pond and there seemed to be very little action on their part. I had tied my special fly on my line and TC was using a green drake. It wasn’t long before I had a nice fish that grabbed the fly and gave me quite a fight. Eventually, I landed him and we made the decision that we would keep it. TC was not doing so well, so she tied on a variant of the fly I was using. The body was yellow and not green like mine. It was at that time that the fun began. TC hooked a few fish that we decided to put back, but the thing that caught my eye was that she was throwing her line out farther than she had ever done before, and with ease. The pole she was using was really working well for her and it was nice to see her shoot her line well beyond where she had never gone before. I know, it sounds a little like Star Trek.  At about 12:30, we decided to take a break and paddle to shore where we could have a bite. The group on the water followed us in and pulled out their food to eat. Again, I tried to make conversation, but there was little there, so I did ask how they had done and they said they had caught a couple. They never returned to the water, instead choosing to leave. We, on the other hand got back in the canoe and went out for round two. During the afternoon, we were treated to times when the fish would put on a show. They would jump and then the winds would come and they would stop. After the winds died down, they would jump again. TC just kept catching fish. In total, I netted nine of hers and she netted 5 of mine. We also never changed flies again. The ones we tied on worked very well once they dropped below the water. Around four PM, we saw some dark clouds moving in and the wind came up so we decided to call it a day. We came off the water with three nice trout and a very good day of fishing. Looking back on our day, I reflected on the decisions we had made. The pond was the right choice. The canoe was the right choice given the wind and the flies were the right choice. Even when I messed up the rod for TC, it was the right choice. Your decisions don’t always come out right, but this day they did. Now, it is time to start thinking about where we go next weekend. The cycle starts over and hopefully the choices we make will be as good as this trip. Time will tell.

TC and I enrolled in a program that will help the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist keep track of our fish population. Once we enrolled, they sent us a booklet and asked us to keep track of where we fished, how many fish we caught each trip and the species as well as any markings on them. At the end of the season, they will collect the data. We feel it is important to help them in any way we can.

Also, I got a photo from some friends who were on a fishing excursion of their own. I added that photo to this blog. Good job Dale!

And Away We Go!  #55

  

I recall last November when I put the gun in the case and the hunting clothes away, being saddened because I knew winter was coming and my fishing and hunting seasons had come to a close for 2013.  I held on to the notion that it would soon come again and I would be back out there doing what I loved. Winter hung on and it seemed that I would never be able to get my fly rods out and get back into the North Maine Woods. But I knew that the time would come and eventually, the snow would go and the woods would be calling me again.

Finally, May came and on the 17^th, I was able to load the truck up and head to the woods. I was a bit concerned about what I would find and what if any snow would be left, but I ventured in anyway. As I entered the woods, I came to the six mile checkpoint for the first time in 2014. I was pleased to see Ed manning the checkpoint and my first order of business was to get TC and my season passes. Once that was completed, I was off. I told Ed that I was going to try to find a nice stream and that all I wanted was a chance to float my fly. I didn’t really care if I caught a fish or not. Once I left the gate, I decided that I would make my way to the Mooselook stream area where it intersected with the Pinkham Rd. I had enjoyed the rips there by the bridge on numerous occasions and that seemed like a good place to start. Once I was there, I parked along the road and immediately, noticed that the water level was not that bad. I put my neoprene waders on, added my fishing vest and off I went. I found my way down the hill and into the fast moving water. I had made a decision that today I was going to use my Grey’s 3 weight 7 foot rod. If you have never caught a fish on a 3 weight, you are really missing something. My friend Matt turned me on to this and it is really fun. After a while, I decided that I would continue down the road and try another area. I decided that my next stop would be Smith Brook. When I arrived, I noticed that there was plenty of water to wade in and again, I put myself together and into the brook I went. This time, I brought my camera and made a little video of the peacefulness and serenity that surrounds you while you are fishing. After playing with some fish, I decided to continue on and this time I chose to head over to the Mooselook Dam area. I had a lot of great memories of that area because both TC and my youngest son had fished there in the past and both had had good luck.

When I got there, the water looked good and was not too high. I got my 3 weight prepped and into the rapids I waded.  It wasn’t long before I got a tug on my line and as I looked toward my fly, I noticed that a nice fish had rolled over it. I watched as the fin came all the way out of the water. When I saw it, I said to myself, wow that is a nice trout. I pulled the line up and cast it back to where that fish rose in the rips. As the fly hit the water, the fish jumped all over it. With that 3 weight in my hand, I got what I had wished for, a good fight. The trout would come close, and then would find the strength to pull that line off into the rips again. We did that three or four times and I finally noticed that it had had enough. I pulled my net off my back and scooped the fish up. It was a beauty. I had made a decision while on my way in, that all fish today would get put back and that is what I did. I gave it a glance and put it back making sure that I gently moved it back and forth in the water. As quickly as it came in, it was gone. I continued fishing for about an hour and during that time, I caught four more nice trout. Each time, being careful to land them so I could put them right back, unharmed. After catching the fifth one, it began to rain and it poured. I decided that it was time to go and that the day had been a complete success. When I left home, I had decided that I did not care if I caught any fish, I just wanted to get into the woods. The fact that I caught five nice trout, was a bonus and the highlight of my day. As I drove out and came to the checkpoint, Ed greeted me and I handed him my day pass slip. I told him about my adventure and the fish I caught and then I headed home. It was a great start to the 2014 fishing season, one that I had not dreamed of, but I would take it. I had waited a long time and it was worth the wait. Now, I have the whole summer and fall in front of me. Let’s see, how I can top this ?

While I was traveling, I saw three rabbits, two that were still in the process of changing color from white to brown, and two road runners. One of the road runners pictures is posted below. The fact that I saw them is a real good sign for the fall.