Home again, home again

I drove to my 'home water' again about noon today, hoping for baetis.

I went a few miles further upstream to a historic Gold Rush town where
the character of the river changes dramatically. Where I fished a
couple days ago is very 'valley riparian' in nature, few big rocks,
mostly shallow riffle followed by a deeperbut not too deep pool, banks
very brushy with LOTS of berry vines.

As you can see http://www.kimshew.com/flyfish/photos/KFStan.jpg just
4 miles of so makes a big difference and the river is much more of a
mountain canyon style stream.

I let my gear in the car and went walking. It was a gray and dreary
day and mainly I was looked for a change from house-bound boredom ...
I didn't expect much. But I came upon an area ( the photo ) with
several small fish rising to baetis. They were small enough that
going back to get a rod seemed too much effort and I simply watched
for a half hour or so, hoping to learn a bit as I usually do when I
lay my rod down and look instead of fish. Soon a few 'decent' fish
joined the feeding and I couldn't resist.

By the time I returned to the truck, strung a rod and walked back to
the river ... it was all but over ... of course ;-( I did
hook one little guy and only then did I realize I had made no plan for
success. I was on a rock well above the river and a steep one ...
landing a fish was virtually impossible. I gave the little guy some
slack and, luckily, he managed to shake free. Made me feel like a
bit of a fool ( not an uncommon feeling for me )