Trucha del Musky

After what has felt like forever, I had the chance to get out on the Muskenetcong River this past weekend.

Armed with my old Winston 4#, a 10' leader, and a box full of caddis dry flies I set out down the old dirt road I have been so many times before.

Over the course of the weekend we ran into every kind of weather imaginable. It started off cold on Saturday morning but by that afternoon it was a perfect with mid to high seventies and no humidity. On Sunday, it was hot and humid and the temperatures kept rising until we were stuck in a downpour. It cleared up and we were able to fish for an hour or so longer until water levels rose and the water clarity was lost. It was fun to constantly change to conditions and try to stay in stride with the fish and what they were keying in on.

Dry flies, nymphs, streamers and emerger patterns all worked at different times. The smaller caddis patterns were best for the dry fly fishing while scuds worked particularly well when nymphing. Even with the high number of fish caught over about 18 hours of fishing this weekend it was not easy fishing, which I particularly enjoy, with spooky fish in low clear water longer and lighter tippets were mandatory.

Once the water had changed to a dirty milky consistency, it was time to call it quits. Even after years of fishing the same river, I am always reminded of how fortunate I am to have these waters so close.

Palometa

Just got back from a trip to the Yucatan for Permit. The weather and fish cooperated so that I was able to end the trip with three permit, countless bonefish, a snook, mackeral, snappers, some barracuda and even jumped a tarpon. The trip was a success.

The trip started by flying into Cancun and then being picked up by the van drivers for the Palometa Club. The club itself is a serious permit destination and focuses on this fish unlike any other place I have been. Permit is the game and the guides an staff never tire in expressing love of their quarry.

In addition to the fishing there isn't much of a night life, if you have the energy to go out and about (which I did not). Rather, the real value is being able to sit around a few outdoor tables set up in the sand with some good margaritas, beer or spirits talking about fish of past or the day's encounters. Getting a great group of people together is a big advantage and one that I can say was a treat.

If there is any interest in spending some time catching up on books or other reading, this can be the place as well. "Unplugging" for a week can be great with no cable TV, Cell Phones, and limited access to internet (if you bring your latptop) is a savior more than a curse to me.

The lodge can be found at www.palometaclub.com and would recommend for a getaway in search of permit if you ever get the chance and appetite for this elusive game fish on the fly rod.

Bass and Blues

The striped bass bite has really picked up on the fly rods from shore along with a deluge of huge bluefish. Over the past few weeks we have been able to get some really big bluefish on the Enrico Puglisi Pike fly in fire tiger. It is made from synthetic fibers and can really hold up to a lot of crushing blows from the bluefish. This fly can take a beating even after getting bloodied and twisted up all it takes is a few casts to dry out the fly and hit is a couple times with a comb to have it back up and catching more.

The striped bass are also active in hitting big bright flies with all chartreuse being their favorite. Work these slower than you would for bluefish and change up speeds for success right now.