TR: Salmon R., other stuff

Okay, first of all, I took a dive (on dry land, fortunately) that
would make Frank proud. Trucking back to the road at a good pace
along the streamside path, my Korker caught a lump of grass, and I
pitched forward. Tried to get my leg under me again, but with the
added weight of wading boots & Korkers, I just didn’t clear the lump;
and I was going down as if someone had grabbed both my ankles. And I
mean going down fast. Often, these little experiences happen in slow
motion, but I was 6’’ from the ground before I knew what was
happening. I had the presence of mind to toss the rod clear just
before my chest slammed into the rock. Damn, I haven’t hit the ground
that hard since I was much younger. I didn’t even get my arms down to
break my fall; it was chest, meet earth. Oof. Had to sit up & take
stock of myself after that one; but except for some right side chest
pain on deep breaths, I seem to have suffered no lasting ill effects.
Needless to say, I’m told it was a quite amusing spectacle for the non-
participants.

Next, it was friggin cold on Sunday morning. Yeah, I knew this in
advance and dressed accordingly, but even with all of the warm gear,
the chill was beginning to seep through by the time Mr. Sun crept over
the horizon. The mist off the river, as always, was beautiful in the
morning light. By 9 or 10, we were starting to peel off the layers.

Also, Storytellers in Pulaski was closed. WTF? First the C&M goes
belly up, now this? We were reduced to dinner at the Altmar Hotel
which, no aspersions intended, is a fine place to eat lunch.

Lastly, kudos to the NYDEC for the rule changes and enforcement for
the ffo stretch. No more lead chuckers using fly rods to circumvent
the intent of ”ffo”. A couple guys got busted while we were there.
The ffo stretch was noticeable less crowded and more pleasant. It was
a pleasure watching other guys actually fly fish for a change.

Joe F.