Batten Kill Browns

I ventured to the Batten Kill on Tuesday, September 29. It was early evening and chilly. Rain came and went early in the day. The river was at a good level and cold. The leaves were in full force on the water making any kind of dry presentation improbable. There was a good caddis hatch coming off but no risers.

Thinking of what to use, I remembered my first fly tying class five years ago that I took through Hunter's out of New Boston (Now Stone Creek Outfitters). The instructor was Dick Talleur. The two-day class was great and fun. One pattern we tied was the Morrish Mouse - a lesson in hair stacking and using foam. I have carried it with me for 5 years and decided to give it a go. On the first cast, the pictured brown exploded out of the water and took it. About 10 minutes later, I took the second brown, both about 14".

I was fishing on the NY/VT line off Rt. 313 - a great stretch of water. The Vermont Batten Kill closes October 30 while the NY side is open all year.

Batten Kill browns are always a challenge but two in one evening was great fun.

It's Fall!

Fall is arriving and the trout will be looking to go one more time before snow blows. Upcoming trips include the Pemi in October for the broodstock salmon. Always fun and the fish are lively. Depends somewhat on how and where NH Fish & Game stock both the Pemi and Merrimack, but normally, it is a good time.

Many trout waters close on October 15 in NH so a final trip to Sky Pond is in order with maybe a quick run to Profile. Out of the area visits will include the Battenkill & Mettowee in VT, Au Sable in NY, and Raritan in NJ.

Back In NH, we will visit both Lamprey and Cocheco Rivers and maybe some final striper action on the seacoast vis a vis waders.

We will update our trips as they happen. Battenkill tomorrow so I will post something later this week.