Saturday I fished a small blue line, one I haven't fished for some time. The early morning rain gave a sparkle to the woods and the new greenery seemed to glisten. Wet spring woodlands have a smell that is hard to describe. Hemlock and fern mixed with flowering bushes along with damp earth combine to hold an angler captive.
It did not take long for the Picket Pin to strike. The brook trout wasted no time chewing the fly.
I had several hookups but they resulted in short distance releases. The fish seemed to be holding in the faster currents.
Several more strikes later I had the pleasure of my first brookie to hand. He would be the first of many. Take notice of the full bodied fly in his lip.
Spring woods. A Trillium wet with rain lies sleeping, waiting for the sun to wake it up. This wild flower is one of my favorites, and in the trips ahead I will take many photos of its beauty.
In this run, along the debris of wood, and leaves. The fly started to slow and hang in the current. In a heartbeat hell broke loose.
Moments later I held this handsome wild brown. He was so heavy with spots they seemed to jump out. Take note of the fly, it's getting thinner.
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| A Wild Brown |
This photo represents a thin blue line. A wild trout stream. This is one of my favorite places on this stream. It is brook trout forest. And it is in this section that a wild jewel was to come to hand.
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| Wild Brook Trout |
Not much peacock herl left on the fly.
The fly of the day. A Picket Pin, tied without hackle. This allows the fly to ride deeper in the water column.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Thanks for the post, it's very nice to see things waking up, green in the woods, and that spring smell in the air. Great way to open the season!
ReplyDeleteMark,
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It sure was. That unique smell of the woods after a rainfall is hard to beat.
The pattern on the brown is beautiful. I'm glad to see you had a successful opening day.
ReplyDeleteRKM,
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He was so well marked.
The stream is in great shape.
Nice job Al! Came across some spooky wild trout in the hills Sunday. Sun was lighting up the pools, they went into hiding. Fished the Picket Pin and couldn't find a taker in the shadows. Put about a 100 miles on the truck. Had an unbelievable surface take at 8pm on sea run brown stream, missed him. I'll be back. Spring is here, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteApache Trout,
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Bright sun, clear water and no green canopy make for spooky trout.
You did some traveling. Those salty browns are haunting you again.
Nice fish! What kind of water temps do you have up your way? Our small streams are still in the high 40's!
ReplyDeleteBrad From Potter,
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The nights have been cool here so the temps in the time around noon have been about 54.
Those brookies are nice, but that brown is spectacular. What a beautiful blue line. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteskyfireblaze,
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That stream is one of my top three I fish here in CT.
Nice! Those picket pins seem to do the business for you.
ReplyDeleteCol,
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That they do. Most times I tie them with hackle.
beautiful looking place and good looking brown. sounds like you had a nice day out.
ReplyDeleteLQN,
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The day was sweet, and colorful.
That's a handsome brown trout for such a thin blue line.
ReplyDeleteKiwi,
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That thin blue line gives up a few like that from time to time.
It's a wonderful stream.
I'm gonna tie some of those.
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank,
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Please do, and fish them. I would love to see your report on them.
great stuff Alan, the stream, trout and trillium are so pleasing to the eye. We don't get Trilliums in the wild over here as far as I know but ive got a couple flowering in my garden just now.
ReplyDeletebrian,
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Trillium is a true sign of spring. As they flower, the brook trout rise.
Your pictures and story carried me away from the snowy cold day I'm experiencing to spring in the east....just what I needed! Thanks! I love that brown's colors as well as those on the brook trout. Beautiful fish!
ReplyDeleteDavid Knapp,
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I've seen snow in many parts of the country. Crazy stuff.
When hell breaks loose in that beautiful setting it must take your breath away. Like that Brown's beauty. Wow. Hell of a fish.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
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It sort of an "awakening". He was nice for sure.
Natures beauty at it's finest!
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
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Pretty hard to duplicate.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI love those streams you fish, because they all seem to be flat banks not high banks, which makes it easy to fish. I am really impressed with the Picket Pin pattern. Do you fish this fly year round? Beautiful trout as usual---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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Luckily they are, for my knees aren't the best. The Picket Pin is a great fly, and I fish then year round. I'll bet they would work well for gills and crappie.
Love those wild browns! Thanks for posting your outing.
ReplyDeleteDave
Dave Homrok,
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You and me both.