Waterville Valley—Raymond Kucharski recently published a book titled, On The Waters: The Joys of Fly-Fishing. He has been writing about fly-fishing and the joys of being outdoors for over 10 years and has over a half century of field experiences to write about.

The book is a compilation of fishing stories that appeared in Waterville Valley’s Wig Wag, the Plymouth Record Enterprise newspaper column Fins & Feathers, the American Angler and Flyfishing & Tying Journal magazines.

Birdie Britton, editor of the Waterville Valley Wig Wag wrote “To read these short essays of fishing adventures by Ray Kucharski you come to appreciate the joy he gets from each fishing day and each cast he makes. The stories are not only charming but also informative about ways of catching the wily fish.  Each story describes the delight that an avid fisherman like Ray feels for the sport of fishing. One gains many insights and some important learning lessons for life that this sport gives to all those who do it.”

My husband David and I, editors of the small paper, encouraged Ray to put these many stories together as a group of essays. I am sure you will enjoy these tales of New Hampshire and New England fishing as our readers have. Even if you are not a fisherman you will not be bored. I never was.”

On The Waters: The Joys of Fly-Fishing, is available online at www.amazon.com, www.barnsandnoble.com, and  www.iuniverse.com.  It is also available at the Waterville Valley book store, the BookMonger and Jugtown Country Store.

       Several years ago my nephew, Ray, gave me a leather bound log book with “Uncle Ray’s Fishing Memories,” engraved on the cover’s brass plaque. It is the most elegant fishing log I ever owned - something Ernest Hemmingway would be proud of.

      Memories play tricks with times and dates. Seasons get jumbled. Locations are confused. Facts replaced with wishes. Fish grow larger. My entries record data in real time.

       I record the usual information a fisherman would want to recall. Date, water fished, water temperature, air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, weather conditions and any and all fishing companions. The quantity and species of fish caught, and the names of the flies that caught them.

      I captured the quiet times spent on the waters in my log book. I also noted all wildlife of interest. Eagles swooping out of nearby trees, osprey diving for fish, loons, kingfishers, great blue herons, huge snapping turtles, otters playing, black bears trying to sneak away and moose standing in the river below me, are all entries.

      Also included in each entry is anything of particular interest that happened. e.g. “saw the snake swimming across the river. Trying to clear my fly out of the way, accidently snagged it in the back. Got the snake to shore, and with two hearts beating fast, and as gently as I could, removed the barbless hook. We each went our separate ways.”

      I recommend all fly fishermen to keep a log as memories of time and places blur with time. Allen, one of my fishing companions, shared his eloquent entry of our last fishing trip of the year together:

No hits or fish for me,

I awoke with the intention of going fishing, but an October temperature reading of 34.9° cooled that idea. As I sat by the fire catching up on my reading, the phone rang. It was Allen, inviting me to go fishing. I told him I thought it was a little too cold and dismissed that idea. He said, “Don’t worry it will warm up by noon.” I reluctantly agreed to accept his invitation as there would not be many more fishing opportunities this year.

I arrived at the pond around 11:30 am, to find Al constructing a new leader. I helped him with the leader and gave him some 4X tippet. We finished rigging up and launched my float tube and Al’s kayak. The sun was shining and the pond was calm; the mirror-like surface reflecting the white clouds, blue sky and orange hillsides.

We fished along the shoreline for an hour or so before I caught a nice brookie. We were at the far end of the pond, when the wind kicked in. Al and I decided to move to the lee shore. This shoreline held some large boulders. “Good smallmouth bass water,” I said confidently.

Shortly I felt a sudden jolt at the end of my line and set the hook to something heavy. A big smallmouth flashed through my mind. Shortly the fish surfaced and showed the dorsal fin and back of a very long trout. The golden flash of color told me it could be a brown trout. The fish jumped a couple of feet out of the water confirming the identification.

Al was close by to witness the epic struggle between man and beast. I untangled my net and slid it under the brown trout. I hoisted the trout up to the apron on my float tube. The apron has an 18-inch ruler imprinted on it and this fish overhung the ruler by a couple of inches on both sides. This was the largest fish of the season.

Al pulled out his cell-phone and took a couple of quick pictures prior to me slipping the golden-colored monster back into his realm. I was glad I didn’t stay in my warm and cozy realm. Life is short, accept invitations.

  - Raymond Kucharski

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I am constantly on the look-out for new waters to fish. A friend was telling me that he fished at a local pond and was having fun with the bass. I inquired as to which pond it was?

He said, “The pond at the end of Shepard Hill Road.”  I was familiar with the road but not the pond. I checked my topo-map and sure enough there was White Oak Pond. It even indicated a boat launch area.

The pond was not listed in any of my fishing reference book or the Fishing and Game web-site. I am not sure why the pond did not register in my mind when I searched my maps as I often do.

The next time I was in the area, I drove to the end of Shepard Hill Road and sure enough there was a pond. It looked promising. The sign at the launching site indicated that it had parking limited to 4 cars, and a 7½ hp limit on boats. A chain was across the ramp, restricting it to key-holders. It became clear; the launch site was intended for canoes and kayaks.

Whenever I go to new water, I usually go with a friend. None of my fishing buddies were available and because I checked out the pond and knew exactly where it was, I decided to go alone.

My reconnaissance indicated a warm-water fishery, so I came prepared for bass and pickerel. I rigged my 5 weight trout-rod with a heaver leader and tied on a bass-size fly. The launch cove was narrow and long. When I cleared the cove I could see some homes, some very large homes, on the north shore. I decided to fish the less-developed west shore.

I was casting into the lily-pads trying to attract a bass or pickerel that may be lurking waiting for lunch to swim by. I happen to look down, and in about 4 feet of water, I saw the largest snapping-turtle of my life. The enormous turtle was just lying motionless on the bottom. I gave several strong, swift kicks to get away from any potential danger to my float tube.

The pond was about 250 acres, a little large for my float tube. I managed to cover about ¼ of the west shore, catching a couple of decent-size pickerel.    I worked my way back fishing the deeper water off shore, with little success.

Later that day, my log entry recorded the time, date, place, wind speed, water temperature and the two pickerel caught on a white Zonker. It also recorded a loon sighting and the worlds-record snapping turtle.

Raymond Kucharski

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It happened at lunch during the 4th of July weekend. Pat, my wife, and I brought some long time friends, Norman, his wife Bobby, their daughter Mellissa and granddaughter Emily to our favorite eatery (the Squam Lake Inn in Holderness owned and operated by Rae & Cindy) for lunch. Our friends live in Marietta GA and this was Emily’s first trip to NH. We toured The Flume and Old Man of the Mountain Memorial.

 While we enjoyed our delicious lunch it happened. I looked out the window and saw a sight that makes a flyfishermen heart race and fills him with anticipation. There sitting on the building was an extremely large yellowish-cream mayfly. The legendary Hexagenia Limbata.

The next day I was on my way to my favorite pond in search of New Hampshire’s, and the world’s, largest Mayfly. I arrived around six o’clock thinking I would fish a Hex nymph imitation under the surface with my sink-tip line and a bead-head fly. Two hours later, with the sun below the trees, I had a couple of hits and one LDR (Long Distance Release). There was still no sign of a hatch. Around eight o’clock I decided to switch to my floating line and tie on a yellow and cream colored, size 6, dry fly the size of a small hummingbird. 

 As darkness fell, the Hex nymphs began to rise to the surface showing small dimples on the surface. The dimples broke and the high visible yellow sail-like wings appeared. Hexagenia mayflies rose gently in the air to propagate their species on their one day on earth.

 Soon whirlpools appeared under the hatching Hexagenia and loud slurps could be heard as the trout began to feed. As darkness set in, it began to look like large snowflakes rising in reverse to fill the night sky with silhouettes of the mayfly duns. Loud splashes were heard around the pond. Trout smashing their prey immediately to my port and starboard and under my rod tip. In the darkness flyfishing changed from visual to audio as I reacted to the sound of any splash in the vicinity of my fly. The Holiday Hex hatch was on!

 Raymond Kucharski

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Trout Unlimited established a “First Cast” program to teach youngsters how to fly fish. The objective is to interest young people in fly fishing and by association teaches conservation. 

-Raymond Kucharski

The Pemigewasset Chapter of Trout Unlimited recently completed the largest and most involved project the chapter has undertaken to date; the restoration of approximately 2200 feet of the Pemigewasset River in Woodstock, NH, west of Exit 31 off I-93. This long term process of raising funds, working with engineers for design and permitting, and all the intricacies of things that have to happen to make a project of this size possible has been over six years in the making. The winning bidder, Alvin J. Coleman & Son completed the construction work in 47 working days with some BIG equipment.

 

The primary focus of this project included stabilizing the channel and banks, plus returning the river along this reach to a state of equilibrium.  The bank full mean depth was increased by eliminating the existing multiple or braided channel pattern that existed by constructing a single thread channel with proper cross-sectional area.  Rock vanes and log vanes were installed in conjunction with extensive revegetation.  Existing side channels were filled to increase depth.  Ultimately, this reach of the Pemigewasset River will reach a state of equilibrium where the river has enough energy to transport sediment, maintain appropriate channel dimensions, and remain stable during flood events.

It was a cold close to the end of New Hampshire’s trout season. Snow covered the ground along with the red, orange and yellow trees just two days prior. The morning of October 15^th, the last day for fishing, was prematurely cold with temperatures in the twenties. Snow remained in the higher elevations of the mountains surrounding Waterville Valley.

Freedom NH is a little town surrounding a small village located along the Maine border. The town is home to Lake Ossipee and Ferret Services of Freedom, a ferret shelter providing rescue and shelter for domestic ferret.

Raymond Kucharski

By Raymond Kucharski

      Angel and I have been hunting tigers unsuccessfully for several years. We began our hunt for tigers in the in the shadow of Bald Mountain at Willard Pond, in Antrim, New Hampshire.  I am not talking about feline tigers but the piscine tigers better known as Tiger Trout.

      The tiger trout is a sterile, intergeneric hybrid of the female brown trout and the male brook trout. The name derives from the pronounced vermiculations, evoking the stripes of a tiger. Tiger trout have been reported to grow faster, be more aggressive and fight harder than natural species.

      Our hunting ground on this trip was Lucas Pond in Northwood NH. It is a 53-acre pond with an average depth of 25 feet; the deepest hole being 58 feet.  The shoreline is fairly developed including a couple of public camps.

      My fishing buddy, Angel, and I drove to Northwood and found Lucas Pond Rd, usually a good sign for finding a pond. The topo map was not very clear as to exactly where the access was located. We reached the end of Lucas Pond Rd and turned right in the direction of the pond then turned on a dirt road leading us to private camps on the shoreline. Two fishermen told us the public access was, in fact, on Lucas Pond Rd and were going to go there to escape the bugs that were eating them alive and to just follow them. Sometime just finding a new pond is an adventure.

      We launched our float tubes into the wind and waves. The two fishermen that directed us to the landing told us they were catching fish in a cove up the right hand shore. Angel said he would head for that cove. I decided to fish a cove to the immediate right of the landing. It looked promising because it had a brook draining the pond.

      It was hard to tell how deep it was because the water was stained but I managed to hook several largemouth bass in the cove. It is very not easy landing bass on my trout flies because I remove the barbs; one jump and the bass would go one way and the fly the other.

      When I got to Angel’s cove we decided to move to a smaller and more sheltered pond. We caught no trout and the wind was really whipping. As we got to the landing, Angel saw a fish swirl on the surface. We fished for a short while. Angel kicked to shore and took out. I made my final cast and began to reel in my Black Madonna fly.

      Looking over my shoulder selecting a spot to take out, my fly stopped with a jolt. Line began emptying from the reel as a fish headed for deeper water. We could not see the fish in the stained water. Several minutes later I was able to work the fish to the surface. It was very silvery, clearly not a bass. Rainbow, I called out, no Angel corrected, no red stripe. Salmon? I questioned, no again as Angel pointed out that there were no salmon in the pond. As I slipped the net under the fish I cold clearly see the worm like markings of a brook trout on the fishes back. My first Tiger Trout.           

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Raymond Kucharski

Bill: [Fly rod bent] I got one

Angel: [Quizzically] What fly are you using?

Bill: The Usual

[A short time later]

I got another one.

Angel: [Annoyingly] What fly are you using?

Bill: The Usual

Angel: [Quietly to Ray] Why won’t Bill tell me the name of the fly?

Ray: He is telling you what he is using; the name of the fly is The Usual.

       One dismal afternoon, Fran Betters was in his Adirondack Sport Shop on the New York’s West Branch of the Ausable River tying up a batch of Haystacks (a dry fly with a deer hair tail and upright wing). He noticed a snowshoe hare’s foot lying on the top on his tying bench and he decided to substitute the wiry pad-hairs and under-fur for the Haystacks deer hair. This experimental fly was actually tested by a friend of Fran’s. The Ausable trout readily accepted the fly and the fly soon became a local favorite. Whenever he was asked on what fly he’d hooked a large trout on, he would answer, somewhat annoyingly “The Usual”.

      Although the Haystack is still around I believe The Usual is a much better fly. I believe Mr. Betters, many years ago, recognized the characteristics of a snowshoe hare’s foot would be an improvement. The long fibers of the snowshoe hare’s foot are translucent and flexible giving the fly a lifelike movement and the hare’s hair repel water. My favorite attribute is its floatability; the fly can be dried with a couple of false-casts. I personally prefer flies with a vague-impressionistic outline rather than an exact imitation of one particular insect.

      Several years later I was fishing with David Sakura. I caught several brookies on The Usual and relayed the story of Angel and Bill’s conversation about the fly. Three days later I received this note “Ray: I was looking through my fly box and found a collection of flies that you donated to the WVAIA which I bid on and won! Much to my surprise was a …  "The Usual". There was a small hatch going on in the lee of the wind, near the rock island so I tied on "The Usual", and instantly it was inhaled by a brookie! I continued to catch 5-6 more, until the fly was too soggy to fluff up.  The ability of "The Usual" to catch fish is the most dramatic example of catching fish by "not matching the hatch". How can such an ugly puff of fuzz catch so many fish? Please, please show me how to tie "The Usual"”. David

Raymond Kucharski

    “If there's anything in the world I hate, it's leeches - filthy little devils!” Charlie Allnut said after he emerged from the river and climbed aboard the deck of the African Queen and discovered he was covered with leeches. Most swimmers agree with Humphrey Bogart about the filthy little devils!”  

      The medical world found uses for the little devils and fishermen are always trying to tie a better leech-imitating fly. Trout Unlimited member, Dave Whitlock, lists five favorite leech flies, 1, Wooly Bugger 2, Marabou Leech 3, Rabbit Hair Strip Fly 4, Whitlock’s Chamois Leech and 5, Marabou Jig. Leeches are high on a trout’s preferred diet and a high protein diet of leeches contributes to a faster growth rate.

     Leeches are annelids or segmented worms, and are closely related to the earthworms, probably why fish love them. Most leeches are sanguivorous, that is, they feed as blood sucking parasites on preferred hosts such as amphibians, reptiles, waterfowl, fish, and mammals (including humans). In the field, I have never seen a leech on anything but a human. Digestion is slow enabling them to survive for several months. Leeches breathe thru their skin and do not require a high level of dissolved oxygen. They prefer alkaline water but survive in acid murky water,

      Freshwater leeches prefer to live in still or slowly flowing waters, but specimens have been collected from fast flowing streams. In dry weather, some species burrow in the soil where they can survive for many months even in a total lack of water. In these conditions the body is contracted dry and rigid and the skin completely dry. A few drops of water and these leeches emerge, fully active.

      In my experience bloodsuckers are black with a silvery-gray underside. In a few remote ponds that I fished, I did come across some chocolate-brown leeches and once saw a bright orange leech.

     One warm sunny summer day I was at my local neighborhood pond trying out a new marabou leech pattern. As the fly approached the shore I could see a rather large rainbow trout following the fly. When the fly got close to shore the trout slowly turned and swam away. On my next cast the scene was repeated. The trout was definitely interested but would not take the fly. On the next cast I slowed the retrieve. The rainbow swam to the fly for a closer look but backed away. When the marabou leech fly was about four feet from shore I let the fly settle to the bottom. The rainbow swam up to the motionless fly and gave it a nudge then slowly backed away. I twitched the fly and fish repeated its previous action. With my heart beating I gave the fly another twitch. The rainbow slowly swam up to the motionless fly resting on the bottom and sucked it in. This was the first time and only time I watched a fish take a fly resting motionlessly from the bottom of a pond. I think I am beginning to like the filthy little devils.

Raymond Kucharski

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