When The Fog Is On The River, There Is No Wind.

There has been considerable grumbling this season about having to fish in the fog. I've written about it as recently as June 30th. My only complaint about the fog is that it seems to negatively affect my depth perception and hence the accuracy of my casts. I did my best to dispel that theory tonight, more on that later. 

With both Lafayette and Lordville on flood watches for the past two days I had very little hope of getting to fish today. Looked at the stream flows at breakfast this morning and was surprised to see that the WB was spared yesterdays onslaught. Hopes not dashed, I assembled my freshly washed clothes, patched waders, food that Jean prepared, and headed for Lordville. Stopped in Deposit to confirm that the river was running clear and at a fishable level, (it was), and then motored on down to the Lordville Estate. 

By the time I'd unpacked my clothes and food and put them away, the skies had darkened and the thunder had begun to rumble. When the rain started I crossed the afternoon sulfur hatch foray off  the list and hoped that the forecast calling for the rain to end by six was correct. For once it was. Checked the damage done by this afternoon's rain, (none), and set out to fish the WB in the fog.

Let me state this for all to hear, "I love to fish in the fog." Why? No, it's not because at my age I'm in a fog most of the time anyway. The big reason, I think, is because it creates the illusion of solitude which I have always treasured when trout fishing and which now, is nearly impossible to find. Many years ago on the WB in a heavy fog, I thought I was the only person on the planet, until I smelled a cigar. The guy wasn't 50 feet from me. The biggest danger today is being run over by a boat. When faced with foggy conditions know theses few things, most fishermen have quit because of the fog, the flies hatch anyway, (they don't know it's foggy), the fish are more likely to feed as they can't see the eagles or the fishermen, and you don't need to see more than 50 feet to catch fish, (if you wade quietly and don't throw a wake).

The fishing - Tried the balancing act again, downstream far enough to get out of the crowds, yet where there were still enough sulfurs hatching to get fish up. Tonight I hit the nail on the head. One boat appeared out of the fog early, if there was a fisherman within a mile I couldn't see him or smell his cigar. The sulfurs hatched, again in modest numbers, the fish rose carefully and with restraint. Strangely I didn't have the depth perception problems the fog  causes on but a very few fish. 

How'd I do? I was tickled pink, (if anyone knows where that expression comes from tell Dave at the Troutfitter you are entitled to a dozen flies on A119). Had one of the best big fish nights in a long long time. Hooked 8 fish. One came unstuck right away and a 16ish fish came unstuck ten feet from me when I was pulling him up against a crotch deep, reasonably heavy current. The other six fish totaled one-hundred twelve inches and no matter how you divide it up - it was a hell of a night.