March

The last day of the pre-season is generally mid March in NJ. The day felt like leftover fall apples which had been crushed into the fields by the horses of winter.

The rain fell with a steady pelting all morning until 2pm when i reached the river. I was sure i would turn around, but the wind had relented for this one day after what seemed like weeks of unending venting of the past winter.

I thought what the hell, I'll "just take a look", stretch my legs, or....

Boots to the door & out to the stream.

The water level looked right and was reasonably in the very upper 30's low 40's. I wore my boot-foots and was happy to have slipped in & out so quickly. The rain was letting up and there seemed to be the old magic in the air. Cross the road, over the bridge, over the next bridge and down the trail to the stream. A quick line up, straighten a bit and add a small nymph (to small for March).

The first pool was freshly clean glass & even on this improving but still gray day it was transparent to the bottom. It is both a joy and unfortunate to see the best fish still tucked into the winter crouch of overhanging rock cavities. I could have walked up & high sticked them but choose to find a bolder somewhere and test out the behind the rock trick.

The cascades were as pretty as they ever are. The rock was pre season free of moss & the flow level about right for this sort of thing.

Upon the 1 st of the 3 likely spot i reached over and got hung up but then as they do the snag had life and pulled away. It was a good fish which i did not fully hook and knew it likely to get a away so i angled my rod toward the open water away from the subterranean scour. But he was gone. No matter i was fishing well and even more important outside and moving well!

2 week until opening day & HoHW i will be out there........