First season on Watershed.

[BigWilly]

Hello WF,
First season fishing the watershed.  Great fishery!  I have focused on the Ocean for the last 15-20 years.  This year I left the ocean sticks in the basement and focused on the Croton Watershed(well maybe I went on a trip to mex or two).  Fly fishing was the early season challenge.  Learned allot about myself, wading around in the streams.  Like I get scared easy by mother nature when no one else is around.lol  I also learned that Pearoosters and Turkeys are not nice when surprised.  Three turkeys flew right over my head when I was waist deep in the East Branch of the Croton River.  Never even knew turkeys could fly.  A pearooster tried to attack me at Jack Stewart's house.  I attached a picture of that crazy bird.  Seriously wanted a piece of me.  Jack promised that bird wasn't his.  Boy did he think it was funny..........

Fishing was allot of fun.  Caught a bunch of trout fly fishing.  Best was 23 inch Brown at the West Branch CR.  Was not expecting that.  I let it go healthy but not happy.  Caught a few 4 pound bass out of Amawalk( My boat is currently there).  Caught a bass that was almost 5 pounds out of the NC.  Thats a funny story in its self.  I will do another post with that story.  Seemed to catch about a dozen Chain Pickerel?  WTF is with these things?  I thought I had a Baracudda when I caught the first one.  I had no idea they were in the croton watershed.  One of them was over 2 foot long.  Happen to be using a bigger rod than usual and boy was it still a fight.  I broke the line and better prepared my tackle box for handling them safely.  I have been grazed by a Wahoo in the arm, after being caught.  Instant infection so I wasn't messing with those teeth.  I'm now going to start focusing on Trout in the NC, and other places.  Going to release all them and would love some leadcore tips.  Just made myself two sweet rods and put Abu Garcia reels on them.  Can't wait. 

Well tight lines guys,
Last pic is my dog watching his rod.  He will sit by it all day and bark his ass of if it moves.  Pretty funny.

[reservoirdog]

Hey Bigwilly

Lots of nice pics and posts , But your dog is too funny!!!!!
He must be patient ,now if you could get him to reel in the fish you would have it made!!!!!!!!

[Nick]

great fish and great story! when did you catch that trout? early spring? its big!

[lionpshark]

Nice Pic's Big Willy
Those birds are beautiful but can also nip you pretty good as well. That one by Jacks house is fully grown and loud.
Looks like you have had a good season so far. 

[johnjav]

great pics, thanks for sharing.  Did you make that fly rod?

[BigWilly]

Thanks guys,

Yes sir, I caught that trout in May.  Kicked my ass for a while on a 4wt rod that I made a few weeks before.  I didn't think I stood a chance of landing it, but played it slow and let it ware it's self out.  Swam right in my net.  Sure it was total luck as this was my first season fly fishing.

That pearooster did had a loud screech.  It also had an Adams apple that went up and down while it was picking a fight with me.

Mr Wellington is my big boy.  He use to go fishing on my boat in San Diego, but he doesn't do to well hiking the shore or streams.  Too low to the ground, and he won't stay out of the water. 

Here's another pic of that trout from this spring. 

Tight lines guys.

[Nick]

looks even bigger when your holding it! what fly did you get it on?

[BigWilly]

looks even bigger when your holding it! what fly did you get it on?

I forget what the dry fly on top was, but it took a beaded nymph underneath.  Hit hard and stayed in the pool.  Kept going under this tree that had fallen in the river.  Swore it was going to break off every time it went under it.  Think I was so sure it was going to break off that I didn't stress during the fight.  Might have helped me to land it.  Can't wait for next spring!