Wednesday, April 23, 2014

"Earth Day" 2014

Earth Day 2014 what better way to celebrate than to get out and do some stream exploration. I chose to visit a few streams that I have not fished since last year. I also took along a rod that has been in storage since early Autumn.

The day was perfect, bright sunny skies, temps in the sixties, and not much wind. There were insects about but no risers. But the thought of fishing the dry was first on my mind and that's what took place. I tied a fly for this day built on the pattern of Don Gapen, later refined by Fran Betters in a mini version, and fine tuned by Mark to include a yellow wing. With that many variations how could my version be different. Well it is and I'll post the fly on a later post, but I'll tell you it's a mini-mini muddler.


The 5 foot 2 weight Cabelas TQR, and the mini-mini muddler.


This stream took a great deal of change since last I fished it. The stream path has completely changed. There were large blow downs, and massive wood jams. With that much surface change the bottom was also altered. It was like fishing a new stream, and The spots had to be located again. Such as this one, any stream with a undercut, with good flow and a nice bit of shade had to hold a trout....and it did.


As the fly worked in the current the fish swirled and took. The battle started and the TQR was tested. What was soon at my hand was a surprise, it was not a brookie but a wild brown. I can't remember catching one on this stream before, but it was welcomed.


"Trout Lilies" a true sign of Spring. Theses are my first sightings, and in full bloom.


Moving upstream the bug activity became intense. There were little flies all over, and even a rise or two. I tied on a "Bomber" and was rewarded with a nice brookie.




Some more Spring flowers. These were delicate bright white flowers of which I don't know the name.


Places like this get this anglers BP up a few notches, and for good reason. Pools, runs, pockets, a deep hole and overhead cover usually make for some interesting outcomes. I drifted the bomber and as the fly reached the shade a trout struck. The fish was on briefly but soon departed. Several more casts and again the fish struck. I don't know if it was the same one or not but it had to caught. I replaced the bomber with the mini-mini muddler and made a cast or two. As the fly drifted way towards the back of the bridge a fish hit. He put up a strong showing for himself using every bit of the pool to shake the fly. Moments later I slipped my hand under this fine fish.


A wonderful way to spend some time on this Earth Day 2014.


CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE











35 comments:

  1. Envious of your day, but thanks for sharing my good man.

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  2. Lovely pictures of the nature in it's prime and beautiful trout! Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. The Jassid Man,
      Thanks.
      Nature is sweet when she wants to be Mats.

      Delete
  3. I'm having one of those days...a little time on a beautiful small stream is just what I needed this morning.
    Thanks for taking me along.

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    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      Glad to have helped my friend.

      Delete
  4. Good Stuff Al!!! Good day to be out in the wilderness .

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    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      Pete I'm not sure about wilderness, but there was one hell of a ruckus in the laurel thicket.

      Delete
  5. A great day, perfect trout from a perfect stream. Not entirely sure but could the little plant be a Sanguinaria of some sort?

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    Replies
    1. brian,
      Thanks.
      I appreciate the flower ID. I see so many tiny wildflowers out there and they are beautiful.

      Delete
  6. Great photos as always the plant is called blood root. Larry

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    Replies
    1. Karen Leight,
      Thanks.
      Larry good to hear from you.

      Delete
  7. i love all the rich browns in your photos! beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      They are starting mix well with that wonderful green.

      Delete
  8. Great post Alan, you've inspired me to head for a small stream this weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Col,
      Thanks.
      That's great. I'll be waiting for that post friend.

      Delete
  9. Wonderful, Alan. Well done as always,

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  10. Beautiful stream, Alan, thanks for sharing your time with us. That last Brookie is an awesome fish. Surprise, Brown, too!

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    Replies
    1. Mel (Pond Stalker)
      Thanks.
      Never pass up a good bridge buddy.

      Delete
  11. An Earth Day (or any day for that matter) well spent! Nicely done as always, Alan.

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  12. And what good weather we had here in CT yesterday! It was he perfect day to wet a line.

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  13. Happy belated Earth Day to you, Alan. Was wondering how you like that 5-foot TQR. The catalog describes it as "moderate-fast action" which may be too fast for me in tight quarters, but the rod looks nice. Other than that, I think those white flowers are called "blood root."

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    Replies
    1. rivertoprambles,
      Thanks.
      Walt I love mine. The action is a soft- moderate action and works well for me.

      Delete
  14. I had to work yesterday. It was a perfect day to go fishing. Great pictures and thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Savage,
      Thanks,
      It truly was just about perfect. Your fishing days will soon come.

      Delete
  15. It's getting harder and harder to squeeze a comment in here! Alan, you sure know how to celebrate Earth Day!

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    Replies
    1. Howard,
      Thanks.
      Comment away my friend. I was over at your place a while a go and I see you have been fishing. That's great to see.

      Delete
  16. A fine outing! Love the picture of the trout lily. I beleive the white flower is twin leaf which looks like blood root (Sanguinaria) but the twin leaves are the difference.

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    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      Trout lily along with trillium are my favorites, not really, all wild flowers are.

      Delete
  17. What a nice surprise that brown must have been! Remarkable all around as usual :)

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    Replies
    1. Michael Curry,
      Thanks.
      I know they are in there, but can't remember catching one before.

      Delete
  18. Alan
    I am so glad you finally had some good weather to fish some of those outstanding streams. I think you have seen the last of winter. That section under the bridge is fantastic. I am always impressed with the brook trout and of course the combo you used while landing those trout. Thanks for sharing

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