All I Have To Do, Is Dream, Dream, Dream - - - -

Fluky little rainstorms continue to slow the descent of the water levels. One hit the Willow another Oquaga. Cannonsville is not spilling, but only because the release is equal to or greater than what the spill would be. The forecast is decent for the next week and perhaps the rivers will finally return to normal levels. I say it, but don't really believe it.

The fishing has, unless or until the Dorotheas settle into their summer routine, become a late evening thing. Drove all over yesterday looking for bugs and rising fish without success. Today pretty much stayed in the 60's with a breeze that bent the tree branches. I spent the morning doing yard work without breaking a sweat. Had a 1:30  appointment for an oil change and tire rotation over in Equinunk at CL Repair. Wasn't able to finish a LA Times medium crossword before the car was ready to go. I wasn't. Drove back to Lordville, finished the crossword and caught a few zees before heading out to fish at 4:30.

The bugs - There just weren't any. Saw an iso, a Cahill, and two dull yellow mayflies, no caddis and, perhaps because the wind never laid down, or perhaps because there are just no bug  hatching,  there was no spinner fall.

The fishing - Drove east on 17, getting off at the Cook's Falls/ Horton exit. Saw a fish rise three times right in front of me at the first pool I stopped at. Went back to the car through a dark tunnel of knot weed, donned the gear, waded out to the fish and got him to look at two of the four flies I threw at him. Tipped my hat as he rose again for whatever was today's special, and went to the next pool where I stood for half an hour without seeing a bug or rising fish. It was at least 7:00, (I didn't check), when I waded into the third pool. Vowed to fish there or go back to the Lordville Estate. Again there were no bugs or rising fish. Fortunately, at least for me, an 18 inch 'bow ate my fly on a blind cast within the first ten minutes, (everyone needs a confidence booster). A few minutes later I actually saw a rise within casting distance, threw three flies and then the kitchen sink, (with the garbage disposal attached), but got no response. From then until 8:38 when I got in the car, I rose seven more fish, all on blind casts, six ate, the seventh fish refused because the GD tail fibers were bent down into the bend of the hook. Landed four fish three 'bows and a 19 inch brown.

The quality of the fishing is just superb, the fish are big, (did get a 12 inch rainbow today), and with the high water, landing them is an event in itself. Just wish there was more than an hour and a half of fishing a day.