Structure. You hear of the importance of this from anglers all over, weather it be large waters such as lakes, big rivers, and even in the salt. I believe there is no where else where structure is more valuable than in a small stream.
Structure in a small stream can be logs, large boulders, woody debris, leaf jams, and foam. But the best structure is an undercut bank. When you find such a place you can bet there will be a trout in or near waiting to ambush a meal. And if your lucky to find an undercut with some woody debris, or a tree or log associated with it well that heaven.
Both these places produced brook trout.
This guy snapped up an offering that was close by.
Observing the goings on.
Another brook trout from an undercut. With a different color meal.
The flies are a variation of worms from the vise of The "Midgeman" He did several post on various aquatic worms. Look them up at his blog. Midgeman Manifesto.
Happy Labor Day Alan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for tip. The water is low on the river I fish the most and I have been taking pictures for future reference. I will look for undercuts now.
Ed,
DeleteThanks.
And I hope your holiday is well. The last weekend of summer.
Alan
ReplyDeleteCut banks and structure have always been my go to if they are in view--do those tiny little worms have a beadhead? Do you ever dead drift with a 8 1/2 to 9 ft. fly rod in those tight areas on small streams? Standing above the cut bank and letting the fly drift right next to edge of the cut out seems like a reasonable offering to get a quick take---just a thought--enjoyed this post.
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
8 to 9 ft fly rods would not be a good choice. Depending at what time of day you would be better drifting your fly from standing up stream. Vibrations from above the bank will put a trout in hiding. The good thing is if you spook him fishing one way, move on and pay a visit to him later. Fish it the other way and you have a second chance.
There's just something about a deep shadowy undercut bank, spooky and exciting at the same time. You just never know what monsters lurk in there. Fly collectors though, but usually worth the risk.
ReplyDeleteGary Thompson,
DeleteThanks.
My feelings exactly. And those places have a few of my flies also.
hey, where do you fish? I've seen your flies. I'm not beneath crawling under those banks for a few of those beauties.
DeleteGary Thompson,
DeleteI can't give you the streams name, but I will say it's in Connecticut.
Hi Alan!
ReplyDeleteVery nice places of the stream found in your photos! Like that observing frog that you caught on picture too.
Keep enjoying wonderful places at natural streams,
Mats Olsson
The Jassid Man,
DeleteThanks.
They are such wonderful little creatures. He sat there and watched for quite some time.
Certainly challenging and rewarding at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed this little lesson. My small streams are a little larger than this, but not nearly as beautiful. Happy Labor Day Alan and thanks.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett,
DeleteThanks.
Those places really are rewarding. Have a wonderful holiday.
Alan, don't know where I have been over the past couple of years, but, this is my first visit to your blog. Consider me unlucky, I guess. This appears to be an outstanding blog. Really enjoy your photos and detail of small stream fishing. I will be adding your blog to my blogroll promptly!
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
DeleteThanks.
Welcome. I'm truly happy you have found some enjoyment in my posts.
Visit and comment often....they're appreciated.
Happy Labor Al!! Lovely photos of the brook and the Brook Trout!!!Good Stuff!!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1,
DeleteThanks.
Hope your holiday went well.
Undercuts... dark, foreboding and mysterious...the anticipation of a strike..priceless. Nice lesson, thanks Brk Trt
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
DeleteThanks.
That anticipation...it's beautiful.
Undercuts always seem to make me envision some big wild trout lurking under it that nobody has ever caught or seen. The mystery of what's hiding under there is part of the fun, and it's rare that one doesn't produce on a good stream. Usually it's not the monster that you dream about that you end up catching, although now and then it is. A beautiful brook trout or wild brown of any size is a sight to behold though. Great post!
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteThanks.
Usually a big wild one comes from such a location.
When it comes to trout "rivers" on Long Island....undercuts are pretty much the main type of structure where you can find trout. Boulders and rocks with pocket water are my favorite kinds of structure to explore and they are virtually non-existent here.
ReplyDeleteKiwi,
DeleteThanks.
I love pocket water, and so does the Bomber.