Sunday, January 19, 2014

January Thaw, a small stream and a top 10

Last week here in the northeast we managed to come out of the deep freeze and begin a January thaw. Several days flirted with that 50 degree mark and with bright sunshine it felt wonderful. So on Wednesday I chose to fish a nice little stream that flows through a chunk of state forest. I've never observed another angler on this stream other than Kirk or Mark. So you can really enjoy the peace and solitude. This was a day that I had planned to fish the usual group of flies, Picket Pin, Pinkie, and perhaps a dry fly or two and that's exactly how I did it.

The stream was incredible. The flow was about perfect, the water clarity was brilliant, and with the sun shinning off of it made it look like ice crystals. I'm thankful places like these are protected from human development and will remain as they are.



This is the fly that took a beating this day. It's a Picket Pin tied on a somewhat different hook. I tied it on a Mustad C53S curved hook. I think if I were to tie in a tuft of marabou for the tail, or perhaps the wing instead of squirrel tail it might also be a fish taker.


This little section has become a favorite. It has a nice long run, it's fairly deep, has some structure, a good set of riffles at the head, and those wonderful hemlocks.

So I let the Pin drift down through, retrieved it several times and was greeted with a swipe in the riffles. So the on the next drift the fish struck and was on.

In a few moments I had the fish to hand. A beautiful wild brook trout. The color as well as the hook on the jaw stood out. A quick photo and off he went.


As many of these beautiful wild jewels I've caught in small streams over the years I might classify this as one of the top 10.





CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE







40 comments:

  1. That is certainly a native worthy of the title!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brk Trt,
    those photos of the stream & runs are beautiful, along with that brookie. What a dandy of a fish, a real jewel.
    Great post..............Phil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY,
      Thanks.
      It all came together that day Phil. One I'll remember.

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous Brookie!!!! A stunner for sure Brk Trt!

    ReplyDelete
  4. For those of us who love the intimacy of a small stream, these are powerful images. What a great brookie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tenkara ambassador,
      Thanks.
      That's what I try to bring forth.

      Delete
  5. Alan
    wonderful colours (French-speaking)...lol.....
    that photo would make an awesome "print" for a tee-shirt....

    I have a real old t-shirt that pictures two dry-flies discussing "who-does-their-hair"....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. flyfisher1000,
      Thanks.
      T-shirts, now there's an idea.

      Delete
  6. Alan
    What I like about the streams you fish, aside from the beauty is the easy access from the bank to the water. Do you lose many flies with hang ups on streams like this? I can see where anything longer than a 6 1/2 ft. fly rod would create problems. Another beautiful brook trout brought to hand---thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      They look easy but looks can deceive. No I don't loose to many flies to the stream side, but instream structure as well as overhead branches will claim a few.

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      Nature can provide some spectacular shots.

      Delete
  8. That run looks fantastic, beautiful brookie Alan.

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    Replies
    1. LQN,
      Thanks.
      It has been good to me. Several nice fish have come from there.

      Delete
  9. what a stunner, that trout is!

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    Replies
    1. Col,
      Thanks.
      He sure was. I'm happy I had the chance to fish that beautiful stream.

      Delete
  10. That is one nice looking little stream and that brookie still has some really nice color to it. Well done.

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    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      I have a theory as to why they have retained their color. Will discuss it in a later post.

      Delete
  11. A lot of my rivertops are iced right now, so I'll fish with you vicariously-- a wonderful run and excellent brookie there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. rivertoprambles,
      Thanks.
      Walt your still socked in the ice age up there. Soon buddy you'll fish again.

      Delete
  12. What a handsome male ! Well done indeed

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    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      He really lives up to the name "wild native"

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      That he was Mark. Good to see that your feeling better.

      Delete
  14. I enjoyed this post as much as any you've posted. It woke me up to realize what I have been missing for a few months. Thanks for everything Alan.

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    Replies
    1. Howard,
      Thanks.
      It's good to see you posting again my friend. I hope you are feeling better, and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      He pretty much had it all.

      Delete
  16. That fish is absolutely beautiful. Should be the picture of next to brook trout in the encyclopedia.

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    Replies
    1. 84d,
      Thanks.
      Sorry for the late response. Your comment was appreciated.

      Delete
  17. That fish is absolutely beautiful. Should be the picture of next to brook trout in the encyclopedia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peyser Chiropractic,
      Thanks.
      Now there's a suggestion I've not heard before.

      Delete
  18. What a trout, and a beautiful Stream!

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is quite a fish! Beautiful colors and really nice size as well. Glad you were able to get out on the water!

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    Replies
    1. David Knapp,
      Thanks.
      It was a nice day, both weather and fish.

      Delete