Tuesday, August 4, 2015

The West Branch, an Assortment On Glass

In my last post I talked about fishing the lake above the Farmington River. Well Monday I paid a visit and fished Mickey Finn cove. When I started my walk in to the place I would toss some streamers and assorted other flies the sun was just starting to make its rays felt. The sky was brilliantly clear it seem to run competition with the clarity of the lake. The lake was very still and looking out from the rock I would cast from I saw a large brown trout launch itself straight up to a height of 3 feet and enter the water with a thump. I guessed it was chasing a nymph/emerger from the bottom and was determined to eat it.

I was armed with my Cabela's glass rod, the 5'9" 3wt. I cast the Mickey Finn out and stripped it in. The streamer was just under the surface. Within a few strips I had a few fish following. Several cast later and "wham" a take. After several strong runs and countless jumps I was able to bring to hand a nice small mouth bass.


I was able to take another on the Mickey Finn, and then the fly for some unknown reason died. I fished it for a good half hour with out a strike.


I tied on a Crowningshield dry and cast to a large boulder near the shore. There was a deep drop off and it just looked fishy. The fly hit the water and was stationary and motionless when suddenly a fish rose and was hooked. As I brought the fish in I could see it was a small brown trout, about 4 inches. Reaching down I placed my hand under it....gone. I did manage to catch several of these guys with there awesome red eyes.


This area produced a lot of fish. There were several fish that were very nice and several that were spectacular. What clarity.


The best producing dry fly was the Bomber. The smallies loved it.


West Branch smallmouth, a Bomber and a glass 3wt.




There were several other rising fish. One was to hit a fly I call the BA Caddis. This fly is tied on a #10 streamer hook. It was cast and allowed to float and drift with the breeze. I observed the fly and thought to myself something will hit that. Something did, can't say it was a brown for I never saw it. It took that fly to what seemed like the bottom, I have no backing on that little reel. I felt several strong tugs and the line went limp. The fish threw the fly. Man how I love that.


Lots of these on dry flies.


That's not pond scum, that's a reflection of the tree lined shore in a crystal clear lake.


The West Branch small mouths also loved the BA Caddis.



19 comments:

  1. Nice fishes there! I'm sure as the season continues more browns and brookies will make their way into that water.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan my brother-in-law and I fished that place every fall until it iced up, with some awesome fish taken.
      They usually do a draw down in late October and the fishing gets hotter.

      Delete
  2. Smallies on a little 3-weight must bring some explosive energy to that peaceful-looking water!

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    Replies
    1. Rivertoprambles.wordpress.com
      Thanks
      Walt I had a blast. The rod handled it very well.

      Delete
  3. Warm water fishing, eh! Have you turned to the dark side?

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    Replies
    1. RKM
      Thanks
      Kirk the dark side would have to contain the word "salt"......or the fish would have to have scales the size of dinner plates.
      The little streams need water around here, and I don't want to drive to Mass.

      Delete
  4. Never mind Kirk, glad you had a nice morning

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    Replies
    1. Mark
      Thanks
      Mark, could have fished the Farmington, but I really wanted to give the lake a try, and it was a wonderful morning.

      Delete
  5. Man that had to be fun!! Smallmouth have to be one of the most powerful fish pound for pound, they had to be a hoot on that little 3 weight. That water is like looking through air...beautiful place Alan.

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    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher
      Thanks
      Jeff they were awesome in there jumping and their powerful runs. That lake is so clear, and cold.

      Delete
  6. Love chasing Smallies on glass too. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. riverwalker34
      Thanks
      They can really put a bend in your rod, plenty of reserve power also.

      Delete
  7. That looks absolutely awesome - what a blast! Glad you were able to have so much fun!
    Will

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    Replies
    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will it was a nice change from brook trout.

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  8. Replies
    1. TexWisGirl
      Thanks
      Theresa that area is full of mountains and valleys in pristine condition.

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  9. Alan
    That smallmouth had to be a lot of fun on the 3 weight. I assume the lake has a lot of depth? Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill they were awesome. I think the maximum depth is around 100 feet.

      Delete
  10. I don't know how I managed to miss this post Alan, but I was spellbound by the crystal clear water. Thanks for bring this to my attention.

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