Despite the beautiful spring weather through this weekend, most eastern Maryland trout streams will be too high to fish for several more days. So I thought now would be a good time to post the second edition of my ongoing attempts at underwater photography.
Catch
Undoubtedly, the most exhilarating moment in trout fishing is the moment you first make connection with the fish–the take on your dry fly, the dip of your strike indicator, or the tug on your line as the trout snatches your streamer.
This was taken seconds before netting the trout, looking into his open mouth. Despite the excitement of the catch, this phase is difficult photograph in a way that turns into interesting photos.
I like this next one because the blurriness lends it an almost impressionistic feeling:
Or, maybe it’s just bad photography.
…and Release
While the catch provides the most intensely exciting moment in flyfishing, the release can be more profound. You as the angler have had a unique opportunity to briefly connect with a wild animal in its natural setting, and you get to witness its safe return to its home.
The trout, if you were able to ask them, likely have a different opinion. I doubt the fish have anything like what we think of as emotions, but their eyes sometimes seem as if they do.
The release gives you a different perspective on the fish.
The best part of the release is when the trout swims, with a healthy burst of speed, back home…
