The plans were laid, the stars were aligned…I was all set to fish Friday, June 18th on Glenn’s trip to Montauk.  Then, on Monday evening, I got another offer–spend Friday with my daughter and her family, which of course included my grandsons.  That was an offer I couldn’t refuse.    

But now I had to quickly change gears if I wanted to fish this week.  No problem.  I cleared my calendar for Wednesday the 16th.  It was an impulse.

It was too short of notice to post a trip on the FATC calendar, and besides, I wanted to explore some seldom-fished water that didn’t lend itself to a group of guys.    

Hearing Montauk has been crowded lately, I headed for Baptist Camp.  I was the first car in the parking lot on that cool morning.  I walked up stream with my Euro rod to some water I hadn’t fished since last summer.  I probably walked half a mile scoping out likely trout-holding spots to fish on my way back.  I saw a good number of fish, but they were super spooky and sipping emergers (which, of course, I was not prepared to fish with my Euro rod).  

I put on a hare’s ear nymph which I thought might appeal to the fish taking emergers and a cerise worm jig that has worked well other summers.  Those flies were a good guess.  I started picking up fish on both.  It was a pretty even count between the two flies all day.  I netted 9-10 fish by the time I reached the parking lot for lunch, but only a couple browns.  The only picture-worthy brown fought his way to freedom before I could net him.  My afternoon production started slipping.  I was growing hot and tired, and started fishing for an untold number of monkeys that kept me busy retying.  I netted six fish from the parking lot to the trail out.  By 3:30 the heat was getting to me and I was done.  Not a bad day for following your impulse.  I nearly had the river to myself on a gorgeous summer day.  Next time you have the impulse—just go!