We had watched these fish feed for the past five years. They were inaccessible, or so we thought. The river makes a huge turn and basically widens into a small pond. The water is deep and wading is not an option. Over the years we have made feeble attempts to present a fly to them from shore, all unsuccessful. With no room to make a back-cast and fish sipping bugs a fly lines length away, we always left the giant pool scratching our heads. We discussed these particular fish a few months ago and decided we would bite the bullet and strap the canoe on. I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of dealing with any kind of vessel while fly fishing or the annoyances that go along with it. Driving two vehicles, worrying if it’s going to fly of the truck, portages, missing the take out etc…but this was one of those situations where I thought the benefits would outweigh the effort. We paddled up on the giant bend and sure enough, they were in the same current seem they have been feeding in for decades. For the first time we were actually in a position to present a fly to them and it felt good! Caddis were coming of every so often but just a smattering, nothing major. I tied on the size 14 elk hair, the anticipation was tremendous. There were at least half a dozen fish working consistently. Naturally I picked out the one that looked to be the largest and let it fly. A few drifts later and he slurped the fly of the surface delicately. We covered about eight miles of river on the float, catching trout along the way. However, none were as gratifying as the ones that were just out of reach for so long.
nice brown whip … big for that river and wild too. you and kranefly really do some cool trips … between the steelheading and giant browns of great lakes within minutes of your house, fingerlakes tribs, king salmon, coho’s, delware river and the catskills …. i’d say you guys live in a trout/salmon/steelhead paradise … pretty tough to beat really .. and you and kranes make the most of it .. always fun to see the both of you doing new things on all of these waters as the years pass … funny how adding one little element to any equation (in this case the canoe) changes the game entirely and opens up a whole new world on a trip that might have just been the “same-old, same-old” … that’s what i am into these days .. changing things up and breaking out of the routines .. new water, new methods, new fish etc… keeps it fun and fresh … as always, great read and beautiful fish …
Sweet brownie whip. Boats can be a pain but sometimes it is the answer. Good to see you and Kranes out there crushing hungry trout. Harass a few for me.
That was an interesting read since I am pondering about the same problem.
In a couple of months time I will be heading to Florida for a vacation and down there a boat improves your chances of running into fish big time.
The sight of feeding frenzies just off the beach always make me crazy.
It seems that these fish always stay just out of casting range.
So now I am pondering if I should just spend some money on an inflatable kayak
and ship it to the hotel I will be staying in.
Hi Marcel,
Happy to know you’re visiting Naples again. I think that spending money on several guided trips would be much more satisfying than buying and shipping an inflatable kayak.
Marshall
Hi Dave,
Great story. I can relate to trying to reach the unreachables…to catch the uncatchables! Here on the Kennebec, I have spent several foggy mornings wading to my armpits, casting and long-line-drifting to hogs who are way down the pool. I know I can reach them in the driftboat, but I’m always with clients and they….sadly, either put them down, don’t see them, line them, pile-cast them…you know how it is.
Are you coming to Maine this summer?
That looks like victory to me! Nice job whip
It crossed my mind Marsh, a trip to the backwater canals of Miami or with Kevin Michailoff would also be very interesting.
Hey dave…what a beautiful brown trout. The water crafts are always a problem but in your case it was certainly worth it. Really looking forward to steelheading with you this year.
Austin
Nice Brown whip, I would sure like to get back out there and chase those evasive Browns with you. Fishing with you is always a good time and you always seem to know where the big ones are. See you soon.
It is so hard to watch those trout feed just out of range. I think of the thousands of casts we would attempt to put over them, only to watch them slide over a few feet. That trip was very gratifying in so many ways…AND it was pretty sweet to just sit and float without having to navigate those slippery ankle busters we always lament about.
PS Where’s the Kudos to the guy steering the back end getting you in perfect casting position, ha ha.