First Time Micro Fishing

by Ted Naydan
(Charlton, NY)

I've been fly fishing since I was born, but today was my first time out "micro fishing." I just got my Daiwa six foot Tanago Rod. Today I went out to a little stream three minutes from my house and tried out the equipment in one of my secret spots. Rigging up this superfine equipment right at stream side in the middle of a wind really pushes your patience. I can't believe it, but I end up catching one of the rarest fishes in my entire state, that is Upstate NY. It is a Red Fin Shiner, lythrurus umbratilis. I actually caught four of them. It is not yet endangered, but listed as of special concern and considered rare. It was one of the best days fishing I've ever had in my life.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.