Monday, December 31, 2012

The Last Brook Trout of 2012

With only hours left in 2012 and of those few hours I had but maybe two to fish. So I decided to fish a stream I had not fished since perhaps May. I found a place where I could park, lots of snow in the way made that some what of an adventure. I grabbed the 2wt and started treking through the snow to the stream. The sun was shinning brightly and it felt good. The stream had a bright blue color to it as most streams do when it's cold.

As I stepped close to the stream, what I thought was hard ground turned out to leaves covered with snow. Soon I was calf deep in the stream and there was that sensation of cold wet water filling my boot. I pulled my foot out, stepped back on firm ground and continued to fish. The activity was very slow, most pools and runs brought one excuse me strike to the wet fly. By now my foot was feeling very cold and I knew my time here was limited. A few more pools and home I must head.


I had noticed a few of these guys on the snow, and even one on my ear. I never actually seen them coming of the water but they were there.


So I was about to tie on a black caddis, it was the closest I had to a stone fly. But the box with those was on the back seat of my car. So I tied on a tan one and sent it drifting into this pool. As the fly drifted to the right of the stick there was a rise. A few jumps and pulls later a brook trout lay at my hand.


A couple of photos of this beautiful gentleman and off he went.


I was about finished at this point, the cold had taken control of my foot. Now as I walk through the snowy field back to my car a good feeling was there. I had taken a wild brook trout on a dry fly this last day of 2012.


An anglers foot prints.


CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

47 comments:

  1. A great way to end 2012.....other than the cold wet feet. Be careful out there in 2013.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      It was a wonderful ending, I hope 2013 can match it.

      Delete
  2. A beautiful fish to end the year. Gratz Alan.

    Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darren,
      Thanks.
      You my friend had a great year, all "365" days.
      Thank you for the year, and your hard work.

      Delete
  3. Hi Alan!

    Nice reading! I hope the foot is OK. In similar conditions I fell terribly bad backwards into a river just when the ice was breaking. I could have "kicked the bucket" (died) at that occasion which was a chocking experience. So I'm just glad to be alive since I was alone when this event took place. Ever since that I've been more careful when it's cold. Nice to see you got a lovely brookie the last day of the year. My fly fishing year of 2012 I'd just rather forget since it was the worst season I've ever had fly fishing. Looking forward to the next season.

    May we all get a good fly fishing season this year,
    Mats Olsson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Jassid Man,
      Thanks.
      I'm usually more careful, but I was fooled by this one.
      I hope angling in 2013 is your best.
      Think spring.

      Delete
  4. A perfect ending to 2012!!! Let's hope 2013 begins where you left off!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks.
      We'll find out in a little while.

      Delete
  5. I bet you had a fantastic day. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. fishermanrichard,
      Thanks.
      A short outing, but very full.

      Delete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stunning pics and nice fish, all the best for the new year!

    Col

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are a luck guy, I am green with envy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,
      Thanks.
      I truly am, and I'm very thankful.

      Delete
  9. Hardly a better way to end the year! Congrats and thanks for taking us along. Excellent pics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Casey,
      Thanks.
      Welcome, it was a wonderful ending.

      Delete
  10. Funny how the cold and snow only adds to our pleasure fishing, how they intensify the enjoyment of being astream.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tenkara ambassador,
      Thanks.
      Your words speak the truth.

      Delete
  11. The first brookie pictured gets my vote for photo of the year...great image! All the best in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve,
      Thanks.
      He was very polite in his pose.
      Happy New Year.

      Delete
  12. I agree with Steve...that first brookie pic is simply stunning! It would make a great framed print for sure.
    Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy New Year Alan. I saw a story on the local TV station about snow shoes. I'm wondering if the cost would out way the cold feet. I know there are times when I would walk to the lake on snow shoes, but won't if I have to tromp through 3 feet of snow. Something to think about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      I thought about purchasing a pair and giving them a try. Good excercise I'm told

      Delete
  14. Alan
    Congrats on the last beautiful brook trout of the season for you---I have to say you are a brave soul to make this journey today, but it was worth the effort to get that one last beauty of the season. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Perhaps consumed by a passion. It was not to bad though, and well worth it.

      Delete
  15. A lovely trout to end 2012, all the best for the new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. brian,
      Thanks.
      He was so colorful, and somewhat feisty.
      Happy New Year.

      Delete
  16. Thanks for sharing your experiences and beautiful photos. All the best in 2013.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jersey Joe,
      Thanks.
      I enjoy bringing them to all.
      Happy New Year.

      Delete
  17. A fitting way to end 2012 Alan. Here's to you and yours and an even better 2013. May your inkwell never run dry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. penbayman,
      Thanks.
      Truly enjoyable.
      Mike, Happy New Year to you and the family.

      Delete
  18. Replies
    1. Peter Patenaude,
      Thanks.
      I don't know if it's the cold winter water brings out their colors more vividly, but it sure looks that way.

      Delete
  19. Replies
    1. Fly Waters Edge,
      Thanks.
      I appreciate the comment.

      Delete
  20. Black Early season stones already? I really need to get out of the house!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill,
      Thanks.
      I never saw them coming of the water, but they were on the snow.

      Delete
    2. Don't believe I've ever seen them hatching from the water. I always understood they crawled out and hatched on banks, logs, exposed rocks and so on. I can say for certain that a properly weighted/sized black soft hackle swung slow low and close to the bank will pick up alot of fish when you start seeing the "peppered snow".

      Delete
    3. Bill,
      Thanks.
      Your right, that's why no flies airborne.

      Delete
  21. Good stuff! Happy New Year and great fishing to you in 2013. Best, Matt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Matt Grobert,
      Thanks.
      I wish you the very best.

      Delete
  22. nice crisp cold waters, i'm sure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. TexWisGirl,
    Thanks.
    Your right on.

    ReplyDelete