Thursday, November 10, 2011

Nor'Easter, the Aftermath


On October 29th Connecticut experienced a Nor'easter like it has never witnessed.
The storm left as much as a foot of heavy wet snow which covered tree limbs, which still had almost full leaf cover. The trees cracked from the weight and took down wires. At the end of the storm 833,000 homes and business' were without power.
I had no power or heat for 6 days, and I was fortunate, thousands still had no power as of Monday. Restoration crews were here from all over the United States and Canada, for which I an very thankful.

This post is also about how a small stream fared in the aftermath of this storm.
As I entered the wood I could see some of the damage. Trees were down all over, many of them fell into the tiny stream. Leaves were in the water and covered the bottom like a mosaic art. Tree limbs floated down until they got hung up, leaves followed and created large dams. Some of these will be blown away with a heavy rain, but some will remain. They may prove to be beneficial, providing, deep wintering pools for the trout.
As I finish a cup of black Nantucket Blend coffee, hoping it takes effect to enable me to complete this post. I realize it's not me who is slow, it's my computer.





Some of the damage to the little stream.


I did manage to drop a fly or two in between trees and found the trout very hungry.


I was surprised to see this guy around. Several hard frosts, two snow events.... he's a survivor.


These are the flies that worked so well....Picket Pin, the one on the right is what they are supposed to look like, the other was retired after the long battle.


One of the rewards of small streams. He to is a survivor of many storms.


Natures reconstruction, for better or worse....time will tell.



14 comments:

  1. Brk Trt - enjoyed the post. My travels the last couple of days have shown the same, trees and limbs down in the water, approaches blocked, and tough conditions to keep the flies out of the debris

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  2. I grew up in the Hudson Valley and still go home to visit frequently. This post reminds me of damage I have seen in the wake of Irene. There are streams that are still just choked with debris and other locations where trees (with 2ft diameters) that used to lay across a stream were simply removed without a trace. The power of Nature is simply amazing. I'm glad you are still able to find some brookies in those tangles.

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  3. Our streams look very similar right now. Two heavy snow with still leaf-ed trees. That brookie is, as always, striking....I never cease to be amazed at their backs in and out of water...

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  4. Mark,
    Thanks.
    It's like having to learn the stream all over again.

    Kiwi,
    Thanks.
    Irene was tough. Then this. Hopefully the winter will be kind.

    e.m.b.,
    Thanks.
    It's been a crazy Autumn for you also. They are like Chameleons.

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  5. Ya, being in the northeast corner was no fun. I lost power for 9 1/2 days.

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  6. Glad to hear you found a few "holes" to drop a fly in. The streams by me look the same. Hopefully a few high water events will clean things up for us. The fish and pictures look great.

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  7. Rick Kratzke,
    Thanks.
    I know your area was really hit. Glad you came out of OK.

    G Lech,
    Thanks.
    Usually nature will correct things....I hope.

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  8. Very enjoyable post and pics once again. I would have to say you would need a biblical flood event to wash those trees away. In times like these "man" needs to step in. I would bring a saw with you next time. Saw, fish, pics, admire, saw, saw, saw.....

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  9. I feel your pain with the slow computer :) It's crazy how hard you guys got hit out there. I am always amazed at how quickly a stream can change. I think that snake may have escaped from the looney bin. He must like to ski ;) Thanks for sharing all the great pics. That fly looks like a must tie. Tight Lines.

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  10. Johnny Utah,
    Thanks.
    You may be right, some help might be needed.

    Trout MaGee,
    Thanks.
    Yes that snake seemed to be out of place. The Picket Pin would be a fine choice for your streams.

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  11. BrkTrt,
    nice report and interesting pictures. I think time will prove that the "stream damage" is really a win for the trout. Bark and leaves provide food for the insects and tree trunks and rootballs provide refuge for the trout. As you indicated, the redirected water flow is likely to dig out pools and channels for further habitat improvement. Please leave the saws at home and enjoy nature's handiwork.
    gerry

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  12. Gerry,
    Thanks.
    Things will be at least through the winter. We'll see what it's like come spring.

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  13. I'm glad you're up and running, it must have been a long 6 days without power or heat. Hopefully everything is starting to get back to normal. I'm glad to see that despite the storms, you were able to find a trout or two.

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  14. Sanders,
    Thanks.
    Hope I never have to go through that again.

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