We’ve had some unseasonably warm weather this first week of December, so my friend Luis and I decided to take a morning trip to Cold Creek pond to see what was left of the 987 trout planted in the pond about one month ago, probably during the cold snap we had in November so that the trout would survive the tanker delivery truck journey from the hatchery.
The skies were mostly blue with some wisps of clouds, and it was much warmer than I thought it would be at the pond. I brought two rods to fish with. One was my old 8 foot, 5 weight graphite fly rod I built in 1981. It has a thick cigar-style cork grip that works better in my arthritic casting hand. I also brought my little 7 1/2 foot, 4 weight rod because it’s very delicate which makes hooking/playing the small trout more fun and sporting. Unfortunately, the sinking 4-weight line for the dainty fly rod wasn’t getting down to where the trout were holding, so I ended up fishing with the 8 foot, 5 weight (with a full-sink line). It still casts nicely at 43 years old, and I was glad I brought along the old gal.
I was pleased to catch four trout, even if only one was a little longer than 10 inches. The larger trout had a stouter body and darker coloring, although it still looked like a stock trout. As always, all four fish were released.
Luis had some difficulty on this trip. He chose to fish on the southern side of the pond where there is no shrubbery to snag flies. This south side is much shallower than the north side, so snags while stripping back the fly are more common on that side. Although there are no shrubs, that sloping gavel claimed a few of my flies when I struggled with my backcast 20 years ago (bad self-taught habits can be difficult to cure). Regardless of all that, neither Luis nor I are quite sure how it happened, but the tip section of his 8 1/2 foot, 5 weight rod had broken just past the second snake guide from the tip top. Surprisingly, the rod was still able to cast a fly about 30 feet even with the broken tip section (two missing snake guides and no tip top guide).
When we got back to my home, we looked through my rod building pieces-parts for a rod tip with an inside diameter large enough to fit on the end of the broken tip section. We decided one tip top guide might fit on the shortened fourth-section of the rod rendering it somewhat usable. We’ve also decided to contact the company that sold the four piece rod to see if they could replace the broken tip section under warranty or at a cost that would be less than replacing the whole rod. I even thought that a tip section blank (i.e., the unfinished tip section) would allow me to re-wrap the snake guides and tip section myself.
Luis and I were bummed about the broken rod, but I don’t know of any fishermen who love to fish frequently that have not broken a rod or two. Not only have I broken two rods in my lifetime, I lost a complete 8 foot, 5 weight fly rod that I custom built to my specs, along with an Orvis mid-arbor reel that was attached to it when it slipped off my float tube and sank to the bottom of Dacey Reservoir in the Wayne Kirch Wildlife Management Area. Stuff like that happens, it’s just the plight of a fly angler… they call them “rods” because they are more delicate than a “pole.”
To my family and friends, I pray you have a Christmas filled with the hope of Jesus and a New Year of health and prosperity. As to my fellow “pescadores con mosca,” may 2025 bring you many lines tight to a good fish.
May the LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.Numbers 6:24-26
Hey Brother Mark thanks so much sharing the outing you and your Luis took. May God continue to bless you and your family. Merry Christmas to you all…🙏🏾❤️🎄
Thanks Dave. I pray your Christmas holiday is joyous with lots of friends and family.
– Mark
It’s men, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers like you that say everything with be alright. Life is what you make of it. And life is good! I’ve always been very proud of you. Next time I’m in Vegas I’ll be sure to meet up with you. Oh, and remember it was me that said election wouldn’t be close. Just saying…
Hey Cousin, it takes one “old goat” to recognize another. You are my “grandfather” model, a true patriarch of your family. I’d love to meet up with you whenever possible. Meanwhile, stay safe on the highways, as always.
And yes, you were right for which I am also happy.
– Cousin Mark
Thanks Mark for your beautiful pictures and great stories regarding fishing in general. I love days like that when there isn’t another soul around. It’s you , the beautiful landscape that unfolds before your very eyes and always giving thanks to Jesus for time well spent with him. Time to renew , reflect and talk with our Father . I , for one truly relish times like these, especially at Angel lake near Wells, NV. Thanks again and may you and yours have a blessed Christmas and a Healthful New Year 2025. Fred DiRisio
Thank you, Fred. I know everyone has their own “thing” where they enjoy communing with the Lord, but standing in the presence of His creation, alone in nature, really should be on the top of everyone’s list.
Many blessings to you this Christmas!
– Mark
Always admire your wonderful photos!!
Maybe someone will find…or has already found your lost rod…..that is so sad to me. 😔
Thanks for your compliment, Jeannie, but I’m really not a good photographer (I’m certainly no Yvette). But I do know what I personally enjoy seeing from decades of perusing through fly fishing magazines that are noted for their quality angling and landscape photos.
As to the lost rod and reel, it would be nice to know that someone salvaged it and is enjoying fishing it. I built a replacement rod for it, so I don’t grieve over its loss. I did buy a replacement reel with extra spools and fly line (which fellow fly anglers would recognize as costly). As I wrote in the post, sometimes breaking/losing stuff in the outdoors goes hand in hand with the adventure.
Best to you and Jim,
– Mark
Hi Mark,
I enjoyed the visit you & Luis made to Cold Creek. I had no idea there was a small hamlet named Cold Creek nearby. Nice way to wrap up 2024 Fisher Dad!
Enjoy the coming Christmas celebration with family & friends grateful that He is the reason for all seasons & the great outdoors is a priceless example of gifts He has freely given “to whosoever will come!”
Jim
Thank you Jim. I’m glad you follow my journeys and enjoy them.
Blessings,
– Mark
I enjoyed your Fisher Dad letter, as usual! A very merry Christmas to you and your family!
Judy
Thank you Judy, your comments always give me a smile. I miss our Albertson’s visits. 😁
I pray you have a joyful Christmas season, and that 2025 brings you health and happiness.
– Mark
Hey Mark, I feel as if I’m with you on outings when I read your messages. Such a great escape, not only in person, but with you in the pages that you pen! Thanks for sharing and so good to see you and Denise at our 50th. I am bummed though …Why? No group shot of LA Bomba crew and I wanted to coax Wade Wilson into singing a solo. The entire night at Suzanne Ds went way to fast, like life itself. I thank God for our families, friendship and Faith. Continued blessings to you and yours! Steve B.
Steve, your comments mean a lot to me. Who would have predicted that we would meet as classmates 56 years or so years ago. That we would become part of the infamous LaBomba Crew in high school, and remain close friends right into our grand fatherhood! But best of all, we are brothers in Christ who keep each other sharp (Proverbs 27:17). Steve, I am grateful to have you in my life, even if it’s because of my Denise and her coffee. 🤣
I know the Lord smiles upon you!
– Mark