Up before the sun, turned the car in the direction of eastern Connecticut and off I went. I had a particular stream in mind, a stream that was an hour plus ride or two coffees. I had not been here since last fall so what to expect was an unknown. As I pulled off the town road and onto the dirt forest road the sun could be seen filtering through the trees. A short drive down the road and I saw the little bridge that I must cross to get to the stream. A quick glance upstream gave me that wonderful feeling that the stream was A OK...Parking the car I soon was geared up and eager to cast a fly.
The little stream, it's dark waters home to some of the prettiest dark brook trout ever to take a fly.
The first strike and hook-up came soon. The brookie that came to hand was not what I was used to from this stream. He was quite colorful.
The stream meanders through some sparse hemlocks, and casting is not an issue.
The next brook trout took a dry fly-twice in fact. He was a fighter and used the stream to his advantage. When at hand he was a bit darker but again not normal for this stream.
I hooked and lost a few in this stretch....yes folks they win at times.
In the little run just under the fallen log a streak came off the bottom and slammed the fly. I could tell the fish was a bit bigger than normal. And as I guided him to my hand I saw a prime example of a native wild charr.
This day was a 10 best so far this year. Hopefully I'll have a few more like it.
Beautiful colors of trout, seem they are very hungry....
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando brook trout are always hungry. They will take almost every type of fly.
That little stream is an absolute gem. Beautiful pictures of the sizable and colorful brook trout it sustains.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder where little streams like this start. Does the water bubble out of the ground like a limestone stream, come out of a marsh or a pond? Whatever the source it has to be cold to keep the brook trout that require cold water.
Regards, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam this stream starts in a swamp, and as it moves it picks up cold water from numerous springs. It flows all year so the trout hold-up OK.
I lost a relative monster downstream under the old bridge. I hope it's still there waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteRKM
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Kirk the old bridge is still there but the pool around it has changed a bit.
Those are some big brookies! Nice!
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan there is a good food source in the stream, and they take advantage of it.
Simply an outstanding day you had!
ReplyDeleteTROUTI
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Pete it's a little gem.
The health of the stream shows. They are eating we well!
ReplyDeleteBrookie61
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Kurt they pounced on any fly presented. But the stream also has some dace.
Those look like some very colorful and good sized brookies for a stream that size.....nice job!
ReplyDeleteChris"Kiwi"Kuhlow
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Chris that stream has been good over the years. I was expecting some really dark fish which are common in the stream.
Beautiful fish! Beautiful little stream.
ReplyDeleteMichael Curry
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Michael you'll find it hard to duplicate.
Wow - what a great trip. Amazing fish live in that stream. It must have a great food supply to support their lives so well. Glad you got to enjoy that time out!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will it's worth the drive. Good amount of dace in the stream.
Some fine specimens for sure! Are you fishing ants already?
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark they sure are...and big yellow beetles.
wow. awesome looking fish!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl
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Theresa they are indeed..love them.
Brook Trout Forest. I like it. That last one was a winner for sure.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz-Shoreman
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Mark, a special place. He was a hefty one.
Aside from the obviously beautiful brookies, I'm amazed more and more with how you manage to fish in those trickles of water surrounded by trees. Thanks Alan, very impressive.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard there is a price paid for such fishing...lost flies, cuts etc. But it's worth it.
Alan that last Brookie is a dandy. Looks like a. Good warmup day for your two fly challenge. I hope your day is successful and memorable.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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The 2-fly should be memorable and that will bring the success.
No more than I can say, but just beautiful. All of it.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Simply summed up Sam. I like that.
Visited that stream during the winter with my wife but didn't fish it. Look forward to fishing it this fall. Home to some beautiful brookies for sure. My wife didn't like the ride down the bumpy road. :-)
ReplyDeleteApache Trout
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John that road is nasty. The stream is a gem.
Holy cow, those are some big brookies! Wonderful post as always Alan.
ReplyDeleteBill Thomas
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Bill that stream will give up a few like that in the course of the year.
Alan
ReplyDeleteSuper nice brook trout taken on another beautiful stream there; those are some of your best brookies. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill they are some of my better fish from small streams.