A day with an unexpected ending.

I fished a stream yesterday that I'm familiar with. It is one of Connecticut's prettiest by far and holds a good population of wild brook trout, and the surprise brown from time to time. The brook has a few feeder streams with one in particular that I have fished and reported on. Along its banks is a beautiful red barn, and not to be outdone by the barn the wildflowers put on a color extravaganza worthy of the time to sit there and just take it in.

This day was not unlike others, I chose to fish the main stream which took me a good two hours. I hooked many brookies, all on dry flies but felt a little bummed out. For as many as I hooked not a one came to hand. Still a good day and I still had a hour to fill up before I had to leave.

I decided to fish the red barn brook. The few times in the past that I worked its waters I have done well. I remember fishing a deep pool right under a stone bridge and taking an impressive brook trout on a size 10 Picket Pin. Another time a beautiful brook trout slammed a BA Caddis, which is another large fly. So I opened the fly box and looked for a BA Caddis, none there, because they are all at home. Continuing to look for a suitable alternative I noticed a couple of stimulator's. I selected an orange bodied one and started fishing. I fished the stream a few yards upstream of the stone bridge.

It did not take long before I had several strikes. The issue was the fish taking the fly or should I say trying to take the fly were no bigger than the stimulator.

With time running out and still nothing to hand I had convinced myself that I had a wonderful outing. Casting the fly into a riffle which is seen on the right side of the stream. As the fly ended its drift a fish struck. I felt the hook set and the fight was on. Several moments passed and the trout showed no sign on submission. I could tell the trout was a nice one, and hoped the hook wouldn't pull free. The little glass rod did well in handling the trouts runs and shakes.

What seemed like an hour of battle the trout finally gave up. As I reached in the water and placed my hand under him I could not believe what I saw.

This is by far my largest brook trout of 2015. Beautifully colored, gorgeous blue halos, a true masterpiece. And to think I was about to call it a day.

BA Caddis on the left, and a Stimulator on the right. Always keep a few in you box.