Codgers on Ice

My good friends Adriano Manocchia (www.adriano-art.com) and Rich Norman (a banker, but let's not hold that against him) have been getting together on the Batten Kill on January first for a couple years; this year they invited me and a couple other fellows.  Well, the stars aligned, the winds died down and the temp even climbed into the mid-20's, so I fired up the F-150, put it 4-wheel to get out of the driveway, and headed over to New York.  Our target water was the "trophy section" of the Batten Kill, where its fly fishing only, catch and release and open water (relative term.  It can, I suppose, be closed by ice) year 'round.

Here's the group:

Left to right we have Adriano Manocchia, yours truly needing a haircut desperately, Rich Norman, Mike Valla (author of awesome book, "Tying Catskill-style Dry Flies") and new acqaintance Roger Clark.  Note well: there is no one, to my knowledge, in this group under the age of 60.

Several friends have asked me how the fishing was.  Speaking for myself and my 12'6 6wt 2-hander, I uncorked a great cast after about 5 minutes in the water, hooking many branches on the opposite shore, broke off, and realized I forgot my fanny pack.  So, for me, it was back to the truck, several hundred yards.  And the cognac looked sooooo good and warm...

And the cigars, let's not forget the cigars!

Despite outward appearances, it was actually quite pleasant down on the river:

Obligatory snow on equipment pics:

All told, it was a delightful afternoon...what a great way to start the New Year!

CHEERS!