I had no choice but to buy a new fly rod, so I did. I bought a 10' 7 weight, Scott A3. The 10' 7 weight is considered the perfect steelhead rod. The A3 is a fine rod. I’m very happy with the purchase. It is a much better quality rod than my first fly rod. It casts like a dream. It’s very easy to cast and extremely accurate too. The extra foot makes long drifts and mending effortless. I took it out for a spin last weekend with no luck. I got out again today and really put the A3 to the test. It was a gorgeous sunny day. It was about 45 degrees or so, the warmest it’s been in a long, long time. I didn’t have to wear a coat or winter hat, just a light weight fleece. I fished a beautiful stretch of river that I had all to myself today. I spoke to a couple of anglers on there way out as I arrived; they had no luck. Not an encouraging sign, but I hit the river in good spirits anyhow. I fished a deep hole below a riffle right where the bottom dropped off. First I fished the seam nearest to me, then the fast water with no luck. I began to work the outer seem where the fast water merged with a large eddy near the far bank. Second drift through and I thought I snagged. I gave the line a tug and it tugged back! I had a fish on. This fish went nose down into the current; it felt like I was trying to drag an old boot off the bottom. I finally worked the fish in and got a few photos. This fish hit a small black stone fly. No surprise as the stonefly hatch was in full swing. The snow on the banks of the river looked peppered with little black stoneflies. After releasing the first fish, I began working the bucket below the drop off. Not three casts later bam, fish on! The second fish was real hot; it jumped and ran like a September fish! It put up a spectacular fight complete with aerial display. I felt like I was on fire. It was shaping up to be an excellent afternoon. I had about an hour left before I had to head back. With a couple of fish under my belt, I decided to swing a black marabou fly my friend tied up. I swung through a couple of runs with no luck so I decided to walk up river and explore a bit. I ran into a couple of anglers who looked to be father and son. One was swinging the other was drifting egg flies. Neither had any luck, I told them about where I caught my fish and sent them on their way. I walked a bit further and decided it was time to head back. Before I headed out, I took a couple pics of the scenery since it was such a beautiful day on the river. I noticed the first buds on some bushes… spring is coming. I really broke in the new rod today; it was a perfect day on the river.
Hot Fish!!!
Picture perfect day
