Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Old ghosts and venison pasta..."forget about it"

A ghostly photo of Mooselookmeguntic Lake as it nears the Upperdam. The little gray cottage that was a summer home to Carrie and Wallace Stevens sits on the carry road. Below the concrete, wood and stone piers stretch out into the fast and swirling waters that make up the upperdam pool. In these waters the brook trout and salmon swim. They become very strong from the constant currents. In these waters the food is plentiful they include insects in all stages, and plenty of fish in the size that can be easily dined on by the larger predators.

A morning in July of 1924 the "Ghost" was sent into the swirling waters of upperdam, the brook trout that took the fly was a giant 6 pound 13 ounce specimen. Since that day anglers have fished the Gray Ghost in these same waters. The actual amount probably can't be calculated. I for one have fished this fly here annually since the 1980's.

Here are a few of the Gray Ghost's that have searched the waters of upperdam. They have struck several times, and perhaps someday will be fixed in the jaw of another giant.



Venison meat sauce with shell macaroni. Another wonderful dish made with deer meat.
To make use a pound and a half ground venison. Some onion, garlic, fried in olive oil. When softened and the venison browned you add 1 large can of crushed tomatoes. Into the mix add salt, black and red pepper some crushed oregano, and parsley. Bring up to the boil and remove from heat. Stir and return to a very low heat and simmer an hour. Ladle over shell macaroni and eat, "forget about it".

26 comments:

  1. Gorgeous Ghosts BrkTrt. Flies with history like that are awesome, and to fish them in the original water... fantastic. That venison dish looks good for sure - a nice way to stay warm on a late winter day for sure.
    Be well
    Will

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hibernation,
      Thanks.
      It's a nice feeling fishing in such historic waters.

      Delete
  2. great first photo and love your header pic, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      The first pic is sort of spooky, although it was a beautiful day.

      Delete
  3. Those Gray Ghosts look great Alan, love the header picture too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. brian,
      Thanks.
      Very effective flies indeed. I love that brookie photo too.

      Delete
  4. Excuse me while I clean the drool off my keyboard from that venison pasta.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chasing Blue Lines,
      Thanks.
      I've got to start using the lesser cuts of deer. Most of the prime cuts are gone.

      Delete
  5. Venison meat sauce pasta looks delicious. I've never caught a fish on a Gray Ghost. I have a few in my boxes but have had no joy in catching with it. Is there a specific way to fish it? I've used it as a stream to no avail. I do have a few salt water patterns that look like Gray Ghost anchovies that I've had success with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter Carlson,
      Thanks.
      The Gray Ghost was created in an area of Maine where big lakes are many. These lakes all hold smelt a primary forage of brook trout and salmon. In a lake that has smelt the Ghost works it's magic best, for that is what it represents. There are several lakes in CT that have good populations of smelt, as well as the headwaters of a well know CT trout river. I have taken many trout in that lake as well as the section of river that is it's start.

      As far as fishing the Gray Ghost it will work fished in the traditional manor of quartering down stream, and retrieving at various speeds. In lakes, especially early season you can fish it on a sinking line. Cast and retrieve, or it can be trolled.

      Delete
  6. Alan
    A storied fly with a lot of history and tradition. This streamer would work for the spots on warm water lakes imitating a shad pattern. I have never fish this fly but I have seen it a number of times in different fly shops. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      That it does. I'm sure it would work well as a shad offering, it offers a nice profile as well as the right color.

      Delete
  7. Venison spaghetti. Makes my mouth water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      I've got to stop posting such dishes, for they have that effect on me too. Even at breakfast.

      Delete
  8. Now that's a beautiful fly. And that's a beautiful pasta dish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard,
      Thanks.
      Very much appreciated friend.

      Delete
  9. Al: you should come out of retirement, open a fly shop with an adjoining Deli and then you can serve all of your concoctions, both the fur and feathery ones and some of that delectable food you are always whipping up. As some of us already know both your flies and food is addicting!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      Do you think it would work Pete?
      We need to fish.

      Delete
  10. The venison pasta looks like good eatin! Oh man, that top picture of the lake is outstanding!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ah the great gray ghost, no better pasta for a hungry trout or salmon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The "Gray"..just about as good as it gets..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. penbayman,
      Thanks.
      No argument from me on that Mike.

      Delete