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.