The NBB spring outting to Rockwell was a few weeks ago. Sorry for the late report but I was hoping to get some pics to go along with the write up I got from one of our new members. Apparently no one had their camera or those that did opted to leave it in the car due to the fact that it was kind of rainy. Big thanks to Scott for the write up. Here it is:
From a Flyfishing Novice: Rockwell is the Ultimate Learning Lab!
I admit it. I never caught a trout in my life before this trip. I was scared to take the trip because I was, ultimately, afraid of my lack of knowledge and skill. Jim gave me a few pointers and I caught my first trout ever in five minutes on a Brassie I tied myself. I shouted so loud I freaked out some poor guy walking down the stream. He immediately forgave my breach of etiquette when I informed him that it was my first ever.
When I thought of this trip, I was overwhelmed by the idea of some huge trout stream that I’d have to walk a half mile down to find a good place to fish. Nothing could be further from the truth! Picture two snakes curled end on end compressed into several acres. The stream was 5 feet to fifteen feet wide in some places and crystal clear. You could see the trout stacked up and ready to catch. It looked way too easy. The problem was that the fish could see you and everything you cast at them as well. They were some tricky fish. You had to cast sideways and only about a few rod lengths for any given section.
The weather was full of clouds and sprinkles, but that helped as well.
I caught several trout on my own brassies and one given to me by a club member. I also caught several on a dry, white Poly Caddis. Other members found the dry flies effective as well. I watched one member a few bends of the stream up from me catch several trout in a few minutes on an ant pattern.
The highlight of the trip had to be the surprise catch of the day. We had all piled into the dining room to dry out, swap lies (uh fish stories), and eat. The rain had returned. In the middle of all this, Jim storms into the room and says “Hey, anyone got a camera? I just caught a 30 inch steelie and wanna take a picture.” Only dedicated fisherman would leave a hot meal for a cold rain to admire a fish! And it was worth admiring. Congrats to Jim for his catch and many thanks for his help and the help of others to this novice.