Tell Me Why, Tell Me Why - - - -

 Friday night I typed the "Round, Round Get Around, I Get Around" page. Those of you on the pay side who read the posting late at night or early the next morning before it shows up on the Troutfitter page, know that I didn't post it until Saturday morning.  

Throughout the over ten years that I've done these reports, when I'm fortunate enough to catch 10 or more fish in a day, I have refrained from using using numbers when discussing my catch, saying something like "the fish didn't seem to mind which flies they ate", or "the fish were more than happy to eat what was put on their plate". It was only when the fishing got tough and my efforts produced single digit results that numbers of fish both caught and lost appeared.

Last year and so far this year, for many reasons, not the least of which is no doubt my advancing age, the number of over ten fish days has, for me, decreased dramatically. As a result my reports have contained more information on actual  numbers of fish caught. This, coupled with the reports you file, tends to confirm what the situation in the Delaware River system. It's my belief that the current population of trout is very healthy, has many adult fish, (three years old and up), who along with mergansers, eagles, osprey, striped bass and otters, keep the young trout numbers in check. The number of excellent guides and fishermen on the river also contributes to reduced catch numbers by any one individual as all rising fish are quickly taught the danger that goes with eating dry flies.

So why didn't I post Friday's report until Saturday morning? I was excited. Had two winning days in a row. Thursday's report contained a lesson about not quitting on a hatch before the trout had their desert and was posted without regret. Friday's report was written by someone riding the high of having a day where every fish he threw at ate the fly. It had an "Aren't I wonderful", feel to it that kept me from hitting the publish button. Read it again in the morning, shrugged my shoulders and hit the button. Next time, (should it happen again), I'll tell the story without the numbers.  

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