Wednesday, January 25, 2012

January 24th, and No Floatant


It was hard to believe that yesterday was January 24th. The air temps were in the fifties, the sun was bright and there was no wind.
This was a perfect day for seeking some wild brook trout from a beautiful little stream tucked away where no one can find it, I hope that is. I started fishing a Picket Pin, drifting it through likely holding waters. The fly was showed interest, especially when brought to the surface, but no takes.
Several fly changes and hours later I had not brought a trout to hand, a few light hookups,were all that I enjoyed. The one thing I noticed was that the brookies were looking up, they seemed to be more interested in taking near the surface. I tied on a dry fly/emerger pattern, and when I reached for some floatant I realized it was home. Luckily there was another angler, who was trying to figure what to put on the menu for these trout, he just happened to have some floatant and let me use some.
I sent that emerger into a pool and as it went under I let it sit a second or two and brought it to the surface. The brookie went for that fly like it was a day in June. I failed to get a hookup, and several more casts brought interest but no success.
I knew that my day was a success, just being there with the opportunity to enjoy this thing, small stream angling. A few trout chasing a fly, another angler to enjoy the day with me, and lastly, a wild brook trout to hand. He just couldn't resist an Edson Tiger streamer.




A small stream, lots of nooks and crannies for the brook trout.


The lack of snow cover enabled me to photograph this stone wall. I love these remnants.


Another angler, an angler with floatant. That's Kirk,"RKM Trout Quest" trying to coax a brook trout.


This is a reward. This is why I spend hours on little streams, why I have a sore back, why I decorate the hemlocks and mountain laurel with flies, all for this little 5 inch treasure.


26 comments:

  1. "why I decorate the hemlocks and mountain laurel with flies"

    This brought a smile, and complete agreement. Glad you got out and glad you shared it..

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  2. Beautiful.
    The stonewall.
    The stream.
    Its treasure.

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  3. Great report on a great day on the water. I am really glad that you shared a day like this with us and another fisherman to boot. Good thing he had that floatant. The real question is, Did the floatant help or was it wasted on a mountain laurel leaf decoration?

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  4. Reminds me of a stream I fished rather frequently around 1980. It was there I came up with "The Mink" as a fly to come to terms with the beautiful brook trout there. Fast to take they were but I couldn't set the hook. I was only dry fly fishing (Halford would have been proud; not by my manners at the little stream but with the fact that I only used dry flies) at that time. I left countless of flies in the trees sorrounding the stream. But it was fun and I got to see many wonderful things including beautiful brook trouts. So it wasn't just worth the effort and the lost flies I gained a lot from my trips there. Some of us have planned to visit the stream and see how it looks now or rather this summer. It lays in bear country and not to far from where a big owl made a go for my head. So let's see what we find.
    Have fun with the gems of the little stream,
    M.O.

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  5. Giving up a few flies to hold one of those beautiful brookies for a moment or two is certainly a great deal if you ask me. Great post as always!

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  6. As usual, beautiful pics (except for the one of that other angler). Nice day on the water again. I hope there are many more this winter.

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  7. Great photos depicting what was obviously a great day. Nothing better than throwing a dry fly in January.

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  8. Glad to see you were able to take advantage of yet another unseasonable nice January day...

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  9. Glad someone got out yesterday, I spent the day wishing. Who would have thought that you would need floatant this time of year !

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  10. Brk Trt,
    yesterday was a day dreaming day for me at work. Dreaming of being on such a small stream as you were and taking advantage of those beautiful temps as well as those 5 inch gems.
    Thanks for another wonderful post......DRYFLYGUY

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  11. Mike,
    Thanks.
    I'm happy to share my ramblings. Someday I may try to reclaim some of those decorations.

    e.m.b.,
    Thanks.
    It's true, they're all treasures.

    Graham Moran,
    Thanks.
    It helped to confirm my thoughts that the fish were looking up. It did manage to go back into my fly box.

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  12. TROUT1,
    Thanks.
    Pete it was a fine day.

    Jassid Man,
    Thanks.
    That is quite a story. Please be careful of the owls.

    Kiwi,
    Thanks.
    It's a swap I'll make any day.

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  13. RKM,
    Thanks.
    It sure was and I to hope for more days of the same.

    Sanders,
    Thanks.
    Yes those dry fly days in the month of January are rare indeed.

    Steve,
    Thanks.
    It has been a wonderful winter so far.

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  14. Mark,
    Thanks.
    It was a good thing someone thought of it. A beautiful January day.

    DRYFLYGUY,
    Thanks.
    Sorry you were only able to daydream, but it's a wonderful dream to have.

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  15. Looks like you two had a little slice of heaven all to yourself. Great photos and fish to go along with the trip. Tight Lines.

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  16. Shoreman,
    Thanks.
    It sure was.

    Trout MaGee,
    Thanks.
    A lovely place, with little jewels to boot.

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  17. I am in love with those little brook trout and their white leading edges to their pelvic and ventral fins. Lovely pictures.

    Regular Rod

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  18. Regular Rod,
    Thanks.
    They are pretty little jewels.

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  19. Brk
    Just found your blog, absolute awesome pics especially of the brookie. Precision casting in most cases here, but it is well worth the effort. To me that is what makes trout fishing so rewarding, the challenge and of course the reward. Those images of the stream truly capture what true trout fishing is all about. I am joining up with your group to see and read more of you stream fishing. Thanks for sharing a great post!!

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  20. Bill Trussell,
    Thanks.
    Welcome to my blog. I'm glad you enjoy these ramblings of a small stream angler.
    I hope you'll visit often, and your comments are appreciated.

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  21. A warm day, a light Dusting of snow, on the banks & some Brookies. NOW THATS WHAT I CALL FISHING. NICE.

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  22. Steve,
    Thanks.
    Yes it seemed to all come together.

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  23. It sure was a beautiful day to be out for winter fishing, and looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Johnny Utah,
    Thanks.
    This winter has been wonderful so far.

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