I was out brush busting a stream in eastern Connecticut yesterday. What I experienced is something that happens frequently but is not talked of, especially by me. The weather was super, sunny and bright with a breeze. The woods were really starting to show some green and that makes for a happy fisherman.
I started fishing a dry and managed to poke a few. The brookies seemed to be swirling about the fly before taking. This action was new to me and I can't recall ever seeing it.
I came upon a run that was full of the most vibrant green laurel. The laurel was right along the stream bank. Over on the far side of the stream I saw a rise, then another and another. These trout were keying in on something. I got into position where I could make a drift and sent the fly downstream. Expecting a hardy rise and I got nothing. The drift was made again and again and nothing. The brookies were rising again and then I figured out what they were interested in, "midges" they were about in the hundreds. When the breeze came up they were gone the moment it became still the were swarming. I have never witnessed anything like it. I don't fish midges but like most anglers I have a few in my box. I tied on a 18 Griffiths Gnat and sent it out. The fly was impossible to see, but the trout saw it. That fly was slammed repeatedly, and I managed to take several beautiful brookies on it.
The actual fly hatching was much smaller than the fly I fished. I also had several for a snack...lesson keep your mouth shut.
That is a beauty Al! Gorgeous scenery too!! It was a good day to be out and about!
ReplyDeleteTROUTI
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Pete these days are hear and will be for quite some time.
Protein is good for you Alan - so not all bad regarding the midges :). Ha! Looks like a great trip and a really fun stream to fish. I'm with you on midges. I fish them on pretty much only 1 river - a tailwater where it's required. Other than that, not my favorite. Effective though, thats for sure!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous trout!
Hibernation
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Will got a laugh at your comment on protein. Midges can be effective no doubt, but I can't see them on the water. That could be why I don't fish them much.
no skunk cabbage showing up yet here Alan..they are my indicator for something else..fiddleheads..
ReplyDeletepenbayman
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Mike they will be sprouting soon. Fiddleheads that Maine tradition.
Nice going Alan - this is the time of year for midges and I always carry a few Griffth's Gnat for that reason. It's only happened to me a couple of times but those afternoons were some of the best small stream fishing I've experienced. When fish are taking midges the rises are so subtle that you can't tell how big the fish are that are rising and often some of the best fish in the stream will come up during a midge swarm.
ReplyDeleteMark Whittman
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Mark I recall you telling me of one such hatch on a Fairfield County stream. This was the first time I ever saw so many.
Midges.....some of the most enjoyable days in waters past, and also some of the most frustrating days in waters past. :)
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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I can see both happening, and an emphasis on frustrating.
Yep, I learned the midge lesson last fall in Rocky Mt. Nat. Park. Nice going Alan.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard I'm learning most of us have had a midge experience.
I've tied and fished them in the past but these old eyes couldn't tie one on or see the drift anymore. Is that a clipped pectoral fin?
ReplyDeletethedeadfisher
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John, I can't see them either but the brookies did. No it's a perfect fin, only twisted in the movement of the water.
thanks for sharing your time out. :)
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl
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Theresa I do enjoy sharing my little waters.
Alan, fishing midges has become a very important part of my trout fishing in pa. The fish in my area see a lot of flies, plus I fish a lot of spring creeks a virtual breeding ground for midges. Your griffiths gnat is one of my favorites, I fish it down to sz 24. My answer to not seeing it is to add a small sighter , much like your beloved bomber. A simple solution to a nagging problem. Love the photos and the griffiths gnat.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad I remember you mentioning the very selective trout you fish for. Size 24's would be impossible for me. But your idea of a brite spot may help. I will continue to fiddle with these little flies.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThis is a first for me as well, you fishing a midge on a small stream; another learning experience. This one pattern is responsible for me landing countless rainbow on the Sipsey. Size 18 and 20 are my go to patterns. I imagine a size 20 would be difficult to see in some of the fast water you fish there. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Well Bill your another angler who fishes the midge. It's amazing how a trout can see such a small fly.
I've had incredible action with hatchery trout and Grifith's gnat (size 18) yesterday and today. Midgeing has long been a favorite style of trout fishing, for me. I have an HI tonka Prince with a Meisselbach featherlight skeleton and silk line that I use for midgeing.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John it's good to know that. I'll have to try midgeing more often.
That's quite a rod-reel combo you fish.
Beautiful pictures, and outing. Love it when the fish cooperate on the top water/dry fly bite.
ReplyDeleteJustin Carf
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Justin these guy were doing that, only problem was they were eating flies so small I could not see them on the water.