Friday, May 20, 2016

the new ride

Hi Folks, Made the maiden journey with the new NRS drift boat yesterday afternoon.  Floated the Lamoille where water level was below the seasonal average and the temperature was 59 degrees.  Sunny afternoon with increasing clouds and thunderstorms that moved in during the prime time for rising fish.  The last hour of light we were greeted with an ominous looking storm.  I was very impressed with easily the boat handled and drifted effortlessly through some really skinny water.  We saw a number of insects yesterday afternoon from #14/#16 Hendrickson spinner, to a few #14 sulphurs at dusk, to #10/#12 March Browns during the day, to a few #14/#16 caddis, and even a large #12 midge.  The high light was the last part of the day with tons of egg laden may fly spinners during their mating dance over riffles.  They were all beginning to fall when the thunderstorms moved.  We did get one rising fish to eat a dry.  For most of the afternoon we cast olive bodied buggers and leech patterns. It was interesting how certain pools just showed no sign of life.  Lots of instability and sediment up and down the Lamoille.  A lot of dead water with a few stable pools for wild fish.  We did hook several wild fish in an isolated piece of water swinging a olive bugger with a #14 pheasant tail nymph.  It was a very enjoyable afternoon floating and a great way to see a variety of water types for fly fishing.  I am off to guide today for trout wading.  Should be good.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy