Posted on October 23 2026
Spent until 3:00 in the afternoon working on the camp closedown. I perhaps do things differently than most. My closedown includes a thorough cleaning of the entire camp. When I come back in the spring everything is ready to go, with the place shut up and snow on the ground there isn't even any dust.
The fly tying room takes the longest as seemingly nothing gets put away until the very end. Today putting away the fly-tying equipment filled me with a melancholy feeling that was hard to shake. Above the tying bench are pictures of two long departed fly-tyers and friends. This year I stopped to see a river friend, whose camp is on the UEB, just to say hello, only to learn that he had suffered a serious stroke almost a year ago. I had no clue, found the camp deserted and unused. Looked in the window and saw his fly-tying bench with the usual disarray of necks, feathers, dubbing, bobbins, and hooks. You just never know when your last fly has been tied.
With the wind raining down leaves all day I was in no hurry to go fishing. Left a little after three and wasn't smart enough to return to camp until almost 5:00. Drove around, without success, trying to find a quiet pool with rising fish. The wind did die down after my return and I was able to blow the leaves off the place where I park the car.
The two does and their three fawns showed up just before dark, turned up their noses at the remaining apples, (mostly rotten), and spent time eating grass. Looked out the window just now, ( it's 7:58), and there was a nice 7 point buck staring back at me.
A119–thanks for another year of keen insights and musings to enhance our fly fishing endeavors. I just returned to Virginia from two days on the BK. Saw no risers so opted for dry droppers (midges/ small nymphs below were key) which yielded some action including a 16 inch Brown and a 19-inch Rainbow. The blue sky days and waning fall colors made for an idyllic experience.
From the comments, I conclude that I am not alone in asking what next year will bring.
I’ve found a device that helps me thread sizes down to #20. Now I need to work on my balance, since this year I fell for the first time in about 30 years. (The tight rope exercise is a good one).
But I’m still looking forward to next year. My fishing buddies have mostly passed on, and those that haven’t have debilitating health issues. So if you see a guy next year that looks like he’s approaching his ninth decade, please stop and say hello.
Next season will be awesome!! Can’t wait.
JF. Thanks. I love the Churchill quote. Ed
Ending with a preposition is fine. Churchill made the point when he scrawled on a memo where an underling tried to hard to do otherwise, “This is something up with which I will not put.”
Tight lines to all!
Appropriate epigraph to announce the coming end of the season, no doubt a nod to Judy Collins .
Richard I know the feeling well..I lost a fishing companion of 40 years last year and there are times when I just struggle to line up a rod. Age is something you can’t outrun so you keep moving forward making new memories.I’m fortunate to have a companion who is part of the trio I’ve fished with for years and will continue to do so..my “ladder” mishap has dampened the rest of the season so I look forward to next year.
Angler119’- I completely understand how you feel. The end of another fishing season brings a feeling of melancholy, thinking of old friends and new friends that we have shared rivers with. ( Hope Mrs . Haskins isn’t upset that I ended with a preposition) But there is optimism and excitement for the next season and new adventures which keeps us going throughout the winter. Hope you get out at least one more time before you close the camp. I’ll be on the Willow on Tuesday if you want to join me. All My Best. Ed
A119,
Sad to hear that you are in shutdown mode and that the season is coming to an end. Time marches on….
I hope you had the screens off your window! 😁