We don't often get a weekend away but when my wife and her cousin Tamera in Brooklyn started talking about meeting somewhere in the geographical middle between where we both live, that got Matt working on a Airbnb and I was tasked with figuring out a fly fishing plan for a couple of days around Charlottesville, Virginia. That was the easy part since all it took was a couple of text messages with Guide Mike Rennie of Blue Mountain Drift to lock in the Friday and Saturday of our trip to be somewhere on the water with him. Rennie asked what we wanted to do and all I said was that we'd like two different trout experiences. The two days with Rennie and Matt did not disappoint...
Matt and Tamera left New York City mid-morning and took their time on their way south while Melissa and I scrambled to leave by mid-afternoon wondering out loud why we both didn't take the day off instead of working half days. Even still, we all ended up at the mountainside cabin outside of Charlottesville before 10:00 p.m. and were greeted by Matt and Tamera with drinks and a warm fire as they had already settled in. We unpacked the car and I readied my fly fishing gear for the next morning since we were meeting Rennie at 6:00 a.m. and I didn't want to forget anything in the haze of an early morning in the dark.
Matt and Tamera left New York City mid-morning and took their time on their way south while Melissa and I scrambled to leave by mid-afternoon wondering out loud why we both didn't take the day off instead of working half days. Even still, we all ended up at the mountainside cabin outside of Charlottesville before 10:00 p.m. and were greeted by Matt and Tamera with drinks and a warm fire as they had already settled in. We unpacked the car and I readied my fly fishing gear for the next morning since we were meeting Rennie at 6:00 a.m. and I didn't want to forget anything in the haze of an early morning in the dark.
Matt and I left the cabin at 5:15 a.m. and met Rennie in Charlottesville where we loaded our gear into his truck and took off on a drive to a nearby tailwater with his raft in tow. He was hopeful for the day that we'd find a few fish and as the moon set and the sun rose, it looked like it was going to be a stellar day no matter the fishing.
I've known Rennie at least as far back to 2016 when he came along to Beaver Island and we have stayed in touch since then. I have a couple of this custom arted Bugger Beast fly boxes with one full of flies for permit and bonefish and another with carp and smallmouth patterns. He's a lifelong angler turned tattoo artist turned full-time guide and works closely with Matt Miles Fly Fishing focused on the waters around central Virginia, a few weeks in Weldon for striper, and hosts trips out of country from time to time. It keeps him busy and he still finds time to tattoo a bit when his schedule allows.
We had the boat launch at the river to ourselves which gave Mike time to square away the raft and put together a Chubby Chernobyl with two nymphs hung off the hook bend on each of our fly rods. Admittedly, I'm not all that excited about watching an indicator all day but with the high floating foam fly up top, it makes it more interesting as there's always the chance of a rise. With the raft ready, we pushed off and began the float down the river. I took the backseat since I always like that vantage point for taking photographs and I get some silly satisfaction about playing cleanup casting to spots that the guy in the front seat didn't get to. Think of it as a game with the game situation.
The good thing with double nymph rigs is that they get down to where the trout are. The bad thing? They also catch on every bit of structure and an errant hook set or way too open loop cast sometimes ends up around a tree limb. Apologizes again to Rennie for putting a hurting on his nymph fly box. We lost more than a few but Mike expected it. The river takes, and the overhanging tree limbs, too.
The morning float was somewhat steady with a few takes on the nymphs, Mike yelling "SET!!!" when we were distracted and not watching when one of the Chubby Chernobyl flies dunked under, and slid a few trout into the net. I had a solid brown trout take a nymph that made the day for me.
We pulled over halfway through the float for a tasty lunch that Rennie prepared and once back in the raft, bites on the nymphs slowed down through the afternoon. It didn't matter much since we enjoyed the ten miles float down a beautiful river.
GEAR NOTES:
- This was the first trip with the new Fishpond Stormshadow Sling Pack and I like it a lot. It's cavernous and made of waterproof fabric with sealed zippers. The main pocket was large enough for my DSLR with an extra lens along with everything else I needed for the day.
- Mike Rennie said a 5-weight would do fine but I opted for the Epic 686. This continues to be the glass 6-weight that I judge all 6-weights by and a great fly rod to nymph with. I matched it with the Orvis Mirage LT fly reel and Scientific Anglers Anadro Indicator fly line for easy roll casts and mending.
- I didn't notice it until I was suiting up that I was in a full "Skwala Uniform" with the Fusion Hybrid Jacket, Backeddy Waders, and had the Backeddy Jacket stowed just in case we had a rainstorm. The jacket is a favorite layer and I couldn't be more impressed with the waders. You can read some additional reviews and my thoughts on these pieces HERE, HERE, and HERE.
- I've talked about them before with this T.F.M. review but the Korkers Wade Lite Sneakers continue to be a favorite wading boot. They are lightweight at under two pounds a pair, durable, and I like the price point of $150. These have been so popular, Korkers recently released the Salt Sneaker which is the same boot in a different colorway.
We were off the water in the late afternoon and traveled back to Charlottesville. Once at the cabin, I fired up the Traeger Ranger to smoke a block of cream cheese for our appetizer with crackers and begin reverse searing four large block cut beef tenderloin filets that we brought with us. Also on the menu were Brussels sprouts and a variation of Leon's Oyster Shop scalloped potatoes. We could have gone into town for dinner but there is something to be said about staying in and creating your own great meal.
The next day would be a later start but no less of a good time. More on that in the follow-up Browns and Brookie Days Part 2 post.
If your travel plans are anywhere near Charlottesville, Virginia and you'd like to get on the water, reach out to Guide Mike Rennie of Blue Mountain Drift. He can yell "SET!!!!" at you, too...
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