Saturday, November 1, 2014

A Halloween Blue Line

Halloween, the last day of October. This was a day to finally meet up with Mark and fish a small blue line. We have been trying for a long time to fish together but could not make it work with our schedules, and it all came together on the last day of October. The day started out sunny and bright with a definite crispness to the air. The skies then turned to a November gray, with the sun trying its best to work back in.

There were no visible signs of rising fish so I chose to fish a wet fly and that was a good choice. The brookies were on that fly in short order. Mark was using a yellow mini muddler, fishing it dry. He floated it through a long smooth pool. As the fly neared a large submerged rock a fish struck and missed. He returned and the second time was on.

So a decision was made to fish dries, and the first choice for me was the Ausable Bomber.....good choice.

My first fish of the day. This nice male took a wet fly drifted through a heavy riffle.


This is where the bomber made an appearance. Nice water, and they hit the fly well.


Bombers and brookies are like bread and butter.


I spotted this little fellow looking at me and wondering what I was doing. He sat there watching me for several minutes. Not feeling threatened he continued to observe.


He said I may as well have a snack while watching the show.


I continued to fish dries, changing to a Mr. Rapidan parachute. The fly worked very well. As the afternoon moved on I had to leave, but Mark continued to fish. It was good to finally meet and fish again.



23 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      Lots to keep me company out there.

      Delete
  2. Very good way to put a wrap on a beautiful October. Will November bring Brookies feeding on dry flies, or, is your plan pretty much wet flies during the coming month?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel Moore,
      Thanks.
      Mel I'll keep fishing dries well into December. Most times I can coax one or two to the surface.

      Delete
  3. Alan - A nice afternoon to close out October, glad we were able to finally find the time to fish together. Always a pleasure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      It was good, and the brookies played along on the surface.

      Delete
  4. That last brookie is a nice one! Love the blue halos on these fish. That bird was quite interesting. What type of bird is he?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RI brook trout,
      Thanks.
      Those spots were so pronounced. I believe it was a sparrow, if not one of the readers will let us know.

      Delete
  5. The bird is nice and plump, very well prepared for winter. Very clean fish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RM Lytle,
      Thanks.
      He was well fed, and friendly.

      Delete
  6. Nice post as always, Brk Trt...I think you've got a juvenile Goldfinch there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dymer Kolbitar,
      Thanks.
      I knew one of SSR readers would come through.
      Thanks for the ID

      Delete
  7. NIce job Gents!!!! Photos are always great Al!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      Pete we worked hard, but someone has to do it.
      This stream is on my list for New Years.

      Delete
  8. Nice end of October day for you guys. It's good to see that dries are still working.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RKM,
      Thanks.
      Kirk that it was, now it feels like winter.
      Dries were working well. November will still bring a few to the top.

      Delete
  9. Good friends, good photos, good reporting. The bird photos seem to be of a female pine siskin, a relative of the American goldfinch (they often hang out together).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. rivertoprambles,
      Thanks.
      Walt thanks for the ID and a little background.

      Delete
  10. Thanks for the correction, rivertoprambles...it's always nice to learn something new!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just wanted to say, I love your blog! I am a long time reader, and have probably read and re-read every post a dozen times. There's just something about small streams that has always captured my fascination, probably the beautiful scenery or sereneness. Your blog actually inspired me to recently start my own blog (flyfishma.blogspot.com), focusing on fly fishing in MA and local streams and brooks. Keep up the great job, and know that your blog has had an impact on many.

    ~Troy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be adding your blog to the list of my usual reads. I am a MA native and usually travel out of state for brookie fishing, so I can't wait to see your posts.

      Delete
    2. Troy Holt,
      Thanks.
      I truly appreciate your comments. They do mean a lot to me.
      I'll be sure to check out your blog.

      Delete