It was a day before Mothers Day, a beautiful spring day full of opportunity and gratitude. Natures growth is quick after a cold winter by the river. The suns rays assisting the emergence of many natural phenomenons above and below the water line. This warmth had given me the chance to experience one of angling's most beautiful ways to catch a fish, the " dry fly catch". The fly fisher mimics the hatch of certain adult aquatic insects floating on top of the surface. The Trout key in on these insects by shape and size, thus willingly eating them in a rise form as if in the buffet line.
My dad and I were walking down the river to one of our fishing holes, and my dad saw a fish make a dimple not far downstream just along the bank. Not long after that, it happened again in the same spot. At first, we thought it was a large carp tailing the surface. Although through experience, we know when carp feed its usually always on the move, not likely to hold a single feeding position as Trout do. I got my tenkara rod and line set up quickly and quietly as not to ruin the fishes appetite by scaring it.

Now, what fly to use? During my decisions of fly choice, nature gives me a beautiful sign of encouragement. A medium sized adult stonefly flew its way onto my dads arm,"thats the one". I tied on a size 12 dark deer hair caddis dry, which is very similar in shape and color when fished correctly. I flicked my fly upstream and let the fly drift like a natural insect. The first time wasn't successful, until a second try. A wonderful drift right toward the fish's last location, then the fish took the fly, I set my barbless hook. A yellow- gold flash waked the water, it is a dashing brown trout diving and flipping above water with exciting strength. This fish was making good attempts to free my fly, but I netted this magnificent Trout quickly. Thrilled about this wonderful creature we got to experience, I let the fish go back to the river.
Most people would have made that trout table fare, but that's not why I fish most of the time. I fish to be able to explore the natural spectacles that rivers and lakes provide for human beings. How water binds living organisms as a whole, portraying life's many rich's in so many forms to experience and enjoy. That's why it was a "Rise Worth Experiencing" for my pa and I.....
angling tale by: Sky Pilago Joyner