My Beamoc Trip

Well, things have momentarily slowed down here at work, so I can take a
minute to talk about my trip.

Arrive Thursday PM in Roscoe, stopped in some flyshops to load up on big
flies (mistake one, as none of my takes were on anything larger than a 16
all weekend), cause I was covered for everything size 10 and down.
Picked up Drakes, Coffin Flies, and the like.

Got to Twin Island Campsite, and was impressed from the moment I drove
in. The place is on two islands in the middle of the Beaverkill, right
in the special fishing area near schoolhouse pool. The water was a
little high to drive my Subaru Legend Wagon across to the Main Island,
where our cabins were. It's pretty funny-- the road to the island must
be decades old, and actually ran about 6-8 inches under the water!
Anyhow, a coupla wheelbarrow loads of gear, and I'm snug in my cabin.

Went fishing on a pool I saw as I was crossing the footbridge (I was
careful to obey the "4 people only" sign on the bridge!) between the main
camp and the main island. I went immediately to the far bank, to drag
some nymphs by the undercut-- no luck. Fished this way to near dark,
w/o success. As my friend and I walked out of the river, a wonderful
gent who spends about 6 months out of the year was nice enough to tell us
that we were standing where we shoulda been fishing, and had chased all
the fish to the top of the pool. He points at where fish started rising
as soon as we walked out (mistake two). I asked my friend if he wanted
to go back in, and when he said no, I tied on a size 16 sulphur Usual,
and proceeded to haul in an 18" brown trout--I made the right decision on
fishing the 5wt instead of the 3.

Friday, I could only fish until 8PM, as the TU State Council Exec Meeting
started at 9 at the Museum in Livingston Manor. Stuck to the campground.
Not much luck-- hooked a 12 incher sometime during the day, but he spat
my hook back at me. Went to the meeting, got back at a quarter to one,
hit the sack and got some sleep despite a loudly snoring roomie.

Saturday morning, got up in time to hit the Roscoe Diner for some Deep
Fried French Toast and sausage. This year, I even remembered to order a
Bloody Mary, which was served by a young lady who the maker had been very
kind to. After the feast, went to the State Council general meeting,
which lasted until about 4. Got back to the campsite in the rain,
couldn't find my baseball cap (last years Penn's hat, actually-- bummer!)
that fit nice under my wading jacket hood, went to the museum to buy a
new one, museum was closed, bought one in Catskill Flies in Roscoe. Back
to the campsite to gear up. This time, I fished the far end of the
island, on again off again rain. Hooked a veritable monster, at least
20", on a size 16 sulpher. My friend downstream says "want me to net
him??" and I said "no thanks" (mistake three). I have very little
experience fighting big fish on a 5X tippet. I kept this fish on a
while, but I could barely budge him. Once, I got his head up, and with
his mouth open, it was like looking into a Largemouth Bass. This fish
was big. Soon after that, he broke off. Went back to camp, drank much
scotch and beer, but felt good about fooling that fish, even if I didn't
get him to my net. Hell, he wouldn't have fit in my net, anyway.

Sunday morning, back the the diner to enjoy waffles-- no Bloody Mary this
time-- was still feeling the Scotch. Broke camp, and most of my gear got
a lift to my car by my friend Frank who drove his Explorer on to the
Island on Friday Evening. Left camp, parked and fished one of the pools
on old route 17, had one small one on for about 2 seconds on a size 20
BWO tied w/ a CDC wing before he spat the hook.

Great time, great campsite. Didn't get to fish the Willowemoc this
year, as I was casting over great fish right on my doorstep. Next year,
I think I might take a guide to show me how nymphs work in that damn
place.

Scott