Saturday, March 2, 2013

March Brown

I was finally able to get a few hours angling time in yesterday. This week has been pretty filled with all sorts of personal trials, and it felt good to just be outdoors. Since most of the streams are closed in Connecticut, for the next month and a half, I selected a Class 1 wild trout stream. These streams are open all year. It's been some time since I've fished here and the winter has been rough on the stream. Blow downs and debris were everywhere, and some pools and runs were completely changed. The water was a bit high and somewhat off color from the snow melt. I did not take a stream temp, but it felt "not bad". I began fishing a caddis dry trying to take my first fish of March on the dry. I'm always an optimist and fished that fly for some time.


While moving along the stream I noticed mixed in between the snow and where melting had taken place this sure sign that we have turned the corner on winter.


As I approached this run I drifted the caddis along the bank. As the fly ended its drift it held tight along the bank. In a second the water erupted and the fly went under. As I lifted the rod I had the feeling of "nothing there". And that was the case. I continued to fish that bank for awhile. I changed flies, trying a streamer with no success. I tied on a Picket Pin and proceeded to work the run and the bank. On what was perhaps the forth drift the fish struck. This time he was on. The little 2wt had all it could do to keep the fish out of the tangles that lie under the bank, eventually winning out. I soon placed my hand into the water and under a handsome wild brown.


As I closed out my time on this day I had several things to thankful for. A sign of Spring, a rise to a dry fly, a wild brown to hand, and the fact that I never got wet. The snow along the banks was like walking on Crisco.


The little tributary, will be fished the next time.


CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

28 comments:

  1. Brk Trt, nice post! I like the idea of getting out and wetting a line.
    Skunk cabbage already?? That is a sure sign of Spring...........Phil

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hope all is well...I finally managed a trip out yesterday as well and took a header into the snow around Hogback. The snow is still deceivingly deep in some spots. Signs of spring are around it you look...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve,
      Thanks.
      Things are OK. You've got to careful on that snow for sure.

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous colors on that brown!!!

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    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      It had nice spots also, only photos can't show them at times.

      Delete
  4. Alan
    Another great looking stream, with some fantastic runs and easy casting---this one is my favorite so far of all the streams you have fished. I like the openness of the area and the fact it is accessible. Thanks for sharing another great post. ----oh and that brown trout is awesome

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      This stream really opens up in this area, unlike further downstream.

      Delete
  5. Very nice! Good to find some fish willing to rise even if you didn't connect on the dry. Glad you had an enjoyable trip!

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    Replies
    1. David Knapp,
      Thanks.
      The rise is so exciting. It never lessens no mater how many times you see it.

      Delete
  6. i've said it before, i don't fish, but i enjoy the views you share of the streams and woods. :)

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      I enjoy bringing them to you.

      Delete
  7. Nice job. I'm glad you got out. I'm sure you had more fun than I did working.

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  8. Love the optimism,love the payoff--beauty. And very good to see the skunk cabbage. Hope this week is better for you.

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    Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      Stick to it....I guess.

      Delete
  9. Those pictures are enough to get your fly fishing juices flowing.

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  10. You always do a great job of describing the moment and the photos as well are wonderful.

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  11. Great pictures! Congrats on the brown trout. This stream reminds me of one that I fish often here in Virginia.

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    Replies
    1. Jake Whalen,
      Thanks.
      I here VA. has some beautiful trout streams.

      Delete
  12. Good to see you got out!, and boy do i love seeing a dry fly getting taken, when the banks are snow covered. Nice wild brownie, and great photos.

    Johnny

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    Replies
    1. Johnny Utah,
      Thanks.
      It seems as if winter is beginning to get the best of me. Need some sun and a little warmth about now.

      Delete
  13. When I saw that little plunge pool in the first photo, my casting arm began to twitch. I haven't been able to fish for about three weeks, and the withdrawal process is getting kind of ugly.

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    Replies
    1. tenkara ambassador,
      Thanks.
      Sorry you have those pains. I'm sure you know what the fix is.

      Delete
  14. Alan, I am a day late getting to your post, but, certainly not disappointed. Beautiful looking stream. That bank sure looked good to me. Persistence paid off for you. As always, thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Rainbow Chaser,
      Thanks.
      Buddy at our age a day late is like being on time.
      This time of year slow and steady is the game.

      Delete