November 2, 2025 – A Tough One a Couple Days Too Long After Some Rain – Northampton County

One trout landed...

I still don’t have a vehicle, but my wife was kind enough to give me our one car to do a little therapeutic fishing this morning.  I was hopeful that the rain late in the week did some good, until I saw how brief the spikes on the gages were.  Saturday was still blowing after the front, but today’s wind was manageable.  It was cold, however.  With the extra hour of sleep due to clocks falling back, I was up and out bright and early.  I was streamside at sunrise, and it was only a few clicks above freezing, maybe 36F to start.  I did not drive that far from home, and planned to explore a section of creek that gets pounded as of late, so I wanted to be the first mitch out there.  With the water low and only slightly colored, it was not a bad plan in theory, but brown trout are dicks.  These fish in this here crick are no exception, but often times the holdover rainbows don’t get the memo and can keep it interesting.  Not today.  I did not catch YOY or suckers or chubs, which means the conditions had all the finned species feeling off.  I did not see ducks until 9 AM, and I spooked bedding deer twice at a time of day when I’d expect them to be moving around pre-rut—I did see two large bucks who were not happy with my bushwhacking!  I too was off my game.

A bluebird fall morning, chilly too.  Low water woes continue.

I resumed my second campaign on the war on leaves on Saturday, so I was feeling the effects of allergies from all the dust I kicked up with mower and blower. I also forgot to pack polarized sunglasses this morning—I have everything I need in my mobile fishing vehicle (RIP) typically. I remembered a buff and a couple other essentials, but did not remember one of the most essential fishing tools, especially in low, clear water when stealth and vision are necessary for success. I also rigged up with a fresh micro-mono rig last night, and I must of have been half blind from the allergens because I had technical issues (spool tangles) about an hour into my fishing. I had to unwind line and rerig, thankfully before I hooked and landed my one and only fish. I also tied on some potentially effective bugs last night in the garage, and those knots must of have been shite as well because I broke off my first fish with a gentle hookset. Things were just off, but I did connect with a solid holdover rainbow that was in nearly perfect shape when I had to rise to the occasion for a second (and final) time. Had I missed, it truly would have been a missed opportunity. Besides the first fish that I broke off with a normal hookset and bad knots, this bow was the only other taker in 5 hours of fishing! Tough day, but it was good to be outside on an autumn morning, alone on a pressured old favorite. I will get my act together again soon, I hope, at least in time for striped bass.  It is almost time to quit the trouts already!  I saw my first redd this morning....

Bonus shot.  A pretty holdover, anyway ;)