Labor Day Photo-op

Rainbow trout caught in Lynn Camp Creek on Labor Day 2011

I had been looking forward to doing some bass fishing over the three-day break, but when the Labor Day weekend arrived it had 100-degree heat and 100% humidity rolling in with it. That just about ensured that we would be heading to a stream. While the fishing wouldn't be very good, even though the choice was convenient; the Chief had asked a friend to take some photos of he, D, and I fishing, and her husband was ready to learn.

REVIEW: Hobbs Creek Fly Reel, Fully Loaded HC2R-L6

The Chief's HC2R-L5 slightly used.

When the Chief and I started "upgrading" our equipment, we were going to purchase the under $20 Bass Pro Shops Power Plus Graphite Fly Rods - Model PPG8056-2 and just mount our cheap Martin reels on them. Somewhere along the way, one of the salesmen mentioned to Dad a deal being offered that included a Hobbs Creek fly reel loaded with backing, line and leader. You would actually save about $5 purchasing everything together and loaded instead of purchasing each separate and doing it yourself. Saved-labor and $5 off to boot meant this was a pretty fair deal as far as we were concerned, so we each bought one for $59.99, Dad a 5-wt. and me a 6-wt. (I'm still thinking bass).

The actual item we purchased was the HC2R-L6, but I have been unable to locate it on the Bass Pro Shops Site. As far as I can tell—I won't swear to it—the package includes an HC2R Hobbs Creek™ Large Arbor Fly Reel, 100 yards of 20 lb. White River Fly Shop® MAGIBRAID™ Flyline Backing (38-425-059-00), an 82-ft weight forward Hobbs Creek™ Fly Line (38-431-182-06), and I suspect a 5x 9-foot White River Tapered Leader (I didn't pay much attention, and through the use of multiple sections of tippet and a few snags, mine is now more of a knotted leader while Dad replaced his).

REVIEW: BPS Power Plus Graphite Fly Rod - Model PPG8056-2

As previously mentioned, the old man and I decided to start learning with some cheap--I mean really cheap--fly rod kits. Once we had the basics down, it wasn't long before we were looking to make some inexpensive upgrades. On a visit to the White River Fly Shop, we noticed some rods for less than $20 that had a bit more action than than the cheap Martin's we had purchased. We figured at the price, it was worth taking a risk, and so we came home with two 8-foot, 5/6-weight Bass Pro Shops Power Plus Graphite Fly Rods - Model PPG8056-2.

Back to the Pond

On Saturday, I noticed there was a large group gathered at the trout stream and so I suggested to the Chief that we head back to our secret pond on Sunday. I told him that I felt like with the abating heat over the last couple of weeks, the water should have cooled down and that the conditions would be favorable to catching some decent bass. D went along to observe and play in the pool, but she didn't even bother to take a rod.

A Solitary Saturday

Everyone occasionally needs some alone time, and Saturday proved perfect for me. Both D and the Chief had to work, so I took the opportunity to hit the trout stream free from any frustrating influences.

A Brief Escape

D and I had nothing to do tonight and several of hours of daylight left, so I suggested we hit the trout stream. She packed some snacks, we loaded the truck, and headed south, Thursday.

Trout on my Mind

During one of my visits to the White River Fly Shop in the last month, a fellow patron struck up a conversation with me about the kinds of fishing we did. While I have been chasing smallmouth, he was almost exclusively devoted to trout. When I told him that I had never been fishing for trout, he said don't ever stop. It has a way of being addicting. I now understand exactly what he was talking about.

I also now better understand a comment a friend made a few months ago. The Saturday after Dad and I first went, we ran into Bobby at a mutual friend's seventieth birthday party. Knowing Bobby was an experienced, "serious" fisher, I decided to ping him for some tips and perhaps gain a bit of insider knowledge to tying flies. Bobby's advice: "Don't start."

Well, I really didn't understand what he was saying at the time, and it was already too late for that matter. Now that I have been I few times, I finally get it.