A good day on the river

This is a further contribution authored by Carl Ochnio, an avid freshwater fly angler who lives in central Connecticut.  Carl is a former higher education professional who now finds as much time as he can wading in moving water. All photo credits belong to Carl. carl.ochnio@gmail.com

What makes a day on the river memorable? Earlier this week, I managed to put ten fish into my net. If you asked me how I did, I would smile and say, 'Pretty good—it was a fun day.'

I went back to the river today, eager to build on my recent success. After a night of rain, the river was higher, slightly stained, and cold. These conditions tempered my expectations, and I was prepared for a challenging day and muttered the old fishing mantra, "Well, it was just good to be out." [This mantra, often used by anglers, reflects the understanding that not every fishing trip will result in a big catch, but the experience of being outdoors and the thrill of the chase are what make the sport enjoyable.]

It was a Friday, and given the high flow, I was surprised to see so many anglers on the water. Some had taken over my favorite fishing spots, so I chose to hike down the drainage to find some open space.

After hiking and crossing the stream, I finally reached a pool I call the "Aquarium." Probably due to the fast-moving current, there wasn't a soul in sight, so I decided to wade in. I fished the run hard for about forty-five minutes, making several passes from the tail to its head, and there were no takes. [Here, 'making several passes' refers to casting multiple times in different seams or areas to cover more water and increase the chances of a fish taking the bait.]

Within the Aquarium is a section I call the Slot, and within the Slot, I refer to another short run as The Tub. The Tub is a narrow depression in the riverbed that usually goes unnoticed during most flows. However, if you accidentally step into it, it is wise to have your wader belt securely fastened around your waist. [The 'Tub' and 'Slot' are specific parts of the river, and their unique features have the potential to hold large fish.]

In recent years, The Tub has yielded a few sizeable fish. If fish had a pecking order, this would always be the prime holding spot, reserved for a large fish affectionately called Moby. After making a few casts into it and getting no bites, I started to feel like it was going to be one of those days. With the higher flow, I thought it might be a good idea to lengthen my tippet and tie on a heavier point fly. This adjustment would help me reach a greater depth and slow the drift of my stonefly nymph.

After a few casts with the new rig, I felt a tug on the line. I noticed the bend in my rod and realized I had hooked a heavier fish. At that moment, I was glad I had switched to a 5X tippet because of the heavier flows, as I had already lost a couple of fish while using 6X. I maneuvered the fish upstream, steering it out of the stronger current and into my net.

It was the largest fish I had brought into the net this season. It was notable because it had already developed a kype on its jaw. But what exactly is a kype? A kype refers to the hooked shape on a fish's lower jaw. Typically, trout and salmon develop one during their spawning periods. Male trout use their kype for intimidation, much like the antlers on elk and deer. During spawning season, the kype enables male fish to nip at other males, keeping them away from potential mates. Its presence can also indicate that the fish has been around for a significant amount of time.

After releasing the fish, I walked back upstream and passed several open pools. Although I could have stopped to fish in those spots, I continued to my SUV, packed up, and headed home.

If you were to ask me how my day went, I would smile and say I had fun, caught one, and was done for the day. There is a special satisfaction in a day like this, when the thrill of the catch stays with you long after releasing the fish back into the river.

Some days, just catching one is all it takes.