January Daze

I planed to follow the "55" to its source, despite it being one of the most polluted rivers in one of the most polluted states in the US. The further up river i traveled the nicer the water, until i came to the headwaters where the 55 became a wild trout stream. I parked the car and crossed the obvious branch of the river (which gets pounded b/c everyone fishes it), I crossed a large field to a wooded trail which lead me to the waters edge where i rigged up. The headwaters were as most are, more a creek than a river it ran gin clear with what had to be truly wild (although not native) fish. This was the warmest January on record and i set up with a simulator and a hare's ear dropper. The stimulator was for me and the dropper for the fish. It has taken me more than 2 years to get this rig correct, including the rhythm and cast. Just keeping them from twisting and knotting is half the battle before you ever get to really fish it.

The first promising pool told me what to expect of the day - small rainbows (up to 7" most still showed their Parr marks). The fish were wild and bread naturally in the many redds that were clearly visible in the shallow water. Although the fish were small they were willing as most thin water fish would be. A warm January day is a good time to be astream, it is long after the leaves have precipitated to the ground and the day was not windy enough to kick up the fallen ones back into the water. The float lines were barely visible due to the low water. Having spent over 300 days (total)astream in the last few years I was able to pick the finest of lines and by the time i had reached the pocket water my casts were solid and i was having a fine day.

Typically in the winter you fish the pools slow & deep, but i always feel the need to try every likely place (including drains and ditches along the road). After about several hours and 2 miles in i hit a riffle that looked too shallow, but it was just below a bug factory that looked right and so i tested the tail, with positive results and another small bow. There was a good rock in mid riff and under the bank overhand which yielded the second best fish of the day, an 8" + which played and swam the length of the pool (this usually spoils the rest of the pool) But as the day was running hot i figured to test the tongue and sure enough the best fish of the day was gathering up nymphs from the lip. He only ran about 9" but this was a mature fish w/ no Parr markings, a bright red stripe and a dark spotted tail, he belonged. I released him knowing this was the fish of the day and she would spawn in the spring.

I walked a few more miles but didn't really fish much, although i did put forth a half hearted effort at the falls. I've never really learned how to fish water at the base of the falls, but it gives me something to look forward to in my next 300 days astream. I sat down and lit a cigar to enjoy one of the best January day i have even seen. Despite what you read

My friends - "These are the good ol' days".