Conococheague/Falling Springs, 07/12/24

Finally after two years my old high-school buddy pulled the trigger and came up to fish while he was in visiting other high-school friends. Us “Old Guys” from the Knob where we grew up are family. We did everything together. I marked it off Go Guide so I did not get booked and we are fishing again Saturday. Dan has used a fly rod, but not much with flies. Just like we all started back in the day. So I took him to the “Jig” and we fished there from 8AM until around 11AM. We finished up around 1PM. It was nice while the sun stayed behind the clouds, but by noon the clouds lifted and it became muggy and 85 degrees. The water is clear and if you know where springs come in you can find fishable water. We started in 64 degrees water temps. but as we fished they became warm. I started by teaching Dan how to false cast and was not long he was casting well enough that he missed three trout. Still something was off. Told my buddy to give me a second so I switched his reel to mine loaded with SA Mastery Infinity fly line. Well casting issue solved cause he said he could now feel the rod load.

The Falling Springs was perfect flow, 61 and we saw mostly bottom hugging trout just sunning themselves. We worked on a mending and reading water. The biggest issue I see this year is the line control. Unless your shooting line keep that line loosely in your non casting hand. Because in past trips and today if you are fumbling around to regain control, slack line is now on the water, trout takes equaling missed fish. Dan had two takes, one lost on crickets including one easily around 16 inches. It was a awesome morning catching up with a great high-school buddy who still has the “Ville” in his blood.