Saturday, January 11, 2014

I went fishing, it was cold, snowy, and I fell.....but that's OK

After a week in the deep freeze I was ready for a walk, a walk along a stream, a walk on some fresh snow with the smell of fir in the air. This day was a balmy 33 and a light snow fell as I walked in. These days are such that just the opportunity to fish is reward enough and the thought of many fish to hand is a far off one. The first pool I came to was pretty much free of ice and on the second drift I had a savage strike. The fish was on and bolted away at a good clip. I felt that the trout was a rainbow, but has he came close I saw that it was a silver chub. Man can these fish put a bend in a rod. I fished for the next hour without a take. I fished the likely spots as well as those that held trout in warmer times, each the same, nothing.

I moved to a different area of the stream and found it to be some what iced in. It had a few open areas and that's where I concentrated my efforts.

In the slower pockets, I fished the Pinkie, as soon as the fly slipped under the ice it took a hit. The fish were tough to hook, and most were off before I could bring them in. There were a few times when I tried to get a little advantage by stepping closer to the water, both times it was a mistake. The shelf ice gave way and one time I went down, luckily I did not slide into the water.


There is incredible beauty along a stream. One need not catch fish to have a memorable day.




This is the area of this stream I call Rbacher it's where a little trib flows in and often produces fish. I let the fly drift along the bank. As it reached the plate of ice I felt the subtle take. Pulling back I knew I had a hookup. The hookup was brief and off the fish went. Several more drifts in the same place brought nothing. On on last drift I let the fly slip way under the ice. Suddenly the line shot upstream, I gained control and as the line tightened I had a good hookup. My first brown, A quick pic and away he went.


As it turned out that brown was the only fish to hand, but that's OK.







36 comments:

  1. Brk Trt, a really nice post for such a early & very cold winter start. I guess we're suppose to catch a warmer break this weekend.

    Keep these great posts going..............Phil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY,
      Thanks.
      Phil I had to get out, 5 days indoors is to much. That's good news, and the week ahead looks pretty good.

      Delete
  2. At least you didn't fall midstream like I did. Nothing like a bath in 30-something degree water to inspire you to keep fishing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RKM,
      Thanks.
      Kirk, I scrambled so fast you wouldn't believe it. Getting wet on days like that is not a good feeling......the inspiration would evaporate quickly.

      Delete
  3. Brk Trt, love the photographic essay. Just being out there and able to fish was a treat and the brown to hand was the bonus!
    Well done!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      Pete the day was wonderful, and the fact that I hooked one like you said a bonus.

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

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  5. loved the snow scenes! beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      It was pretty. I have a few pics of it snowing through the hemlocks, I'll post them later.

      Delete
  6. Nice little brown Alan
    Be careful out there my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      He was indeed. I was careful, that's the reason I slipped.......

      Delete
    2. I hear ya. You should see the rocks where I fish for sea run browns in the saltwater section of my local river. I fall down standing still they are so slippery. I wear a PFD down there just to be safe. The crazy things I do in pursuit of those wiley salty browns.

      Delete
  7. Catching is just icing on the cake. Love the pics of the stream and the little brown too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevin Smith,
      Thanks.
      That's a great way to put it Kevin.

      Delete
  8. Winter along a trout stream can be one of the most beautiful scenes that one can witness. Glad you brought one to hand to put the icing on the cake!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill,
      Thanks.
      They sure are, and on this day just a bit more.

      Delete
  9. As Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues used to say "Let's be careful out there". Us old guys don't rebound so fast any more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      That's good advise Mark. Now if only I would take it all would be better.

      Delete
  10. Beautiful way to stay in shape, all slips and slides aside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. rivertoprambles,
      Thanks.
      That's for sure Walt.

      Delete
  11. Beauty and love is where you find it, Alan. I see both in this post. Don't make it a year of falling. I had a year like that a couple of years ago. Still recovering.....................................

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel Moore,
      Thanks.
      I'm pretty good at staying out of such trouble, just have to concentrate a bit more.

      Delete
  12. welldone alan ,nothing seems to stop you getting out fishing ,and getting the results too despite the conditions. lovely pics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Col,
      Thanks.
      I was home bound for a week because of extreme cold. Yesterdays balmy 30 degrees got me out and about.

      Delete
  13. Wow those pics are incredible! Such a wintery paradise you have over there! The brown is a beaut as well. That mushroom is really cool! Sorry to hear about the fall. Tight Lines

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trout MaGee,
      Thanks.
      With fresh snow and not to bad temps it made for a beautiful day, despite the slip.

      Delete
  14. Alan - I commend you for getting out there in this weather! cabin fever is slowly setting in for me as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LQN,
      Thanks.
      Long there's only so much reading, fly tying one can do......got to get out buddy.

      Delete
  15. Alan
    45 Degrees is my limit in the outdoors fishing, but when you are fishing in that kind of scenery the temp would be a minor factor. Touching and seeing the colors on that brown had to be the highlight of the trip. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.,
      I just had to get out, and like you said that beauty both land and stream overcame it all.

      Delete
  16. You have to be the most prolific blogger I have ever read. Thanks. I love your streamside photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ssj.
      Thanks.
      I see it I take pictures I post them and hope you enjoy them.

      Delete
  17. BT,
    When there is ice on the streams do you still have to stand far away from the hole as to not put down the fish? Also, during warm weather how far away do you keep away for the same reason?
    Thanks and happy New year! Your blog is great!
    CLiff

    ReplyDelete
  18. cphaneuf,
    Thanks.
    The fish are now in a position where they feel safe and don't seem to spook. The object is to place your offering just under the ice. They will come for it. So if you can do this without getting to close to the water, which I can do most times. In warmer times you must use some stealth.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bet that coffee tasted good! and good for you getting out for some snow fishing..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. penbayman,
      thanks.
      Coffee is great at any time, but at the end of a outing it's even better.

      Delete