Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Hemlock Hills

Eastern Connecticut is a part of the state that has a landscape of rolling hills. These hills are covered with hemlocks and a variety of hardwoods that are starting to show there colors. Within these woods lies many small streams, streams that are cold and clean and home to wild brook trout. Last Friday I paid a visit to one of them.

Armed with a two weight and some flies a bottle of water and an apple I set off on a day that was to be one of the better ones of this Autumn season.

The stream was flowing nicely, clear and crisp. Leaves were falling and at times it looked like fireworks with the different colors. I started fishing dry flies and they were not welcomed. I tied on a Picket Pin, some of these I tie with no hackle or just a twist, this enables the fly to ride a bit deeper in the water.

As I approached this pool I saw to brookies lying in the tail. Pausing for a moment thinking of how to drift the fly I must have startled them for they shot up under the bank. A second or two later I cast upstream towards the root jam. As the fly drifted and was sucked under an orange rocket shot out and grabbed the fly.

Moments later this wonder of nature lie in the stream among the fallen leaves. I don't know which feature stands out more on this trout. Its red dots, blue halos, orange belly, red fins or black mouth.




It amazes me how they can swim through the maze of the stream. Blow downs, and wood debris that's so thick that only a trickle seems to get through. Well that was Friday in the east, today it's a stream in the west.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE


22 comments:

  1. The pic of that brookie in the fall leaves is Magnificent!! It would look great framed and placed on the wall to admire every day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      I just might do that.

      Delete
  2. "Wonder of Nature" is a great description for that brookie....it's beautiful! BTW...really like the new picture in the header.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      They truly are. The photo is the Magalloway River, Maine.

      Delete
  3. Sorry, but I may have to stop reading your fine blog. The photos are creating such a feeling of envy that I almost can't stand it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tenkara ambassador,
      Thanks.
      Your just kidding right.

      Delete
  4. Fantastic! What an amazing fish, and in such a great location... Beautiful day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That brookie is a fine specimen. Love the photo you are using as the cover...CT or ME ??

    ReplyDelete
  6. Replies
    1. Kevin Frank,
      Thanks.
      I'm very fortunate to live where I do.

      Delete
  7. enjoyed that! you've captured the stream, the trout and autumn colours perfectly, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Talk about fly of the year! Dang. When you find a dry with equalled success you must share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Swamp Yankee,
      Thanks.
      That Picket Pin is right up there with the Bpmber.

      Delete
  9. Hi!

    Just one word: WONDERFUL! Amazing colors here too but we're closing the freezing point temperature and few leaves left. There will be another season though.

    My best,
    Mats Olsson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Jassid Man,
      Thanks.
      Autumn moves along swiftly. Not to rush the next season.

      Delete
  10. Nice day. My frustration with the salt is mounting. I may have to return to the fresh very soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RKM,
      Thanks.
      Small streams, wild trout. Leave the salt alone unless it's flounder.

      Delete
  11. Must agree, "What a wonder of nature"! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete