Foam Is Home

Written by: Phoebe Bean

Photo by Phoebe Bean

Thanks to Orvis colleague Pete Kutzer, my bleak outlook on the closed fishing season in New England has brightened a bit.

Pete disclosed that there are a few nearby rivers that have small sections open year-round, which was music to my ears. After getting the location details from him on Wednesday night, I figured I would wait and hit the rivers over the weekend for some much needed fish therapy. But, I couldn’t help myself, so I dipped out a little early on Thursday and hit the water with my waders, rod, and definitely not enough layers for the 37-degree weather waiting for me.

I threw on a size four black nutcracker and went to work. Throughout my years of fishing, streamers haven’t really been my thing. I like dry-fly fishing. I like seeing my fly and watching the fish rise. I have to say, though, that using streamers has definitely been growing on me, and when the water temperature is super low, they pull through almost every time.

The Nutcracker
Photo via orvis.com

After three casts, I moved upstream 10 yards to a deep pool on the edge of the main current that had lots of good foam. On my fourth cast of the day, I felt a bit of a tug. Hoping it wasn’t my weights caught up on the bottom, I was stoked when I could feel the trout begin to fight after I set the hook. The whole process of landing him went perfectly, which is not usually my experience. The chunky, 15-inch rainbow was very cooperative and removing the hook was a breeze, despite my numb fingers. I quickly snapped a couple of photos, and then off he went back into the depths of the pool.

Now that I have a few spots to go try out, I think the transition from fall into winter will be a lot less bleak for me.

Thanks again, Pete!

Photo via Phoebe Bean