April 3 – Connetquot –
The weather is dicey and I think about going back to bed and then say “What the heck.” I look on the traffic channel and the roads are all good. I went fishing. Took beat 15 and worked from lower 16 to upper 14. Connetquot River State Park.
It’s a cool damp day. There are only a few guys on the river. One at 16, the others are downstream. I hit a few rainbows and brookies with an over palmered Green Woolly Bugger I tied up with extra weight. I fished it like Mike had suggested, bouncing it on the bottom like a jig. It worked. Had a nice one on at the hole by the dock on 15 – real good one. A few jumps and a run downstream, then he came back but turned into the bank. He eventually ran me into the brush and was off.
I tried a new nymph I tied
A gold ribbed hares ear with a fuzzy head and bead. It wasn’t heavy enough for the run I was on. Didn’t sink enough. Put on Mike’s Black Beauty. I want to catch a fish on it and send him the photo but it has yet to produce for me – not the fly’s fault you understand. I think I am being too careful with it as I don’t want to lose it.
I pick up two more brookies and head up to the top of 16 as the fellow has left. I hit a nice jumping rainbow, real fighter with the Bugger and we played for a little bit, then off – good release. I snagged, unintentionally, a very big rainbow – 20 incher. Unhooked her in the water.
Now I see fish rising
In the foam that always forms in the center of the whirlpool. I take off the Bugger and put on a Joe-Stack. I flip it into the foam and get a fish on the first cast, decent brookie. I cast again, and then again. Nice brookies. 2 more like that and the fly is a mess and sinking. I try to dry it (it is time to go) and flip it again. It sinks and I have a fish on. Then again. Amazing. (I know they are podded up and recent hatchery put in’s, but still, the Joe-Stack rules!)
On my way out I check with Hunter about fishing tomorrow. We are set for the Nissequogue at Caleb Smith, 10:30 – 3:30, beats 6 & 7. It will be good and cold but no rain. Time with my Grandson, what could be better?
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