keep a bend in it!

Hi Folks, Guided the Lamoille yesterday morning.  Fairly cool out there for this time of the year.  Nice, the cool weather is keeping the water temperatures in the high fifties to low sixties.  The Lamoille is still big and especially after Sunday's rain.  Water clarity is fine and the fish are there for the taking.  We dead drifted heavily weighted #10 olive wooly buggers and #12 tungsten black stonefly.  We had 9 fish on and missed a few.  We did not land a fish.  It is really imperative to trust the flex of your fly rod when a fish is hooked and keep constant pressure on the fish.  If the rod is not bent then pressure is not being applied.  The other thing I notice with aspiring fly anglers is that they want to put every fish on the reel.  Strip the line and keep pressure.  Lots of slack when attempting to put a fish on the reel.  I only use the reel if the fish puts me on it with a long run.  So, no hatching insects yesterday morning or rising fish.  River fishing should remain consistent with cool nights ahead.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy