Beating the Groundhog Day Crowds

 The lake near my house is only a 30 minute drive but I wanted to see my little stream during our stretch of warm weather.  Just the perfect flow and I wanted to use my 7 1/2' Rapidan with my newly acquired Heddon Daisy 310.  The rod could so use a couple of more guides, but with Triangle Taper 5 it is perfect here.

 The snowmelt must make the water too cold to bring the fish into the usual pools, and nymphing the deeper runs produced nothing and didn't see a fish until I got to "Big Mel's" place.

This trout is easily spooked and I thought I had done it again when I kicked a rock after spending minutes easing my way down the bank.  The only saving grace was that Mel had risen to eat something at the same time.  I patiently waited about 5 minutes and saw him/her cruising again.  I flipped my Shop Vac in while Mel was facing downstream and lifted slowly.  Just as I wondering if the fly was in the right lane I had a take.  Luckily it was a good hookset and I was able to her in after a few runs under branches & rocks.  Of course my camera ran out of batteries just after this shot, but it's just as well (but I still regret that one butterfly picture).  Easily the largest hybrid I've ever taken here.