Posted on June 19 2026
Would have been a thrill to hoist the spinnaker and take a down wind run in JF's sailboat, but I'd already scheduled a layday to take care of some nagging business matters.
Didn't miss trying to get a fly to touch down on the river in 40mph south winds.
Return will depend on wind abatement, and resolution of other non related issues.
Nothing better than reading that guys like Jack and Angler 119 are not only still fly fishing but doing damn good on the toughest trout in America! Gives me hope I have many years left!
Jack, tip of the hat to you for an enjoyable report and looking forward to many more. The Kingston Trio says “hi ho”.
Well done Jack!!
All of the associate editors are impressed and in awe! What a great report. Keep on fishing and tight lines to you.
Jack what a great story. I wish you the best of health and luck. Take care
Jack- Thank you . I really enjoyed reading your post.All my best wishes for your continued fishing well into your 90’s. Ed
Fished the WB this week for my first trip of the year. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: decided to come home yesterday, and from the above report, sounds like the right decision.
As I approach my 90th decade, let me say I’m so grateful that I can get out on the river at all is a small miracle.
My eyes are going; but the Ninja Bullseye device works to thread tippet on small flies (just not the Harrops Last Chance Pattern)
My balance is going: fell in the river for the first time in 30 years, but it was while wading to shore late Wednesday, so no foul.
The fishing: Monday in Stilesville, I introduced myself to 5 fish: the first two landed( green slime made them feel like twice their actual size), just missed the next two, and the fish of the day took off downstream never to be seen again. (The moral victory was my fly was still on; not a bad knot)
There were enough pontoon boats above me that you could have re-enacted Dunkirk.
Tuesday: Got one nice fish, and was ignored the rest of the afternoon. The majority of the rises were more of the slashing variety, and the fish that were taking duns were moving a few feet with every rise.
Wednesday: a complete bust (for me) as once again the few dun takers were constantly on the move.
So there you have it: I made it to the WB one more time, when early this year I was in the hospital so many times the nurses knew me by name. So BE GRATEFUL every day you get on the water.