Often, I have been exhausted on trout streams, uncomfortable, wet, cold, briar scarred, sunburned, mosquito-bitten, but never, with a fly rod in my hand, have I been in a place that was less than beautiful." ~by Charles Kuralt-1990~

A few good evenings of fishin', a few days with empty nets.  The big guy scored this awesome picture of a fox carrying away his dinner, a newborn fawn.  We were on our way to the Oatka, and this was what we  saw in the parking lot of the park.

Then off to our local town hole,,, where the fishing is good and guaranteed :) ..  We caught a few of these interesting fish that the big guy couldn't recognize.  Any ideas on what these are?

They have a pinkish hue on the bottom.  very pretty for fish....  Night came quick so we were outta there fast.  Great little walking trail to lots of places on the water to fish.  Saw a blue heron several times.  This little village was the original site of the Seneca village of "Totiakon".  The village itself was founded in 1791.  On the banks of the creek, are two mills, with original buildings still standing.  A pretty waterfall runs through the village.  The big guy loves to fish here.  In the summer, bats swoop down at you, going after the bugs on the water.  A little creepy but you get used to it.   I tried my hand at landing the above fish and was able to bring it in.   Great night with the hubby !

"Cut down the trees and two-thirds of all the beauty of this region would depart. And how solemn it is to move all day through a majestic colonnade of trees and feel that you are in a boundless cathedral whose organ notes swell and die away with the passing wind like some grand requiem. Still more exciting is it to lie at midnight by your campfire and watch the moon sailing up amid the trees or listen to the cry of the loon, wild and lonely, on the wild and lonely lake, or the hoot of the owl in the deep recesses of the forest." Joel T. Headly

 Ahhh.. the Adirondacks... you are transported into a different world when you cross over the "blue line" and into the Adirondack Park.  The big guy and I found ourselves time for a quick impromptu trip to Big Moose Lake this past weekend.  Twenty-four hours of Adirondack bliss.  Way too short for such an amazing place.  Neither pictures nor words will not do it justice. (above; bridge over Moose River; below; fishing the Moose River)

"The lake's popularity derives from its remoteness, climate and beauty, as well as its notoriety as the location of the murder of Grace Brown in 1906. Alleged ghost sightings and subsequent media attention have added to the allure."  Wikipedia
Its an awesome lake.  Driving up from Eagle Bay its a winding road up to the Lake. Big Moose River on the left, camps dotting the right.  Lots of marked hiking trails on the way up.  Past Moss Lake (once a girls summer camp) which is a really cool place to canoe.  They offer 1st come, 1st served remote camping..
Big Moose Lake itself has had some issues with acid rain.  Really big ones.   DDT used in the 60's and 70's in Adirondack streams to temper the black fly population caused environmental damage, and just when that was on the mend,  it was apparent that acid rain was emerging as a major problem (around 1980).   Big Moose Lake, home to 20 different species of fish is now home to half dozen or so.  The Clean Air Act is lessening the impact of acid rain in some areas.  Lots of reading on that subject.  The Adirondack Museum has some good information on the effects of acid rain in these great Adirondacks.
(below: on the deck at Big Moose Lodge)

Another Big Moose claim to fame is the famous murder of Grace Brown on the lake in 1906.  A book based on the murder entitled "An American Tragedy" was one among many written along with movies, one featuring Elizabeth Taylor. (below; On bridge at Moose River)

Fishing ?  Yes, some fishing was done but the fish on Big Moose Lake never surfaced for the big guy, and our luck in the Big Moose River (pictures above) didn't produce anything on the hook.  Saw a few good sized ones though that just kept slipping through the big guys lures (along with a beaver)... The Big Moose River was lots of fun to canoe down, very picturesque and beautiful.  Lazy day relaxing on the water with the hubby paddling in pursuit of the elusive fish ! (below; sunset fishing at Big Moose Lodge)

In closing :
In a canoe a man changes and the life he has lived seems strangely remote. Time is no longer of moment, for he has become part of space and freedom. What matters is that he is heading down the misty trail of explorers and voyageurs, with a fair wind and a chance for a good camp somewhere ahead."

"They say you forget your troubles on a trout stream, but that's not quite it. What happens is that you begin to see where your troubles fit into the grand scheme of things, and suddenly they're just not such a big deal anymore." John Gierach

Fishing at the Big Eddy.  The big guy has got it again, landed 3 rock bass and one interesting carp.  The kids and I went exploring so no documentation.  Saw the remnants of some old woolen factories, and some foundations of the water raceways.  Grandma up visiting so put her in a chair so she could watch the action.  Perfect spring night !

My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it." ~by Koos Brandt~

Hmmm,,, So fly fishing is probably a pretty cheap sport, right?  All those cute little flies, even the pretty pink ones are under a dollar.  I mean really, how much could a wooly bugger really cost?  A fishing pole with some cork on it?  I remember the Mickey Mouse ones were under 20$ when the kids were little.  All those fake worms?  We can make those in our edible creepy crawler machine.  Feathers, gluesticks...  Michaels and AC Moore have those on sale every week.  My sister and some of my creative friends could whip up bunches of these fly things for pennies ... right ?  Brad Pitt in "A River Runs Through It" just grabbed his pole and went.  No fancy stuff.

But my adventure the last few days was stopping at The Fly Shack, in Gloversville, NY.  On my way back from Saratoga, took a small detour and picked up some product for the big guy.  This is one of his favorite web sites.  And imagine, its only a hop, skip and jump from my normal route back from my cousins house.

Gloversville is a quaint old town,   First known as "Stump City".. then changed to Gloversville in 1828,  90% of all the leather gloves sold in the United States from 1890 - 1950 came from Gloversville.  Over 200 manufacturers relating to the gloving industry dominated the towns of Gloversville and Johnstown.  I don't think the fly fishing industry will be taking the town over like that, but the fishermen have a good resource in town!

Other Gloversville trivia includes a few notables;  Samuel Goldwyn of MGM Studios in Hollywood emigrated to Gloversville and worked as a glover before making his mark in the movie industry,  Pulitzer prize author Richard Russo and physicist William A. Edelstein, a key developer of MRI scanning.

While the Fly Shack was getting together my order, they suggested I browse around at the antique shop on the corner.  Terry's Antiques is a really cool shop with lots of interesting treasures, especially their owners (Carolyn & Terry Brundige, props..) who I chatted with for a bit .  They had lots of great items, including a Fosteria square crystal cake plate that was gorgeous!  Never seen anything like it... I figured with all the basketball and ping pong going on inside my house I couldn't risk having something like that out, waiting to be hit by some un-identified flying object.  With three boys, you just have to be realistic.  Life can't be all tea sets and crystal.  Rubber and duct tape are sometimes much more practical.

The big guy will read this and wonder how I got from expensive fishing stuff to antique cake plates.  Seems a perfectly logical way of thinking to me :)

"Fishing provides that connection with the whole living world. It gives you the opportunity of being totally immersed, turning back into yourself in a good way. A form of meditation, some form of communion with levels of yourself that are deeper than the ordinary self." - Ted Hughes

No hatch on Oatka Creek yesterday.  The big guy only saw a couple rises. (using nymphs) .....

So, the big guy better get cracking.  An empty fishing net again.  Otherwise I'll have to start a blog about fishing fashions.  hmmm field trips to Macy's one day sales are going to cost more $ than photo hikes :) Ah... but no price tag can be put on a relaxing, fun morning with the hubby...  Saw a blue heron.  Wish I had my better camera with me, that would have been a great picture !

Not sure how these cars ended up here, but in line with the railroad bed so must have once had a road down here ?  They are right along side the hiking trail.

"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains." - Henry David Thorea - Walden

Sunday, May 6th....
Can't divulge where we were yesterday.  Otherwise they wouldn't invite me again.  #3 and I scouted out fish ahead of the big guy and #2.  Saw one that had to be 14" ... they say probably a bass.  Saw a few more but no luck for the boys.  #3 and I called it quits early and waited patiently for them to catch one.  Things just weren't happening for them last night :)  Saw some cool crimson lily pads growing.  #2 and #3  acting goofy and lots of laughs!

More than half the intense enjoyment of fly-fishing is derived from the beautiful surroundings, the satisfaction felt from being in the open air, the new lease of life secured thereby, and the many, many pleasant recollections of all one has seen, heard and done." - Charles F. Orvis

A thunderstorm cut short our jaunt to Round Pond last night.  But it was getting dark anyways and the canoes were loaded on top of the truck just before the heaviest rains came.  The big guy and #2 took one canoe, and #3 and I took off another.  Round Pond leads into Lost Pond, and we made our way over there.  Saw two large turtles, lots of minnows and small fish, a kingfisher, and some pretty scenery.

Mendon Ponds is a unique and special place.  The first historical references of it were found in the journal of a French nobleman, in 1687, describing the pond areas as "three exceedingly pretty little lakes".

The glacial topography of the area is amazing.  In geological terms, many of the ponds are great examples of "kettles", formed when the glaciers retreated and ice became separated from the edges of it.  The ice then melted, and left behind circular depressions called "kettles".  The park has some "kettles" that are ponds and others that are depressions in the earth.  The hiking trails are really fun here too.   

Fish report :  Zippo tonight. But our first canoe of the season and some fun times with the boys !

"Clean Water - What Trout Require and Fishermen Desire" - Brite Fox Flyfishers

The Oatka......(Named by the Seneca for "Leaving the highlands", or "Approaching an Opening")

This latest fishing hole has become my favorites.  As a spectator, there are some great paths to follow for a hike, some interesting railroad remains to explore, and lots of photo opportunities.  We went on Easter Sunday with #2 and #3, on a pretty sunny day.  #3 and I got down to business exploring.  1.7 miles of shoreline of this beautiful creek is open to the public, adjacent to a town park.  Hiking along the shoreline we found lots of pretty flowers starting to blossom, along with lots of evidence of beaver activity.  A large old stone fireplace with chimney was in the distance and we hiked up to it to check it out.  The remnants of an old bridge span the creek, and lead you to more trails.  You would think that it being Easter it would be pretty quiet there, but at least a dozen fishermen were trying their luck in the water. 

The hike itself is fun.  Very tall trees all over and hugging the shoreline.  In one spot it looked like the last windstorm visiting there with a vengeance.  Trees were just toppled everywhere.  One actually arching over the path along the creek. 

We went and explored the remnants of the old railroad, the Rochester & Southern Railroad line that went through this area at one point long ago.  Very cool walking around the moss covered stone foundations.  We walked the paths that were once walked by the Seneca Indians, this area being home to the Seneca Nation Territory, part of the Iroquois Confederation.  In nearby Garbutt, the gypsum mines were abundant, first found and used for fertilizer, then used for building materials.  (Home of Garbutt Gypsum Co. and many other such companies).  Lots of history around here, and from what I hear, lots of great fishing! 

And yes, they caught some fish J

As with a faint star in the night's sky, one can better understand fishing's allure by looking around it, off to the side, not right at it. -- Holly Morris

Two Brown Trout !

Quiet night fishing. at a local hole.  About 60 degrees out, a few bugs, but the rain held out.  Went to a small creek about 10 min from home. A good spot that the big guy frequents weekly.  #2 and #3 passed on the outing in lieu of the Celtics game. 

So this creek is in a small town park that has some hiking trails and backs up to a little league field.  In the past the land in the park was used for timber and then a pear and apple orchard.  The park is in a cute little hamlet. One of the main buildings in town across from the tiny post office has large storefront windows.  It appears to be a residence now, and has mannequin in the window that they dress up per whatever season it is. When my kids were little we would slow down by the “mannequin” house and see what she was dressed in for the day.  They still check her out when we drive by.  What a riot. 

While the big guy sets up for fishing, I took a hike on one of the trails.  Lots of dark, loamy soil, very wet from a soaking morning rain.  Tons of skunk cabbage starting to sprout up.  I see a mallard on the water.  Some pretty flowers on the trail.  We are the only ones at the park tonight.  Usually there are a few other fisherman trying their luck.    I finish my hike and the big guy tells me he got a small brown.  Then he gets another while I am watching.  But night is moving in so we call it a day and head back home.  (BTW, The mannequin has on a pretty flowered spring hat and outfit inspired by May Day, I’m sure !)

Keys to my blog

  The big guy :  My hubby
 #1 :  my oldest son
 #2 :  my middle son
 #3 : my youngest son
The spoiled brat : the family dog, which frequently gets more attention than this lady in pink waders....

"Fish come and go, but it is the memory of afternoons on the stream that endure." - E. Donnall Thomas