First annual single fly post event update

In the month following the first annual single fly event held in Fall River Mills late June, many dedicated people have begun work on both an online auction and preparation for next year. This event would not have been possible without the tireless work and constant trouble shooting provided by Dianne Lund of Memento Events. Her work for over 9 months usually consisting of ten hour days and endless followup. Thank you Dianne for your dedication and energy. John Gay from Southern Corp donated wine that was highly coveted by all, thank you John. The great guys at Caltrout, Gary Seput and Brian Stranko have been wonderful in their optimism and guidance. The Volcano Rod Company and all the people who donated to the auction, thank you all very much. We all look forward to next year and another exciting event.

NIGHTMARES ON THE RIVER OF ENDLESS DREAMS

Nearing the end of my first three months electric motoring up and down the middle section of this 17 miles of wild trout sanctuary, a wooden net full of hard lessons and missed cues have begun to hone my skills. Have not sought the help of any local guide though many very good guides work this river, because I wanted to discover my own rules of the road. If one wants to continually take wild fish on this river of endless dreams, a steady work ethic is required. One must spend at least four or five hours a day moving and throwing different nymphs size 18/20. If you subscribe to the idea, these fish can only be taken on the fly by fishing downstream. You may be missing another sure fire age-old method that I have used to take several 16/22 inch trout on consecutive days in early July.

Who was that poet who said ” All things come to those who wait?” At 8am, morning of the 4th of July fooled a nice 19 inch big boy, fast photo followed, quick dance and he was gone, safe. A lovely way to spend my favorite holiday. If one looks carefully for eddies where channels and currents are merging, such as around bends or on big flats with converging waters. This area can be successfully fly fished on the Fall from early July forward, with a long 7x tippet five six feet and a #18/20 Pheasant, Tail or Prince Nymph or one of the new live soft hackle nymphs that are the rage. I shoot 60/70 feet straight across the main eddy or current and let it roll out for another few feet and then begin my return twitch, pause double twitch, pause and so on. I never use the same retrieval more than three times and then change up the cadence or the rhythm of the retrieval. This method is full proof if you want to spend your four hours looking in likely places when no rings or any surface action exists. One other necessary technique is long lining almost every cast, that is after throwing into the current or toward a series of surface rings. You then must continually let out line until your out at least two thirds of your fly line. The Idea is to gently pick up a bit of slack line and wait to see who may be home. After counting perhaps 10/15 seconds a series of short, long, changing pulls in the retrieve will every six to ten casts if all is perfect produce hits and takes. Of course the strength of all your knots, choice of nymphs, length of tippet, how well you detect both by sight and feel the first hit, will factor in? It takes much patience and getting into your zone, my zone can feel comfortable for about three or four hours every morning. Thinking of other natural zones, one of the many blessings found here in this biosphere are many babies of all kinds.

A NURSERY

A set of gorgeous fawns two weeks old or less has been hopping around in their smallness, six Cinnamon Teal ducklings newly hatched residents move like tiny almost windup ducks as I pass by their home in the morning. Two sets of six and eight Quail youngsters have been seen and not seen again. Quail youngsters are so tiny in the first few weeks, they appear to be little thumbs scurrying behind mom. Robins and a local contingent of owls have been screaming at each other late afternoon till sundown, must be owls looking for they’re young to vary the evening meal. The birds and ducks and geese are as abundant as they were early May. Fall River itself has warmed to the low 50s and the volume and depth seems about steady as she flows. Latest Fall River news is depth may be too high in upper reaches due to excessive weed growth. Local water tables are dangerous for many levies and the situation is being monitored by local water authorities working with resident farmers.

The river now in mid summer is alive with new birds and all the colors and sounds, endless summer breezes coming and going like the bird sounds Poet John Milton knew long, long ago . . .

” Sweet bird, that shunn!st the noise of folly,
Most musical, most melancholy ”

Poets through the ages have loved birds, none more than Shakespear in “ As You Like It “

Unto the sweet bird’s throat, Come hither, come hither, come hither: Here shall he see No enemy But winter and rough weather.”

Click Here for this month's story line of

“ ADVENTURES OF FLETCHER QUILL “

ILLUSTRATED BY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE CARTOONIST PHIL FRANK.