Another Grad in the Win Column:

Another fly-fishing trip and another graduate from the winter fly fishing class. I love getting guys on the water and watching them when they get that first trout on the fly rod. Mark Miles from the Winter class was graduating on this day and did a fantastic job. He does have fly fishing experience but learned a lot of new things that brought him many rainbow trout this day. Mark was joined by Ryan Young, Pete Drochelman, and of course me (Kenny).

As we do first in every class VI (the on the water class) Mark and I went to just below the boulder when we could cast and practice stripping flies, wet fly swing and dead drifting flies. Mark had a nice cast and had no problems getting the flies on target. He did get his first trout swinging the soft hackle. Albeit a “small” trout, it was a trout!! And he (unofficially) completed his graduation. But he would be rewarded later in the afternoon with some very nice trout.

At lunch we all discussed what was working and where were the fewest fly fishers in the park. Actually, I was surprised how empty the park was on this day. It was cloudy and cool in the morning (around 50 degrees) and the afternoon warmed up to the 60’s – Perfect conditions. The hot flies were the red midge, copper john (small size), perdigons, San Juan worm, and a new fly used on the river the Buckskin. The Buckskin is an easy fly to tie and used in Colorado with remarkable success.

In the afternoon Mark and I headed to the top of the park (the beginning of the Current River) and fished our way down river. We did mostly dead drifting small flies with success. Mark did very well and had some nice trout in the net. We finished where we started in the morning and stopped fishing to be at the car at 4:30pm. A successful day for all and everyone was eager to get back on another day. Mark voted for Mexican food (thank God it wasn’t Pizza Inn) and we ate in Salem. We did learn about a few “new” places to try to have fellowship dinner after fishing. So be prepared on our next trip to evaluate run a few new eating places.

Now is the time to get out and fish. Once mid-May rolls around the parks will be “crowded” and fishing would be more difficult to enjoy a crowd-free river. There are a lot of “graduation” trips happening in April – Join One!!