Well up to this point of winter 2023-24 hasn't been much more than a series of rain events. We even had a little more last night. It looks like this week temps will drop, today it's already 55 degrees out at 9 a.m., and with it some snow. I like "some snow" especially up north where it's healthy for the rivers.
The Delaware is dropping, now down to 56,000 cfs., but the trees are still making there way down off the banks and getting all caught on the piers and construction zones in the river. Water temps are above normal, which is good, but not good. We don't need early warm waters. Let's just have the 40 degree waters gradually increase in temp, and stay there, before, during and after the anadromous fish do their thing. 40's to 60's back down into the 30's and then 50's isn't good, not for the fish or the fly fishermen.
And with the warmer temps comes a delayed cabin fever. People are still fishing out front, remember on the beaches, as the bays and rivers are still closed. Above was a post from Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park of a happy camper with a keeper bass that ate some cut mullet. There are people fishing illegally, you know who you are, so just stop it. They are closed for a reason and you're honey hole is a refuge for the fish to winter over in, not a bathtub for you to fish in and feed your ego.
Show season has kicked off with The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough last weekend, Denver next weekend and Edison the weekend of January 27, 28, 29th. Today and tomorrow is the Virginia Fly Tying and Wine Festival down near Richmond Virginia and next weekend is the Stock the Box event up in Newport.
Now back to Edison. In recent years it has been a one and done kind of day for me. I looked at the website HERE and the line up of speakers, presentations, and classes and was impressed. There seems to be a lot offered over the three days. Alan Caolo is the guy I want to see and he has a bunch of presentations he is doing. Abbie Shuster is doing a Martha's Vineyard talk on Saturday but I'll be bellying up to the fly tying table at Squimpish during that time slot. Maybe I can shift a few minutes either way to catch her.
And remember last year I wrote "Who's going to save fly fishing?", HERE, I explored movers and shakers in the industry past and present, and maybe the future. I see that George Daniel is back as a big name at The Fly Fishing Show. Remember, you read it here, well who cares what I think, right? But my prediction is in 2024 Tom Rosenbauer retires after a long and fantastic run at Orvis. I hope he's
going away with a package from Orvis that is very, very lucrative. He's about as a face of a company as there has ever been. He deserves it, and will be missed. So who steps up? My prediction of possible candidates, not to replace Tom, but keep the torch lit, will be George Daniel or Tim Flagler. I don't think they'll promote someone from within, although master caster Pete Kutzer is young and good enough so he might be a good fit.
And my opening "Dam, that's an expensive class..." is just my reaction to a typo on TFFS website. If true, some time with Gary Borger and Mac Brown would set you back $627.25. And not to knit pick, but how do you come up with a class entry fee of $97.25? I know, just shut up. So, you might want to
do some planning before you buy a one, two or three day pass. If you go online you are encouraged to purchase your entry tickets before hand. Buying your tickets beforehand helps you avoid the line if you need to bum rush one of the booths, but, really, in the end helps the people holding the event. If I
