Trout on a fly
October 21, 2000• (1) Comments
Today, I waded into the North Branch of the Raritan River alone and netted my very first trout on a dry fly. In fact, over the course of half an hour, I hooked up a dozen of them and landed nine small hatchery Browns, none larger than ten inches.
These followed a fish that was something else altogether. It had scales, was silver in color, and fought like a little rocket. When I brought it to net, it measured a good eleven inches in length. Its vigor thoroughly embarrassed the trout, and, without knowing what it was, I released it back into the pool just south of the Rt.202 bridge. Having every intention to continue in this solitary sport, I hope that this unexpected fish and I will meet again. Until we do, I am prepared to regard it as a wayward, clandestine tarpon, land-locked and stream-bound, high up here in the Somerset Hills.