Monday, September 2, 2013

Septembers First Outing


A spooky early morning stream
Sunday morning was to be my first outing of September. A new month and the beginning of the new season, unofficially that is. I chose to fish a small stream located deep in a forest. This stream holds a good population of wild brookies and generally runs cold even through out the warmer months. The night before some parts of the state received heavy rains which is welcomed at least by us small stream guys. As I pulled off the road and onto the dirt service road I could tell that this area got rocked with rain. The pot holes were full of water and the trees were still dripping.

The streams access point is about a mile or so back into the hemlock and hardwood forest. It seemed a bit spooky driving through the woods on this misty, foggy and somewhat dark morning. Nearing the stream I could hear water rushing. I said to myself that can't be the stream. The closer I got to it the louder the sound was. As I pulled off the road to park I got my first look at the stream. I could not believe what I saw. This little mountain freestone brook was ripping. Seeing this I knew I had a tough outing ahead.

I figured with water as such my choice would be to fish the slower pockets with a wet fly, and that's what I did. After many casts and several spots without a response I thought to myself this is going to be one of those days when I would earn my fish. Then on one cast that veered off course into some very heavy current a trout grabbed the fly. He was on a brief time then departed. I cast the fly in a similar current and it was taken.


Early Autumn Colors
My first brook trout to hand on this day was beautiful. This fish was in almost full spawn colors. Perhaps with the higher flows of the stream he was moving upstream to the place where he would start the next generation.


The stream gave up a few more of its brookies.


As well as some vibrant colors along the stream.


This run/pool gave up several hard strikes, and one very beautiful brook trout. A male in good color showing a slight kype.


A Connecticut Wild Brook Trout


Click Images To Enlarge













28 comments:

  1. Wow, that stream looks way quick. Good job bringing some to hand, the colors look great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Swamp Yankee,
      Thanks.
      It ran pretty swift for a spell. Those brookies were attackers in it.

      Delete
  2. the running water makes me SO jealous! we need rain to refill our pond SO badly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      From your posts I would agree. Hopefully the rains will be with you soon.

      Delete
  3. Alan - lots of rain indeed over the weekend, that little stream looks raging. All good news though for our brook trout friends. I love your first picture, just beautiful quiet woods at first light.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LQN,
      Thanks.
      More water is always better than less. It should be a good Autumn.

      Delete
  4. That is one beautiful little stream. The red cardinal flower goes perfect with those brookies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      It"s a sweetheart for sure. Thanks for the ID on the flower.

      Delete
  5. One beauty of a stream you found Alan.
    We didn't get any rain down my way. Just a sprinkle.
    The sea run brown trout river across the street is looking pretty sad.
    I'm going to leave the rod at home (water still too warm to fish) and do some low water scouting there some evening this week.
    Hope to see if that two foot salty brown is home.
    Come winter he'll be seeing a streamer or two of mine. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      Come colder weather I'm sure you and a streamer will bring one to the net.

      Delete
  6. The brooks are really ripping here in Maine Brk Trt..3+ inches in my back yard.. Glad you were rewarded for your patience..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. penbayman,
      Thanks.
      Mike lots of water makes for some fine Autumn angling.

      Delete
  7. Brk Trt,
    some beautiful rewards after really working those ripping streams.

    Awesome.........Phil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY,
      Thanks.
      It took a little time finding where they were holding, and the fly did the rest.

      Delete
  8. Beautiful stuff Alan...That first picture of the creek in early morning , just magical!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      Beautiful it was....and a bit spooky.

      Delete
  9. Alan, thanks for the lesson in persistence and flexibility. That stream looks like it is really raging but fish can still be found it you adjust tactics and fish the softer seams along the banks. Wish we had had more rain in the Adirondacks, the brooks are really getting thin!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      Once you learn to adapt chances are you'll hookup.
      Parts of the state got hammered and others not so good.

      Delete
  10. Always a good trip when I go along with you (on the blog of course).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      I enjoy your company buddy.

      Delete
  11. Nice to see the small streams got a much needed drink there Brk Trt!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      They have been refreshed nicely Pete.

      Delete
  12. The water volume and the lovely colors say it all. New season!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. rivertoprambles,
      Thanks.
      Walt that's for sure, and I love it.

      Delete
  13. A day late, but, I am here to let you know that I appreciate your skills and ability to make us guys and gals who aren't there feel like we are. I felt the mist and fog from just reading your post. Brookies are a thing of beauty in the fall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel Moore,
      Thanks.
      Your never late at S.S.R. Mel. Your comments are always welcomed.
      And fall is the brook trouts time to shine.

      Delete
  14. That stream is definitely moving! Better than being bone dry though and the brookies are absolutely beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill,
      Thanks.
      I'll take the high water every time, the trout would probably agree.

      Delete