Fond Memories

Wissahickon Update etc.

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:02:38 -0400

Reader Tom sent me this pic of a chunky Wissahickon trout. Apparently there are plenty of fish still in there, and just loving the Pheasant Tail nymphs!
Now if I could grab some time to get down there......
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My friend Phil was banging them pretty hard on Ridley creek....

Next weekend is a trip to Rickets Glen State Park for some relaxation, exploration and fishing.

I have been spending some time trying to come up with the ultimate inexpensive fishing vacation. Some thoughts were:
Alaska, camping and fishing, no guide, no lodge. Just roughing it.
Rent an RV and travel for a week hitting famous trout waters in the Northeast.
Pack up tents and head out to the nation’s best state parks....camp for a nominal fee, and take in all the fishing you can.

Anyone have thoughts on the ultimate inexpensive vacation?

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Spring Orvis Days

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:28:32 -0400

Orvis is having a spring event this weekend! Free food, live music, Valley Forge Trout Unlimited, Main Line Fly Tyers and more.
Above are Chris McGeehan, standing Vice President, and George Kawchak, a founding member, of the Main Line Fly Tyers. A couple of very nice guys who gave me some solid fishing and tying advice.

Here is a link to the Orvis Plymouth Meeting store site:
http://www.orvis.com/plymouthmeeting

Main line Fly Tyers:
http://www.mainlineflytyers.net/

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited:
http://www.valleyforgetu.org/

Everybody needs a good ass kicking...

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:01:06 -0400

In life, I tend to believe that once in a while everyone needs a good ass kicking. Why?
It means that you are pushing your limits. It means that maybe you weren’t as good as you thought you were, and need to try harder. It is a means to keep your ego in check.
Recently Ridley creek kicked my ass. Not the hardcore make me feel like a pre-schooler at fly fishing like Valley Creek can do, but a good solid smack down. Lots of rising fish, at least 5 solid takes of my fly, not one trout hooked. Yeah.
This story from “This is Fly” made me nod my head in knowing how the long ride home can feel:
http://www.thisisfly.com/issue34_5.html?startPage=999&

“Learn to find the Thalweg.”

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:03:27 -0400

“Stream ecologists and hydrologists use the term ‘thalweg’ to describe the deepest part of the channel that runs through a pool, which usually hosts the fastest current and carries the most debris- and food. Anglers call this the ‘bubble line’ because you can trace its passage as it winds through a pool by the line of bubbles or foam that betrays its progress. Because most small streams have relatively slow currents compared to bigger rivers, and their food supply is also sparse, finding this line in one of the most important tools in learning to read the water.”
From the Orvis Guide to Small Stream Fishing, Tom Rosenbauer, 2011.

I got blanked recently, on a small stream. Skunked. Crushed. Ego Shattered. My buddy Phil, caught 3 beautiful trout, including one that could have won an award for high jumping. Of course I want to blame it on the fact that I was out of 7x tippet, and we were using the same flies, same area, but he had 7x and I had 6x. Yep. The fish, in this fly fish only stream section, are that wary.
Well, I keep telling myself that.....

As we become more deeply immersed in the fishing season, I am looking to sharpen those skills. I came across this book. As I read thru it I realized this book is chock full of great stuff I didn’t know......like what the hell a Thalweg is.

It also made me want to start finding more small streams, that aren’t so heavily pressured.....

Check it out.

Corn, Carnage and Trash

Sun, 8 Apr 2012 07:09:11 -0400

Last weekend marked the official opening of trout fishing in Philadelphia. As a practice I really don’t fish much on opening day, if at all. There are too many people, and for some reason that I haven’t figured out, it just kind of makes me sick.
I think it is the takers. The people who come to fish, catch their limit, leave trash, leave a mess and contribute nothing but their $26.50 for a license. Thankfully, there are more than just takers on the water.
After the thrill of opening day wears off, the number of fisherman declines pretty significantly in my area. When you go to fish, there is generally a left over collection of trash, litter and waste.
As I was walking on the main path, 2 women approached me. They said “Hi, we do a lot of cleanups here in the park, and sometimes we cant reach plastic bags and things that are stuck in the water. Do you think the fisherman would mind if we asked them to help out?” “You guys have waders, and you could reach the trash.”
I thought that was a great idea.

I talked to the man who had this beautiful bounty on a stringer. It was his first time fishing. Ever. “What did you use for bait?” I asked.
“Corn.” He replied.
“What are you going to do with them?”
“Take them home.”
“Do you know how to cook them?”
“No.”
I gave him a quick rundown of how to cook fish on a grill, with and without foil.

Friends of the Wissachickon has “Trail Ambassadors” who help keep the park clean, clear trails, and provide information and resources to park visitors.  Maybe we all need to be “Fishing Ambassadors” wherever we go. Pack out more than you packed in. Help out new fisherman. Leave it cleaner than you found it. Leave some for the next guy.

Family Fishing Adventures

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:12:42 -0400

As we approach opening day of trout season, I start talking people about fishing and taking their kids fishing. Recently a few people have told me they wanted to take their kids fishing for the first time, but didn’t know how to fish themselves and didn’t know where to take their kids.
Well, you are in luck! I have a few tips to help you out in the pursuit of angling adventures:
1. Make it fun! Family fishing is about the kids and the adventure of being outdoors. My son completely and totally enjoys the “ceremony” leading up to the fishing as much, if not more, than the fishing itself!
The night before we put out our fishing gear, rods, clothing and tackle box. (he’s not quite ready for fly fishing yet) We gather up snacks, then organize everything. Don’t forget the first aid kit, sunblock, sanitizer and plenty of water.
The fishing morning ritual: we pack up all of our gear in the car, then head out to Wawa (our AMAZING local convenience store chain) to pick up coffee for Dad, hot chocolate for him, and some hot yummy breakfast sandwiches. Don’t forget bait! Generally Night Crawlers, or minnows work best, and the kids love to play with them.

1. If you know someone who fishes, invite them along to help you out.
Hopefully they have children too, and it can be a combined play date. They can help you learn about fishing, and your kids will have fun too. Last year I took a friend of mine and his son out, and I did all the hook rigging, bobbers, weights, and fish removal. It was a blast!

1. Do a little research on family fishing. Here is a family fishing site:
http://goo.gl/GRc3x

1. Find a nice local fishing spot that will be easy on everyone. Whenever I
am taking the kids fishing ideally I want a spot with parking, easy access to the fishing, and preferably a bathroom nearby. One of my favorite local spots is called Cisco pond. It is in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, PA. The pond was designed for kids, and is stocked every year before opening day of trout season.
http://www.springfieldmontco.org/index.asp?pageId=45

Happy Fishing with the kids!

Urban Fishing Tactics Mini-Series

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 07:40:25 -0400

Urban Fly Fishing can present unique challenges to the angler that can be found in no other environment. There is a serious difference between fishing in the middle of a preserve and fishing next to a highway, or in an urban park.
These tips are for the angler to catch fish, survive and be safe during an urban fishing trip.
Some of these are very serious, and some, not so serious…..but still very important!

1. Know your surroundings: Anytime you are going fishing you have to know your surroundings. In this case, know the urban area you are going to. If you are fishing in Philadelphia, know how to get into the area, out of the area, and things around the area. This means investing some time looking at some maps, and doing some investigating.

1. Scout your target area: Don’t just show up and start fishing. If you are fishing an area in the city, or close to the city, drive around and scout it out. You don’t want to pick a spot, start fishing it, work it upstream and end up in the middle of the hood. I have fished my local park in Philadelphia and found myself in the middle of a graffiti covered barbecue filled gangland. It was in a secluded area of the park! There were literally gang members guarding the area. If I had done a little more scouting ahead of time, I would have seen that whole area from afar….but no, I just went fishing and ended up being stuck walking thru the “badlands” of my park. Yeah, it’s a big park, in the city.

1. Check your cell signal in the areas you will be fishing. If you can, pack an extra battery in a sandwich bag in your vest. You don’t want to be in a dead zone. Buildings, rock formations, and valleys can sometimes block cell signals, and you will be fishing at a level below the buildings, so know ahead of time if you will have signal.

Today I learned that Fly Fishing is a joke

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:44:20 -0400

Check out this video masterpiece. No, I didn’t create it and I never met the man that did.....but I do think that he really captured a glimpse into the essence of Fly Fishing....
http://vimeo.com/21580651

Spring Fishing at LLBean and more...

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:41:50 -0400

This weekend at the LL Bean King of Prussia store they are having a “Spring Fishing Weekend.” The store is offering clinics, a fashion show and selected discounts. Sounds like it might be worth stopping by to check out the new gear.....the new fishing vest is sweet.

On Sunday, The Sporting Gentleman in Media is offering gear tune up advice by appointment.

Finally, sadness......as I was organizing my gear bag, I grabbed my Winston Passport from the trunk. I had just used it last week. After fishing, the top 2 pieces wouldn’t come apart, so I left them in the trunk and put the bottom 2 pieces in the rod tube.
I finally got them apart...only to realize that the tip had been sheared off somehow....aggghhhh!!!!! My new Winston Passport rod!!!!! REALLY???
It was fished less than 10 times!!!!
So, I checked my Orvis T3 rod, to make sure it was ok. What do you think? The reel seat was separating from the rod. AGGHHH!!!!

My top 2 “Go To” rods. Toast. Both went back to their respective companies. I hope this isn’t a sign of the upcoming fishing season.....if it is, I am screwed.

2012 Fishing is on!

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 21:02:42 -0500

Philadelphia was beautiful today!!! The weather was sunny in the high 50’s, which for us in March is fantastic. My buddy Phil and I headed out to Valley Creek to try and shake off the cobwebs and catch some trout.

The creek was perfect. Nice flow, crisp, clear, and holding fish......but I think those fish must have all eaten breakfast before we got there....or something like that.

Really, the way it went was this: I had 4 layers of clothing above the waist, 3 layers below, and 1 pair of tube socks. Bad choice with the toob socks, good choice the other places.

Geared up outside the car around 7:20 am.
Hooked up the Winston Passport rod. Sweet rod, but no alignment dots. That can be annoying. Put on the reel, run the line thru, put on a leader, fly and strike indicator.
Hike down to our spot, I go to cast, realize that my reel is on backwards. Duh. Try to flip it around, but now the line isn’t feeding properly. Whatever, I decide to ride it out for a bit. See what happens.

I go to cast. The line doesn’t shoot. What? I check the line.....and I missed one of the guides when I fed it thru. Really?

Ok. I cut the fly off, start over with everything, standing in the stream with my tube sock insulation inside my new LL Bean boots.

Toes are getting numb. Why did I quit smoking last year? I need coffee.
Tie on a new fly, and move to a new spot because I figure all this standing around has just got to scare fish. Are my toes turning blue?

Move to a great spot, in fact one of my favorite spots.....I look around for low lying branches. None. Phil spots a fish and I start to cast.

Back, then forward. And the fly stops behind me as it gets stuck in the only low branch. Yes, the only one. I did see it before, but didn’t really think I could get stuck in it.

Break the fly off. Tie a new one on. (At this point I want to tie one on.)
Cast back, then forward. Dead stop again. What?
Same branch.

Really?
Yep. Another fly gone.

New fly, move down a bit. Cast....ahhhh. Nice. Air it out a bit.....get a little rust off.

Cast back, then forward....then what? Stuck in the branch above me. Ok. Lose another fly. Then 2 more times, but I got the fly back.
I have the cuts on my hand from trying to climb the tree, but I got my fly.

I spent 21 years in school. Really. It took me that long to get a doctorate. But yet, being a moron doesn’t escape me sometimes.....

Finally I hooked into a nice trout.....fought him for about 30 seconds....and he spit the hook at me from 5 feet. Nice.

Lucky I had to go to work or I might have really hurt myself today.

Can’t wait until next time!!!!!