As the days of late Spring start to fade and the Summer temps start to rise I alter my fishing times to better take advantage of the trouts feeding habits, as well as cooler temps. Normally I like to start my day on a stream around 9, but these days the sun is up pretty good and so are the temps. Fishing for 4 hours or so brings me to early afternoon and that's not good. So I have two choices, one fish early, 5am or so for starting, this brings me to 9am. Or I sometimes choose to fish the late afternoon into the evening.
Yesterday I chose to fish a stream early. I was casting my first fly before 6. There were some pretty dark spots along the way the spots where wild browns like to feed. There were some insects scattered about some light ones and some dark ones. The streamer was not working, nor was the wet fly. I feel that if a trout does not show interest in the first few pools, I need to try something else. Looking into the fly box I selected a nice meal, for a trout that is. I tied on a Gray Wulff, size 12 and started working. A the fly drifted along a sunken log a trout rose, unfortunately he missed. It was some time, and a lot of misses before pay dirt was reached.
In a deep eddy the trout struck. Soon this handsome wild brown was at hand.
I was to fish for several hours without another fish to hand. I was content to know that the many rises to the fly and although there were no hookups this was to be a fine day.
As the morning moved along and the time to leave was near. I had noticed some sulpurs about. Sulphurs are a pretty little mayfly, and I had a parachute version that has done well for me in the past, and so it did for me today.
A sulphur and a brown. This guy had been hooked before, as evidenced by his healed jaw.
Lupine. This field is a few days from being totally in bloom.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
A very nice brace of wild browns! From your experience, do find the early am or the evening more productive for fishing in the summer months?
ReplyDeleteMark,
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I have had good success at both times. But if I had to pick the best time it would be early A.M. on the small streams.
Brk trt, I like it!
ReplyDeleteI fished the Housatonic in Mass. this past weekend, which is my haunt. Its a big river compared to some of the small streams you write about. Its a good fishery, especially when you don't have a lot of time. You can go there for an hour or so and get into some productive trout water quickly, and leave satisfied.
I too prefer early AM or evening fly fishing............Phil
DRYFLYGUY,
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The Housy is big water. Having water close is a big plus in these days of limited time and high gas prices.
1 or none - but having fished - is always better than not :) A good outing for sure Brk Trt!
ReplyDeleteHibernation,
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Dave I agree.
Sure is beautiful country back there.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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It is indeed. Spring brings out the best of it.
so jealous of your running streams and lush greenery!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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Theresa, walking through some of the meadows in the dawns first light is heaven.
I'm jealous of everything, the scenery, the water, the fish and most of all your fishing and photograpy skills.
ReplyDeleteHoward
Howard,
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Skills well I don't know about that. I will give much of the credit to the Nikon.
Those browns are a fine reward for an early start, love the lupine, we have a form of them in the garden over here.
ReplyDeletebrian,
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Lupine is indeed a pretty bloom.
Love those browns Alan, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLQN,
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They were feisty little guys.
When I can't fish your blog is the next best thing.. thanks
ReplyDeleteRich60375,
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I'm glad I can help, Rich.
Pretty little stream and a nice brown, too boot...............
ReplyDeleteOnce that field is in full bloom with the Lupine, I imagine that you will share that piece of beauty with us all, too.
Mel Moore,
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I hope to bring that field to you in a photo or two.
Alan
ReplyDeleteGreat quality with the images and some nice wild browns brought to hand; fishing times can be a game changer especially you're one who likes the early morning version. For me I land more fish in the early morning hours as opposed to any other time of the day. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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Fish feed freely in the early morning shadows.
There's also a feeling of freshness as the day begins.
Those early mornings on the stream are some of the most enjoyable as far as I'm concerned. You just can't beat waking up with Mother Nature and a good cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
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Like I told Bill there's a freshness to an early morning. And good coffee is as welcomed as the new day.
I'm reluctant to let the springtime feeding patterns go, when trout will rise throughout the day, but I know the change is inevitable, so thanks for helping me brace for it (even though I enjoy the early mornings and evenings, too).
ReplyDeleterivertoprambles,
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Walt, the main thing is we are out there in the environ that we love....no matter the time or outcome.