Sunday Fundays are a common theme for us here at Serenity Now Outfitters. Normally we’re open Monday – Saturday, and on some occasions Sunday as well. Its imperative that we can get a chance to unplug and recharge from time to time, and the last day of the week is normally the only chance we can get away…
Unbelievably, we’ve been fortunate enough to be out the last 4 weeks in a row, visiting some beautiful country and spending time with solid folks who share our passion for the outdoors and fly fishing.
The first Sunday was spent with none other than the heralded Dave Breitmeier along the banks of the Elk River. http://www.elkfisher.com/index.html Deemed “the Elkfisher”, Dave is known to possess great knowledge and experience on the popular stream, as well as a prominent flytyer, featured in the go to guide for microflies in the book Midge Magic. Ice melt slowed the bite, but a few fish were brought to hand, and a few of the much anticipated larger stones were seen crawling around on the snow covered banks. Won’t be long now!
The following week River and I fished solo on our home waters of Second Creek. Water levels were higher than normal, with water temps in the upper 30s due to ongoing snow and ice melt. Streamers fished down and across coughed up a couple rainbows, including this healthy 23 incher that River couldn’t help but admire.
Brutally cold conditions followed the next Sunday, with high temps in the low teens. We only fished for 45 minutes, that’s 45 minutes longer than anyone else on the stream that day. We had the place to ourselves. Guides froze in the first 5 minutes, with the reel following roughly 10 minutes later. Three fish hooked and lost, and based upon my numbness in my fingers, and the icicles growing exponentially on River’s coat, we called it a short day. My hands were so cold I couldn’t even open my jacket pocket to snap a pic or two. Sitting in the truck afterwards blaring the heat and Steely Dan never felt so good.
The last Sunday on the series of four was spent in much warmer conditions, along the famous Mosquito Lagoon of eastern Florida. Justin Price of https://www.rightinsightcharters.com/ guided us through the destination fishery, exposing us to the beauty and spectacle that is Mosquito Lagoon. Amazing number of flats boats, canoes, stand up paddleboards, and kayaks on the water, yet Justin has enough time and experience on the system to escape the masses. I believe he could navigate the area in the his sleep. Conditions were tough, yet we managed to land a nice red on the fly right at the wire. Red is slowly becoming our favorite color 😉 (Photo courtesy of Captain Justin Price)
So there you have it… 4 Sundays of Longrodding for the swimfishes. Much appreciation to those who spent the hours with us. Looking forward to the next trip, and as always, catch, photo, and release.
– Craig Miller (Serenity Now Outfitters)