River Life: Beginnings and Endings

 

I went to a local tailwater river yesterday to see if there were any midges hatching. It was fairly mild for early March but the wind was howling, 60 Km plus and I therefore didn't expect much. I planned to wait until supper time to see if it would calm down and whether the tiny bugs would collect in the shallows. The wind did abate at 5 pm but there were few midges around.

I spent the afternoon walking the river and taking it all in as I haven't fished in awhile. I mainly threw a streamer with dumbbell eyes and let it sink and swing, and then slowly stripped it in. I picked up two Rainbows this way. I also nymphed a bit but had no luck with this strategy. A more skilled bottom dredger probably would have done better. A small trout did rise to the "plop" of my pink strike indicator. It always amazes me when this happens, especially in the winter time. I should have tossed a beetle at him.

The water temperature at river's edge in the sun was 40F and then later in the day when cloudy 38F...not bad for this time of year. Spring might come early...might! I saw many deer, an eagle, waterfowl and feathers. I spotted what looked like a dead Pelican. Several years ago on the same river I found a dead Coyote after run-off.

A river is a place of beginnings and endings.

Endings:

pelican

 

coyote

In the Spring Geese nest along the river.

Beginnings:

goose eggs ringed in down

goose eggs along with some fakes