I fished the Farmington a lot back in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. On a weekday you could still have the river mostly to yourself. It housed a resident population of wild fish and lots of stocked fish as well. As a tailwater, there was usually some action going on, and the resident population of large fish (some in the 6-7 pound range) always made it interesting. I loved the days I spent there – I met several anglers over the years there who became friends.
A few of the local eats that kept us fed in those early mornings and late nights;
With some Manistee River Chrome;
Watching Ben lay out 70-80 yards of line was to watch poetry in motion; Ben is one of the superb casters, angler, guide and teacher in the business.
A lovely Catskill River boasting a nice population of wild fish. Lot’s of great pocket water makes it a haven for Rainbows.
Blewett Tract; Near Walpack Center, N.J., c1968
Below Wilson Dam in Florence, Alabama
Dennis was a superb guide below Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River. Alex and I would fish with him whenever we were in Sheffield (Shoals Area) visiting Deb’s family. The Tennessee is massive in this area, and Wilson Dam is a massive hydro dam supplying electricity to the Shoals area. The river is rich in Catfish (Channels & Blues) to 100 lbs! Striped Bass, trophy Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass as well as many other warm water species. Dennis was a good ol’ boy – always “up”, always teaching – with a great knowledge of the waters and the fish. I miss his sunny personality and love of the sport – and we miss fishing with him.
Some early magazine articles/writers from “Outdoor Life, ” “Field & Stream,” and “Sports Afield” that were huge influences on my love of trout and salmon fishing. Writers such as Ray Bergman, Ted Janes, Peter Barrett, Ernie Schweibert, A.J. McLaine, Rodrick Haig Brown, John Alden Knight and so many more, kept my piscatorial passions burning. Most of these shown are from 1958-1960.
