Well, I may not have made it out on the water on the official Opening Day of the 2018 trout season, but better late than never, as they say! Was finally able to dust off my gear after the normal off-season hiatus and head out to a local creek on Memorial Day that usually ends up being one of the first I visit every late spring. Fall Creek is nothing spectacular, by any means, but it is relatively close by with easy access, and it is generally reliable in providing cold, clear water and eager little rainbows among very beautiful surroundings…

The first day on the water after the long winter break is always something to look forward to! The comfortable familiarity of stream-side preparations like checking gear, assembling rod and reel, selecting flies and feeling the friendly heft of a loaded vest comes back with a rush as I eagerly set off down the trail and try to select the best spot to drop into the creek and try a cast or two. And it doesn’t take long to be rewarded with that all-too-familiar tug of a little, wild rainbow trout to welcome you back home!

Warm sunny skies above and icy-cold water below, and once again feeling the flow of a beautiful mountain stream… great way to start the season!