It was a busy week at the WBT last week. On Monday, Bob Volkmar (AKA "The Trout Whisperer"), on an extended trip to PA, visited for a couple of days of WBT hospitality. The weather was absolutely perfect; sunny skies and temps in the mid-60s to low 70s all week. Very uncharacertistic for late October. But then, given it could've been in the 30s with snow, I'll take it.
Along with fellow angler and neighbor Frank Weeks, we tried the Upper Allegheny delayed harvest section Monday afternoon. Water was extremely skinny, and few fish moved. While Frank and I got skunked, Bob picked up a couple of small wild Browns at the "Beaver Complex."
Since we had a full day of fishing available the next day, we decided to head to Kettle Creek, about an hour south of the WBT, in the hopes of finding some decent holding water. Kettle is one of Pennsylvania's iconic freestone streams. Known for its Green Drake hatches in the spring, the stream boasts an extensive catch-and-release fly-fishing only section. More improtantly, it holds trout ... a lot of trout.
We parked at the bridge near the lower section of the C&R section around 11:00. Water was low, but fish were rising under and upstream of the bridge parking lot. While Bob and Frank moved upstream, I stuck to the adage that you don't leave fish to find fish. Over the course of the day we all caught fish on a variety of flies; "Feggs," foam beetles, Stimulators, and Griffith's Gnats.
Bob departed on Wednesday, and that afternoon Capt. DiPaola rolled in, the first of 5 former HSL-42 "Proud Warrior"" squadron mates arriving for our annual Man's Weekend. The weather held firm over the next few days, allowing us to take advantage of the best of God's Country...
Fishing at the Pavilion Hole and the Kiddie Pool, which is still holding a lot of trout, including some of the Tiger Trout (now nicely colored up) that I stocked this summer:
Followed up by another great day on Kettle. Gnats, beetles, and ants did the trick. And we didn't move more than 50 feet from where we entered the stream:
The rest of the crew arrived Thursday and Friday, with outdoor activies set for Saturday. Joe, Steve Malloy, and Jamie Pierce headed to God's Country Upland Preserve (https://www.gcupreserve.com/) for an upland Pheasant shoot. Once again, owner Loren ("Fitz") Fitzgerald took great care of our crew. Under the supervision of guides Eric Potter and Taylor Hand, and thanks to the superstars of the group, Colt and Ripper, the gents had a phenomenal day busting through the sorghum fields, going 10 for 10 on the birds. Not bad for two first-time shooters!
While the hunt was on, I took Tom Cosgrove and Bill Flannigan to Rainbow Paradise (https://rainbowparadisetroutfarm.com/) for a Fly Fishing 101 course. For newbies, it was a pretty decent outing. By the time we left their casting was solid, and we enjoyed several hookups and a few fish brought to the net.
And plenty of comraderie, sea stories (helped by copious Old Fashions ... thanks Joe!!!), great meals, and shuffleboard:
Of course, none of this would have been possible without WBT President and CINCHOUSE Mary Felker, who's flies were not only very successful on the waters, but put together superb meals for the crew. Thanks Babe!
A great weekend, and an important weekend. Somehow we slipped from our devil-may-care days as 30-40 something year old lieutenants and lieutenant commanders, to retired senior-officer duffers heading to Medicare territory. I'm not sure how it happened so quickly. Doesn't really matter. Because for a brief period we found ourselves "back in the day." I don't thing we're ready to hit the senior citizens blue plate special just yet (although the 0030 and 0130 last calls this weekend put a bit of a hurt on me). So we keep these going, enjoying bonds of friendship and comradeship that go back three decades.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
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