It's a classic plunge pool, water enters the head with some force creating a complex ebb and flow of movement. There's a deep channel along the right-side bank where a second mini-cascade enters the pool. Two small trout rose whilst I rigged up with a #20 late-phase emerger, especially encouraging this early in the season. I expected there to be trout here, but it's always nice to have your hunch confirmed. Fallen tress impede an open back-cast, you have to check your stroke. My casting was a little off-beat initially so I took an hour or so to build some rhythm and ease myself in to the new season. Simple, short line casts got things started: 10' of line + 7.5' leader thrown systematically covering the throat of the pool. Lifting the line clear of the surface helps counter drag, readily achievable even with a 6.5' rod whilst maintaining good line control and good contact with the fly. Another 8' line was stripped and steeple casts were threaded through the limbs of fallen trees as the mid-pool was searched. A slight mend on the forward stroke extended the drift but it was tricky to present tight against the slower right bank. Moving beyond the large boulder mid-pool I was able to cast a 20' line along the crease of the main inlet, with an overpowered forward stroke to introduce slack. Stripping back to a short-line presentation again enabled multiple, drag-free drifts from left to right with impeccable control.
The new camera's super-macro setting is a breeze, so I'll be making time for a late-phase emerger SBS. This design will cover 80% of this season's fishing:
And I'll be tying a range of midge pupa and emergers for Monday 11th July 2011. On this day, the anniversary of his death, I'll celebrate the life and work of the late Ed Koch on stream.
