Winter Solstice 2013

-- Winter Solstice 2013 --

It's been awhile since the last post and I thought it would be nice to share some of the simple winter beauty found today in the New England woods, next to the stream, while out fly fishing with my son, Matt (aka Troutdoors), on the shortest day of the year.

The winter solstice is my favorite day. It's the turn of the season and as the days get longer, spring is on the doorstep.

It's been about a month since I've wet a line, and with Matt back from school for the Christmas break, I dragged him kicking and screaming out to our local river.


Temperatures have been very cold this year and many of the local ponds are already iced over so we weren't sure if there would be open water. With today's temp reaching the mid 50's and the sun out, we had no excuses not to get out.

 With over a foot of snow on the ground from the last two weekend storms, I'm glad Matt had the Troutmobile to get us into the unplowed access lot.

 We suited up and started the 1/2 mile walk to the river. We had the place to ourselves.

Happy to find some open water, Matt started drifting a small midge.

Matt got a couple bumps while I worked the water upstream. Water temps were 34 degrees, so neither of us expected much action.

After about 40 minutes, we swapped locations and I hooked up on an 8 inch rainbow with a size 22 zebra midge. Got the fish about 5 feet from the net and it executed a flawless long distance release.

I've been on this river the last several winters and have never seen it as frozen as today this early in the season. So much for global warming.... Oh yeah, it's called climate change now.

Overall, a great day on the water.

God bless and wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

One closing note, in case you where living under a rock this fall. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series!