Fishing report, November 5th
Nov 8, 2021 8:04:38 GMT -6
Prosperflyfisher, Smallfry, and 5 more like this
Post by gumbobill on Nov 8, 2021 8:04:38 GMT -6
I was finally able to fish for the LMF for the 1st time in 3 years this past Friday. Due to health issues--hip surgery, back surgery, knee surgery, neuropathy that causes numbness in my legs, and a cancer diagnosis--I've been unable to get around well enough to fish. The thing I've missed most during all this was, by far, fly fishing. But a couple of friends baby-sat me from the parking lot to the Bluffs until I was able to get some sense of my footing so I was able to fish for about an hour or so.
We stopped by the fly shop to see what was working and picked up a half-dozen flies--Wooly buggers, RS2's, and black Copper Johns. Problem was, standing by his pickup rigging up, my hands were shaking so badly with anticipation and excitement at finally being on the river, I immediately dropped two of them and we couldn't find them. We got there Friday around 11 and pretty much had our choice of spots--either because it was approaching lunch hour or the crowds hadn't made it up yet. I got into a couple of fish right off the bat but, alas, I'd forgotten to buy new tippet and they broke off right when I got them to shore. But just being out in the beauty of place was so amazing. There was a Black Caddis hatch going on in the pool in front of the Bluffs--looked to be a size 20-24.
But the changes to the area all the way from Broken Bow to Hochatown and the surrounding areas was nothing short of amazing. By the time we headed back to town, around 2ish, the traffic heading towards the river was literally bumper to bumper. New construction is going on in every nook and cranny in the mountains--much of which appeared to be inaccessible if a little ice/snow or a heavy rain came through.
At any rate, the weather was beautiful. We had our choice of spots. Folks were friendly and many, seeing me struggle a bit with getting around, were kind and helpful and offered flies. And just the fact of knowing I can fish again has kept me floating on a cloud ever since. I'll head back up sooner rather than later, get me a guide, and fish again.
You'll recognize me--if not for my unsteady gait, then for the ear to ear smile on my face.
We stopped by the fly shop to see what was working and picked up a half-dozen flies--Wooly buggers, RS2's, and black Copper Johns. Problem was, standing by his pickup rigging up, my hands were shaking so badly with anticipation and excitement at finally being on the river, I immediately dropped two of them and we couldn't find them. We got there Friday around 11 and pretty much had our choice of spots--either because it was approaching lunch hour or the crowds hadn't made it up yet. I got into a couple of fish right off the bat but, alas, I'd forgotten to buy new tippet and they broke off right when I got them to shore. But just being out in the beauty of place was so amazing. There was a Black Caddis hatch going on in the pool in front of the Bluffs--looked to be a size 20-24.
But the changes to the area all the way from Broken Bow to Hochatown and the surrounding areas was nothing short of amazing. By the time we headed back to town, around 2ish, the traffic heading towards the river was literally bumper to bumper. New construction is going on in every nook and cranny in the mountains--much of which appeared to be inaccessible if a little ice/snow or a heavy rain came through.
At any rate, the weather was beautiful. We had our choice of spots. Folks were friendly and many, seeing me struggle a bit with getting around, were kind and helpful and offered flies. And just the fact of knowing I can fish again has kept me floating on a cloud ever since. I'll head back up sooner rather than later, get me a guide, and fish again.
You'll recognize me--if not for my unsteady gait, then for the ear to ear smile on my face.
