Posted on June 23 2026
Drove down this morning in a steady rain with the temperature in the mid 50's arriving at the Lordville Estate just after noon. Had lunch, did the Monday puzzles and at 1:30 headed out to fish the freestones.
With a cold rain and no sunshine the freestone water temps were down to about 60 degrees and I wanted a break from the chorus line of anglers up in Deposit.
Started on the BR, there were no bugs, and no rising fish. Fished for an hour and a half got two refusals and hooked five fish, (one being a 9 inch yearling rainbow).
Drove over to the BK and looked at four different pools, never saw a rise. Tried one for a half hour never saw a bug or a fish.
Went from there to the BE and fished two pools from 5:00 until 8:30. There were some small olives on one pool and I saw no more than a couple dozen Cahill's in the two pools combined. Was refused on both an iso and a small olive, but the fish gleefully, (until hooked), ate my Cahill's with nary a refusal. Lost two flies to fish, one a spin out, (my bad), the other when the tippet just broke when it shouldn't have. Also lost one fish that just came unstuck.
Highlight of the evening, (if only someone was there to record it), was my fall on the rocks while hustling downstream to cast at a riser I saw. For the record, I fell hard, was going to land on my right hand, (which was holding my rod and reel), flipped the rod ahead of me, (it also landed on the rocks), and then slammed into the rocks. It's now 9:45 and as far as I can tell, the only injuries are a small bruise on my left hand and a big bruise on my right hand, Got up, picked up the rod, (the reel seemed to work fine), walked down stream fifty feet and caught the riser. Will I feel ok tomorrow?
I’ll give you an answer in the morning …praise be your a MEATLOAF fan?
I’m good for one dunking a season, and it always happens the same exact way. I wade deep, fast riffles without any issue, mostly because I am paying attention. My falls are always the result of looking off into the distance while walking in shin deep, flat, slow water. My foot slips or I stub a larger submerged rock and slow-motion try to save myself as I slowly sink into the water.
Sorry about your fall, I did exactly the same thing on the West branch last week and then stopped and said you are smarter than this. Don’t run to that fish because if he comes up again, that will be a good thing if he doesn’t, you ran up stream and possibly fell and hurt yourself. 15 minutes later I started walking towards another fish walked too fast got careless and fell myself. Landed on both my knees. Thank goodness, no injury just a bruise and at 76 years old I’m hoping I’m a little smarter next time.
Angler119’s- Be careful out there.Glad that you’re ok. Dennis is right and we are not 25 ( or 65) years old any more. You covered a lot of territory yesterday and caught fish . Congrats. Jim N beat me to the plate. But after my strikeout on the Platters , at least I’m back in the game . The Scooter would be proud. All My Best. Ed
I gotta know right now…..
At least you had the last laugh and caught the fish. Hope you are ok today.
You’re lucky you didn’t break your wrist!!!! The most common fx when falling is a wrist Fx I am glad you’re ok. If you see a rising fish take your time safety first. You ve caught a lot of fish!!!! I hope all is well today and you’re not sore. Lecture is done!!!!!