We’ve all been taught to “read the water”… by all the great writers on fly fishing.
I learned, on my recent fishing trip, to also “read the trees”. For some reason, the photo doesn’t show it too clearly, but there must be at least 50 strike indicators on this little tree which screams: Fish nymphs here!!!
Too funny! My interpretation would be “fish nymph rigs here at your own risk”, “owner not responsible for lost or stolen gear…” 
Kelly.
Very good Kelly
I’ve seen Christmas trees with far fewer “decorations”!
Great-looking little spot there… but that tree might be a little too aggressive?
Hilarious.
Is that a fishing deck on the bank in the middle of the first photo?
Maybe a side-arm, tuck cast…
with a reverse angle mend???
Kelly.
No, a walking path that follows the stream on the opposite side.
Funny you mention this,
Often times if you take the time to study a trees reflection on the water
you can see a fish whereabouts by its disturbing of the surface film as they move.
What appeared to be a straight tree trunk line suddenly acquires an S-bend.
Often times I will scout other object reflections as well… the sudden blur of a barns outline
So many tricks to our wonderful little trade of fly fishing…
I love this hobby of ours…
A good book for reference to keep in your day pack
is “Understanding Trout Behavior” by Goddard and Clark.
This little book is very well written and each time you open it
you get another gold nugget to put in your kit of tricks.
Be safe!
Byron,
Bet I know where that was taken. Bennett Spring in zone 2 across from the hatchery outlet. As I recall, you made a reply to one of my other posts somewhere stating you were friends with Charlie Reading. I often visit with him when I go down to Bennett. I live in Mexico,Mo and go to Bennett several times a year.
Back to your picture-several years ago my wife and I stopped by Bennett on the way back from Arkansas and were sitting in the car across from that tree. All of a sudden a teenage boy walked down that far path and climbed out on that branch and started picking off the indicators, flies and lures. We thought for sure the branch would break under his weight and, as you know, the stream is pretty deep there. He made it back okay though.
Regards,
Dave
Exactly!! You win the cigar.
Have you seen the big arch Charlie has built out by the highway at his shop? Huge!!!
That’s the reason you were going to be my first round draft choice in the fantasy fishing league until this thing with the bum wheel came up.
Yea, I saw it when he was putting it up and made the mistake of asking him if he was putting in a McDonald’s. Man, did that send him ballistic. Guess he had heard it about a thousand times.
He is quite a character and has to have one of the best flyshops in the country. He must have a fortune in inventory in that place. A fantastic collection of books.
Dave
Byron,
When I saw the title to this thread I thought it was going to be about shaking some branches streamside to see what insects fly/fall out! LOL!! That kid should get one of those extension poles that have the tree trimmer and saw blade on the end. We didn’t have those (strike indicators or extension poles) when I was a kid. Could have made a killing on recovered lures/flies etc.!! Thanks for the thread. I can see most of the indicators in your pics!!
Best regards, Dave S.
A poster I purchased of Bennett Spring
Photo I took of the dam at Bennett Spring
Byron, thanks for the Memories! I am a retired Mo. State Park Ranger and worked Bennet Springs on several March 1st. I enjoyed the pictures very much. I worked Bennet several times but never fished it, spend my fishing time chasing BG’s. Take care, John.
When I saw that picture I said to my self I know that very tree so there can’t be 2 like it can there? That is a great bank to fish crackle backs just about any time but especially in the fall. I missed our spring trip this year because I was at Rochester getting some treatments, and since I used up all my vacation I probably won’t get there this fall either, but look out next spring. I might even try to get down there for the opening day madness. What is the reason of the big arch over the casting pool anyway?
Thanks for the support. If I can’t do it, at least I can talk like I can do it :roll:
As an aside, those pics would make a great Thingamabobber commercial…
Kelly.
Funny you mention this,
Often times if you take the time to study a trees reflection on the water
you can see a fish whereabouts by its disturbing of the surface film as they move.
What appeared to be a straight tree trunk line suddenly acquires an S-bend.
Often times I will scout other object reflections as well… the sudden blur of a barns outline
So many tricks to our wonderful little trade of fly fishing…
I love this hobby of ours…
A good book for reference to keep in your day pack
is “Understanding Trout Behavior” by Goddard and Clark.
This little book is very well written and each time you open it
you get another gold nugget to put in your kit of tricks.
Be safe!
Looks like there’ll be a whole colony of tangle gremlins in there.
Cheers,
C.