Thursday, November 6, 2014

"Old Dam Brookie"

Over the years I've attended many fly fishing shows, and most were quite interesting. Then they seem to have taken a high end commercial feeling and I don't care to much for that so I no longer attend them. There was a show I did attend at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center some years past. The gathering was small and friendly and featured everything from flies to bamboo rods with books and art work. While looking I spotted a nice art print it featured a fly angler fishing a lovely pool below an old dam. The angler was into a nice fish, one could tell by the bend in his rod. The print was titled "Fishing Below The Old Dam" by Arthur Shilstone.


Monday found me angling about a lovely little stream. A bright sunny early November day which would bring about some delightful temps. I have fished this little gem a few time but have not ventured very far up. This day I would try it and see what it held. Fishing as I moved upstream I was given the pleasure of catching several feisty brook trout. These fish were not fussy, and took most all my offerings.

As I moved into new territory I spotted the remnants of a washed out dam. The pools and the little falls were such a pleasure to see. One of the pools was quite deep, and shadows of the breached dam walls made it nice and dark. Looking at the pool I knew there had to be a trout holding there. I positioned myself and sent the parachute looking for a taker. It did not take long for as soon as the fly hit the water I had a rise, but a miss. Several more casts produced nothing. I tied on a Elk hair caddis and on the second cast the fish rose again, the result was the same, a miss. I changed to a small Mickey Finn and worked the pool. The streamer was not hit but its red and yellow colors managed to show me the trout that held in the pool. He followed the streamer and I saw him, a beautiful colored brook trout.

I went into the box and pulled out a bomber and tied it on. Waiting a few moments to allow all to settle down, I then sent the bomber flying. The fly landed softly and was sent turning by the swirling waters. From the dark pool came the rise, the strike, the hookup. The fish was on and he used all of the pool to seek his release. The finish is what I hoped for. A quick photo and a fast release along with a thank you.

A small stream, a memory, and later some reflecting on what a beautiful day this was, at "Old Dam Brookie"



22 comments:

  1. Nice outing Alan. I'm going to try to attend that show in Danbury, never been. Coming up next Sat. & Sun. The tying show in NJ is the following week. Never been to that one as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      I think it was the second year of the Danbury show I was invited to tie streamers there. The show was well done by all.

      Delete
  2. loved that old dam! your post reads like a love story. :)

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      Teresa that's a unique take I must say.

      Delete
  3. Nice job Alan - I think there is even more water to explore above the Dam!

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    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      I agree it must be explored, perhaps next week.

      Delete
  4. Nice work and persistence! The bomber comes through again. I love the picture that has the bomber hanging out of the brookie's mouth. Great to see that the dam is no longer blocking the brook, and it is actually providing some awesome habitat. Nice story about the old dam that has a great conclusion!

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    Replies
    1. RI brook trout,
      Thanks.
      That dam being out of the way indeed opens up some more water for the brook trout to further their spawning. I'm not certain what lies upstream, but I will investigate it.

      Delete
    2. We all look forward to hearing about your exploration!

      Delete
  5. Alan, thanks for this particular post...I needed it.

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    Replies
    1. Howard,
      Thanks.
      Good to see you reading and commenting.
      Be good buddy.

      Delete
  6. Great story Alan....that is one beautiful looking piece of water , couldn't imagine a better place to spend some time.

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    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      I truly enjoy that little stream, and all it offers.

      Delete
  7. Your persistence paid off............................
    What a beautiful ending to another great time on the water....
    God bless wild Brookies.............................

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    Replies
    1. Mel Moore,
      Thanks.
      When it comes to fishing I can be persistent, other things well maybe not.

      Delete
  8. Love it! Beautiful stream, beautiful fish, looks like a great trip!

    Troy

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    Replies
    1. Troy Holt,
      Thanks.
      Troy I'm happy you find the little brook enjoyable.

      Delete
  9. Beautiful little stream with brook trout to match.....nice!

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    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      Chris they do go together rather nicely.

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      I do to Jim. Most angling ventures end happily.

      Delete
  11. I keep coming back to read these gems.

    ReplyDelete