Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata
The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
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Report at a Glance
| General Region | Lower West Branch of the Delaware River |
| Specific Location | You know I can't devulge exactly where I fish |
| Dates Fished | September 23 |
| Time of Day | 6:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. |
| Fish Caught | Wild rainbow and wild browns |
| Conditions & Hatches | No bugs but a very good streamer bite due to the high and turbid water conditions. |
Details and Discussion
Wbranch on Oct 1, 2017October 1st, 2017, 4:43 am EDT
Fished only Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The river was quite turbid with only about 8" of clarity. The flow was right around 1000 cfs. I fished a stretch about 75 yards long and turned eight fish and landed six. One 16" rainbow and five browns from 13" to 17". Beautiful day on the river. Saw a couple adult bald eagles and an immature eagle.
I didn't land any big fish but I did hook a bruiser and had him on few minutes before it jumped and threw the barbless hook.
I only fished a few hours because on Friday I was on the Susky with the bass boat and totally blew my back out trying to lift the motor while standing on the transom so I could clear some grass out of the intake on the jet. The pain was so severe by Monday that my wife and I left at 10:00 a.m. and while driving made an appointment to go to an orthopedic hospital in York.
It looks like my fishing might be done for 2017. I was diagnosed, after an X-ray and a MRI, with degenerative spinal arthritis and spinal stenosis. At 74 years old I have to really think it through if I want to undergo major surgery that has a recovery period to pre operation mobility of 8 - 12 months. My condition entails too many vertebrae to have the operation with only a one inch incision and a 1 - 2 month recovery period
I didn't land any big fish but I did hook a bruiser and had him on few minutes before it jumped and threw the barbless hook.
I only fished a few hours because on Friday I was on the Susky with the bass boat and totally blew my back out trying to lift the motor while standing on the transom so I could clear some grass out of the intake on the jet. The pain was so severe by Monday that my wife and I left at 10:00 a.m. and while driving made an appointment to go to an orthopedic hospital in York.
It looks like my fishing might be done for 2017. I was diagnosed, after an X-ray and a MRI, with degenerative spinal arthritis and spinal stenosis. At 74 years old I have to really think it through if I want to undergo major surgery that has a recovery period to pre operation mobility of 8 - 12 months. My condition entails too many vertebrae to have the operation with only a one inch incision and a 1 - 2 month recovery period
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Troutnut on Oct 1, 2017October 1st, 2017, 6:56 pm EDT
It looks like my fishing might be done for 2017. I was diagnosed, after an X-ray and a MRI, with degenerative spinal arthritis and spinal stenosis. At 74 years old I have to really think it through if I want to undergo major surgery that has a recovery period to pre operation mobility of 8 - 12 months.
I'm sorry to hear about that! Tough decision.
I'm glad you got to tangle with a bunch of decent fish... hopefully they'll hold you over for a while til you can get back on the water.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Roguerat on Oct 2, 2017October 2nd, 2017, 7:17 am EDT
Matt,
Sorry to hear about your health issues, and hope you get back on the water when the Doc's clear you for it...nowhere near your level of stuff but I lost the most of 2007 when I broke both ankles and heels and was laid up for a while, but I took their advice and instructions to heart and would encourage you to listen to your Doc's as well.
My nail-knots are getting a lot better thanks to your admonishment and encouragement; arm-chair knots look a lot better than onstream but both are workable and don't slip. THANKS! for your wisdom here, as well as in a lot of other fly-fishing things.
Best wishes and a better season to come,
Roguerat
'Less is more...'
Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe
Sorry to hear about your health issues, and hope you get back on the water when the Doc's clear you for it...nowhere near your level of stuff but I lost the most of 2007 when I broke both ankles and heels and was laid up for a while, but I took their advice and instructions to heart and would encourage you to listen to your Doc's as well.
My nail-knots are getting a lot better thanks to your admonishment and encouragement; arm-chair knots look a lot better than onstream but both are workable and don't slip. THANKS! for your wisdom here, as well as in a lot of other fly-fishing things.
Best wishes and a better season to come,
Roguerat
'Less is more...'
Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe
Partsman on Oct 2, 2017October 2nd, 2017, 2:20 pm EDT
Good luck Matt, as someone who has suffered with severe back pain since my early 20,s I know the extreme pain you are going through. I hope your doctors are able to help you make the right decision for you. I'm knocking on wood right now because its been a couple of years since I have really had the spasms.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Mike.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Mike.
PaulRoberts on Oct 23, 2017October 23rd, 2017, 2:24 am EDT
Sorry to hear, Matt. Yes, that's a tough decision. Selfishly, I'm hoping you'll be back fishing next season. In the mean-time, your posts are extremely valuable and I hope you keep at it while you recoup.
Hey, nice bit of fishing there. Always loved that streamer fishing... Wop! Wop! Wop! :)
Hey, nice bit of fishing there. Always loved that streamer fishing... Wop! Wop! Wop! :)
Martinlf on Oct 23, 2017October 23rd, 2017, 11:37 am EDT
Matt, hope you're feeling better.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Wbranch on Nov 1, 2017November 1st, 2017, 9:51 am EDT
Hello everyone,
I have made much improvement in having less pain. I stopped taking the Gabepentin entirely about two weeks ago and have reduced the stronger pan pill from 300 mg a day to just 100 mg. I still have some minor leg pain but since the pain has diminished so much that I'm not sure if getting an epidural pain block injection is really needed any more. I need to discuss this with the neurosurgeon I have been seeing.
I can't get the epidural while there is a chance the small blood clot in my right leg is still present. My PCP told me if I continue to take the Eliquis for two months there is a very good likelihood that the clot will have dissolved.
I was able to walk today for the first time without my walker. I had to use two canes and it wasn't pretty and I only walked about 20 feet but it was progress. I'm exercising to rebuild the musculature I lost from sitting still for almost six weeks in my leather swivel chair.
I have made much improvement in having less pain. I stopped taking the Gabepentin entirely about two weeks ago and have reduced the stronger pan pill from 300 mg a day to just 100 mg. I still have some minor leg pain but since the pain has diminished so much that I'm not sure if getting an epidural pain block injection is really needed any more. I need to discuss this with the neurosurgeon I have been seeing.
I can't get the epidural while there is a chance the small blood clot in my right leg is still present. My PCP told me if I continue to take the Eliquis for two months there is a very good likelihood that the clot will have dissolved.
I was able to walk today for the first time without my walker. I had to use two canes and it wasn't pretty and I only walked about 20 feet but it was progress. I'm exercising to rebuild the musculature I lost from sitting still for almost six weeks in my leather swivel chair.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Roguerat on Nov 1, 2017November 1st, 2017, 10:06 am EDT
Matt-
Great news, and good to hear from you!
Do what the doc's say, keep working at it and this may sound cliche' but 'one step at a time' really applies.
best wishes,
Roguerat
'Less is more...'
Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe
Great news, and good to hear from you!
Do what the doc's say, keep working at it and this may sound cliche' but 'one step at a time' really applies.
best wishes,
Roguerat
'Less is more...'
Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe
Fabcny on Nov 22, 2017November 22nd, 2017, 6:06 am EST
That looks (and sounds) like the perfect day fishing.
"Not all who wander are lost..."
Afishinado on Nov 23, 2017November 23rd, 2017, 11:40 pm EST
Hello everyone,
I have made much improvement in having less pain. I stopped taking the Gabepentin entirely about two weeks ago and have reduced the stronger pan pill from 300 mg a day to just 100 mg. I still have some minor leg pain but since the pain has diminished so much that I'm not sure if getting an epidural pain block injection is really needed any more. I need to discuss this with the neurosurgeon I have been seeing.
I can't get the epidural while there is a chance the small blood clot in my right leg is still present. My PCP told me if I continue to take the Eliquis for two months there is a very good likelihood that the clot will have dissolved.
I was able to walk today for the first time without my walker. I had to use two canes and it wasn't pretty and I only walked about 20 feet but it was progress. I'm exercising to rebuild the musculature I lost from sitting still for almost six weeks in my leather swivel chair.
Hey Matt,
It sounds like you're making progress. I know what it's like to have to sit on the bank, while others fish. I tore a calf muscle in my leg two years ago and ended up getting a blood clot in that leg. While my injury wasn't near as debilitating as yours, it was tough to be sitting on the bank pretty much the whole season.
I'm a lot like you, always active and out fishing whenever I can. Hang in there! I'll bet you'll be out there for the Hendricksons (oh, this is Troutnut...."Ephemerella subvaria" :-) ) on "D" this spring! Just keep tying some up for the hatch.
Get well soon.
Tom
Wbranch on Nov 24, 2017November 24th, 2017, 3:00 am EST
Hi Tom and everyone of my Troutnut friends,
I have stopped taking all the pain pills about two weeks ago. I went from having excruciating pain all up and down my left leg and most of my right leg to absolutely no pain in either leg.
I started physical therapy a week ago yesterday and go to in patient PT twice a week. I perform half a dozen leg strengthening exercises at home twice a day trying to perform 30 repetitions of some of the exercises. I stopped using the walker at home and have gone over to my cane. I can get around better than I had anticipated and can see now that I will have no trouble getting into my Hyde even if I am still not at 100%. I have a couple of close friends who are going to launch the boat for me and row.
I was wondering if I might have wading issues during my annual Montana trip. You only live once so if wading is out I've decided to rent a drift boat for all ten days. The outfitter puts the boat in the water and when I get to the take out all I do is drop the anchor and they come an pick it up.
I have stopped taking all the pain pills about two weeks ago. I went from having excruciating pain all up and down my left leg and most of my right leg to absolutely no pain in either leg.
I started physical therapy a week ago yesterday and go to in patient PT twice a week. I perform half a dozen leg strengthening exercises at home twice a day trying to perform 30 repetitions of some of the exercises. I stopped using the walker at home and have gone over to my cane. I can get around better than I had anticipated and can see now that I will have no trouble getting into my Hyde even if I am still not at 100%. I have a couple of close friends who are going to launch the boat for me and row.
I was wondering if I might have wading issues during my annual Montana trip. You only live once so if wading is out I've decided to rent a drift boat for all ten days. The outfitter puts the boat in the water and when I get to the take out all I do is drop the anchor and they come an pick it up.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Jmd123 on Nov 28, 2017November 28th, 2017, 9:33 am EST
Best of luck Matt with healing up your injuries and getting back out there! I hope you continue to make progress and by golly, if ya can't wade, get that boat! And if you ever get up this way, the Rifle is easy wading...
Get well soon!
Jonathon
P.S. BTW beautiful fishies!
Get well soon!
Jonathon
P.S. BTW beautiful fishies!
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Wbranch on Nov 28, 2017November 28th, 2017, 10:33 am EST
Hi Jonathon,
I'm not giving up by any means but if after all the PT and home exercising I still am unable to walk without a cane I surely would rent a drift boat for most of the Montana trip. Same at my cabin, but instead of using my Hyde which is too heavy to just push over the bank I will buy a little 10' Jon boat and chain it to a tree in front of the cabin.
Then just walk down the stairs I plan on having built and row out into my home pool and be able to cover all those big wild browns.
if ya can't wade, get that boat!
I'm not giving up by any means but if after all the PT and home exercising I still am unable to walk without a cane I surely would rent a drift boat for most of the Montana trip. Same at my cabin, but instead of using my Hyde which is too heavy to just push over the bank I will buy a little 10' Jon boat and chain it to a tree in front of the cabin.
Then just walk down the stairs I plan on having built and row out into my home pool and be able to cover all those big wild browns.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
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