11/23

Between the snow and the 40 mile an hour gusts, I didn't even go out, not fit for fly flinging.  Thought about checking the ice gear to make sure everything is ready, but we won't get ice around here until after Xmas most years.
 
Thanks for the report, fichy.
 
L13

Glad you made it home with all 4 wheels on the ground.   Tough day out there I am sure 
 
 

Well Charlie you have made me realize November is outa the picture this year for me. Miss it too-- Deer and Turkey for me the next coupla weeks, Oh well always next season---or a coupla those Feb/Mar days .
 Have long felt Nov is my favored time but lately August is climbing up the list.

One of HT's lakes is going to the big  fat zero tonight. Mid-singles for me.
Trevor, I hate to be a wet blanket (of snow) or snow on anyone's parade. I hope you get up to x-country ski and find some time to get to the river and switch a few up. Enjoy your hunting .Hours on end of the single hand  spey is starting to get to me, especially when throwing a big indicator, some tungsten putty  and a  beadhead fly , which has been my standard rig lately.  Many times, I need to get about 30-40 feet of line upstream to start the drift and cast timing has to be spot on with my 7 wt. to pull it off. So I started looking at a switch. I went to Fat Nancy's to look at the Shu-Fly rods that Jack uses, but all they had were 10 wt.s. I then went to Whitakers, which had all high end (Sage, Winston) and mid grade (Redington ) that started at 350. While I was there I eavesdropped on 2 guys arguing over the relative merits of Patagonia vs. Simms fishing gloves and color and style WERE issues. Something about clashing with a vest.  Good thing I wasn't wearing my ratty 10 dollar hothedz mitten thingies. I might've ruined their day with offended sensibilities. I've got a barrel in my hall filled with great fly rods. You could buy a decent vehicle with the cost of them. Some I got discounted, some not. I doubt I'll ever be looking for high end again.
The color of my gloves isn't an issue, though.  I then went to All Seasons and got helped by a kid who was a pinner. At least I had the Wallis cast  finally explained to me. If I were to take up another method, pinning would be it. I thought about it a lot the past few years. He had no knowledge of fly stuff, but we stumbled across an 8wt. 11' St. Croix Imperial Switch.  Just felt right.  About a 100 and change more than a Shu-Fly, but I'm a St. Croix fan and have cast friend's imperials and liked them a lot. So Friday, I'll go in and get it. I cleared it with the boss, and she said it was OK, one more in the barrel won't collapse the floor.  I really do hope they don't raise the river, I do want to go. Leaving right after I can get up off the chair T-day.  Nothing like a cooler full of  fresh turkey   sandwiches and a hot coffee  by the cold river. At least for me.

Hey Charlie , nice report and glad you got to play with a few ( rods too ). Sounds like your going to be lovin the winter steel . Don't worry , those PA ( lol) crowds with thin and I will help a little too. Travel musta been brutal and makes a long ride very tiring and glad you guys made it safe .
Super busy with work and put two through the grinder today and another hit the hook. Ain't none mine but I get rewards for the work.
Pretty chilly out here right now as I even got the bibs on . Won't be long for the short rods for me. Woods for now.

Have a great thanksgiving , hope you catch a few this week .

I have to amend my report, I did see one other fish coming in. It was just above the 52 bridge. I was driving across and saw there was no traffic, so I stopped to see a guy have one wallowing on the surface, obviously fouled. Since they had a net at the  ready even though the fish was still at least 50' out, I'll assume they were planning on landing it.  With it being so cold and slow and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt . They probably were telling each other it rolled in the line, or was just doing a funny twist.
2B, that's my mantra. Next time.....   This time was OK though. I had one on for at least 5 minutes and 2 runs ,  and it cartwheeled 3 times. That's enough to keep me happy. The other 2 were much  shorter. I had a lot of big mends going, and stacking to work long drifts. Downside is slower reaction time to a bobber drop or slide.  I'm hoping the longer rod will help that. I had a 11' single hand Grey's that I bought at Malinda's on sale, but it was a beast. It was about 1/2 lb. and as tip heavy a rod as I've ever fished. I sold it. Next....   I love my 10' 7 wt. but it is a little shy when it's up over 1,000. 
    HT, have a great time with the family.  Keep one of them shantys warm for me.  I gotta see one of them  lake  hawgs  chasing  a jig.
I hope they're not addictive.....
 

I second that dime,the 11' switch is all I use on the SR now.And All Seasons is a really great shop,huge inventory,great employees,and their prices are hard to beat.My go to store for sure!