Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A Christmas Eve

First off I hope everyones Christmas was to their liking. Next I would like to take a few minutes, or perhaps lines, to tell you of a very special tribute to those of Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was written by a flyfisher from Connecticut. When I read it yesterday it really moved me. His tribute can be read here...http://ravineangler.blogspot.com/


I had hoped to be able to fish a few hours on Christmas eve day, and when I was given the green light I did not waste any time. My long range thoughts were that this might be the last outing of this year, so make the best of it my good man. When I arrived at the stream the water level was up from the good rains of the days before. The air temp was cold, and there was a little shelf ice in certain places, telling me the water was cold and the fish were going to be slow to the fly. With the higher levels my first fly was a Black Ghost streamer. I fished it very slowly, working the soft seams of the little stream but there was no interest paid. I proceeded to change to a wet fly. I worked the fly through several long slow pools as well as the soft runs between but to no avail. By this time the sun was making itself felt. While its warmth was a delight on my back, it did not do much to warm the water.


I reached a pool with a sharp curve in it. There was also a undercut with lots of roots. As the fly worked through the pool a fish came to it and gently took it. The 2wt did its job and my first fish of the day was at hand. It was a beautiful rainbow. A quick photo and off it went.


The beauty of this little stream was awesome on this cold day. I continued to fish for an hour or so without a strike. I had noticed a rise or two along the way, but they were halfhearted and not promising. I tied on a caddis dry and fished the little fly. It produced a follow or two but no takers.


It was in this deep run, in a soft spot that the caddis was eaten by a brook trout.


These were to be my only fish of the day. A really fine day for sure. As I walked to the car my thoughts were of a day filled with accomplishment, and thanks. The air seemed to get colder despite the sun, and the heat in the car was such a good feeling.

Christmas eve was to be spent with Jeanette and myself. The family was to be together Christmas day.

Dinner was a simple but very satisfying. Hot spaghetti on a cold Christmas eve.


CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

28 comments:

  1. Hi Alan!

    Yes, I read about what had happened and will check out the link you provided. Yesterday I had an old friend and fly fishing and tying companion here. He is also a skilled photographer so he took some awsome pictures when I was showing him some new techniques I've been developing. More on that later on my "tinyflies" blog. I really appreciate the photos and thoughts that you share with us all. It gives an incent to tie flies for the coming season. Which is just what I'm doing. The first ones have received their flies in my fly swap and I feel just good in general with exception of wicked things that happens around us like in the school in Connecticut. Thanks for sharing Alan!

    Keep nice photos and tales coming on your blog,
    Mats Olsson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Jassid Man,
      Thanks.
      I appreciate your comments, as well as your fly tying talents.
      I enjoy bringing all of you my angling adventures.

      Delete
  2. Nice to see you out again, don't think I'll make it out until 2013

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      It was nice to fish, cold but nice.
      I hope we'll be fishing on the first of 2013.

      Delete
  3. Very nice Alan.

    I am hoping to get out for the first time ever during the winter next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed,
      Thanks.
      I hope you do. It's wonderful being on the stream at this time of year.

      Delete
  4. Brookies on dry's on X-mas eve..

    Excellent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G Lech,
      Thanks.
      It's one of lifes wonderful pleasures.

      Delete
  5. Thank you for the mention my friend.
    That rainbow looks a like a repeat customer or maybe a relative of one you encountered earlier. I like nature's mysteries.
    Take care and see you at the start of 2013.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      Words like those need to read.
      I agree, he's a repeat offender. C&R works.
      I can't wait.

      Delete
  6. Very good way to spend the holiday and what a payoff! Maybe not in numbers, but sheer beauty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cofisher,
      Thanks.
      Howard your right on, on all counts.

      Delete
  7. Spaghetti on Christmas Eve, very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      Well it was a start. I can't post the whole menu...my doctor reads this blog.

      Delete
  8. That crazy rainbow was still there, I see. Finally a brookie from the other pool. Nice job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RKM,
      Thanks.
      In that pool where I never catch a fish.
      I think that pool is going to very productive.

      Delete
  9. Looks like a few hours well spent...before the snow starts flying!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve,
      Thanks.
      Quite enjoyable buddy.
      It's going to get nasty around here soon.

      Delete
  10. Hope it is not your last trout of the year, but if it is, they are truly fine specimens of winter water!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel Moore,
      Thanks.
      I'm hoping to at least try one more time to get out, if not is was a good outing and year.

      Delete
  11. Alan
    The more I read your post on small stream fishing the more I know I will try some stream fishing come early summer. The streams want be producing trout, but I can land some bluegills, and spotted bass. Some of the streams here are wooded to the point that I would have to do some tight casting, but I feel it would be worth it. I have a 7 1/2 foot fly rod that would work fine. Hope you and the family had a great Christmas.

    I pray this country never has to witness another tragedy like Sandy Hook. I will check out the link later tonight --thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      I remember as a kid fishing this little stream that flowed between two ponds on a golf course. It was full of sunfish, and small stunted bass. It was pure joy fishing that stream.

      Delete
  12. good stuff Brk Trt! See ya in 2013!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Replies
    1. Peter Patenaude,
      Thanks.
      They feel like monsters on it.

      Delete
  14. What better Christmas gift than to fish a small trout stream. Happy Holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  15. tenkara ambassador,
    Thanks.
    A wonderful gift indeed my friend.
    Happy Holidays to you.

    ReplyDelete