Monday, June 8, 2015

Woods, Wild Flowers, and Wild Brook Trout

Yesterday the plan was to meet Kirk and do some small stream angling. This was to be Kirk's first outing in about a month and he was pretty anxious to toss a fly. We arrived at the first stream about 7am, which is about an hour earlier than most brook trout wake up. Over the years of fishing small streams one of the things I have found out is the fact that most brook trout do not like to wake up and start their daily routines until 8am at the earliest. For me the action seems best around 10-11am.

Well at this first stream and on my second cast I hooked a brookie, the time about 7. Not all is etched in stone. As it turned out that was the last fish I hooked for some time. The sun was coming through the trees and bringing the woods to life. It was a cool morning which I favor and the insect activity was minimal. We moved on to another stream and found it to be not flowing with the same intensity as the last stream. We fished a few fast runs, and plunges with some interest paid to our flies. Then at a deep pool that flows alongside a large boulder I heard Kirk shout he had hooked a nice one. As he walked towards me he said he had landed a beautiful wild brown, unfortunately the camera failed due to bad batteries.


The mountain laurel is in bloom and creates some natural beauty throughout the woods. After a brief coffee break we hit the last stream of the day. It's a stream that we have fished many times over the years. The stream holds wild brook trout and has some of the most beautiful streams in Connecticut.


It was along this run that a brook trout rose to the dry. The fish was spunky and full of fight. Moments later I was gifted with a reward.


For a few seconds I was able to hold a wonder of nature. A quick photo and he was back in is home. The colors and orange spotting on this fish make it really stand out.


I moved further downstream to this fast and deep run-pool. An area where you would expect a fish to be. You know what, there was. The brookie hit the Crowningshield and then the action began. This brookie was tough and used the whole pool to try to make his escape. But in the end the little glass 3wt was to much to overcome.


This was one of my better fish taken from this stream. As it turned out it was to be the last fish of the day.


Clear cold water, a must for wild brook trout.


Wild daisies, so fitting..........



18 comments:

  1. Some great photos of a wonderful time of year! Nice to hear you and Kirk enjoyed the day. Thanks for taking us along

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      Isn't great to be outdoors on these fine Spring days.
      We are fortunate.

      Delete
  2. Nice pics Brk, I really should take a look at my fishing gear and get 'out there' this year at some point.

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    Replies
    1. John Wooldridge,
      Thanks.
      You just have to do it, I know you'll enjoy.

      Delete
  3. love it all! the mountain laurel are just gorgeous!

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      Theresa the laurel as it blooms through out the woodlands gives the look of snow.

      Delete
  4. You are right about that first brookie his spots are a beautiful orange color. That second one has some size to him; he must've put up a fight! Those streams are interesting because they have foliage like low gradient, groundwater-fed streams, but have some freestone aspects as well...I guess they're sort of a hybrid.

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    Replies
    1. RI brook trout,
      Thanks.
      That stream has some of the most gorgeous brook trout I have ever taken. That guy knew all the ropes and how to tie them. Never thought of that, a hybrid trout stream. It is spring fed.

      Delete
  5. Beauties Al!!! Nice pics of the stream,brookies and flowers!! Tell Kirk got to check thos batteries!!! Had that happen to me!! Good Stuff!

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    Replies
    1. TROUTI,
      Thanks.
      Pete that's the stream I told you about. I use rechargeable batteries. Keep a fresh set in the pack. When I change them I recharge and put them back in the pack.

      Delete
  6. So nice! I am really liking that Brookie that had some girth too it on the 3 wt. As you said, it was a fun battle but you got the reward of seeing a beautiful fish.

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    Replies
    1. Gramps (Mel)
      Thanks.
      Mel the 3wt handled him. I never get tired of looking at these trout.

      Delete
  7. Alan
    Both you guys are so lucky to have streams of that magnitude to fish; I envy you both!!! Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Bill I know it and I'm so thankful.

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  8. Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      Chris I appreciate your comment.

      Delete
  9. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see such beautiful trout coming out of those small streams. I love it!

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett,
      Thanks.
      Howard I have taken so many of these wild jewels from such waters over the many years, and I still get very excited when I hook one.

      Delete