FRESH RUN FISHING : Small stream trout on the centerpin

Few things in life make me happier than trout fishing. As a young, pre-teenaged boy, my idea of trout fishing was worm plunking in a deep dark hole. As a teenager, I would find myself aroused more by a panther martin cast across a riffle, than the thought of that beautiful long legged girl in homeroom. Throughout my teenage years I started to expand my fishing horizons and hone my craft. I had to save my allowance for two months to purchase my first fly rod. I recall practice casting in the backyard as I would try to land my hook-less fly in the horseshoe pits, in retrospect, maybe I should have stuck with horseshoes, I can land a horseshoe close and still score, but a fly must be perfectly placed.
In 2003, I was introduced to centerpin fishing via my steelhead obsession. I still prefer the fly rod and a double nymph set for small stream trout, but on occasion, I accidentally find my Islander or Raven float reel attached to my three weight fly rod (wink). Well, I had one of those float reel and fly rod days last week.
The bait: beads, salted minnows, and crawlers. The result: peace of mind, some beautiful fish, much needed fresh air, and time spent with one of my best friends Nick Mulpagano, of Nautical Nick's Steelhead Adventures.