Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Small Stream, Dry Fly, And Brook Trout

I read a post last week by Mark over at "Fishing Small Streams" about an outing he recently had on a stream that we both love. After reading it I decided to check out the stream and found some surprises. The water flow was good and there were many deep pools. Looking into the water I saw brookies, some darted away swiftly and others just sat on the bottom doing what brookies do.

The air temp the day I fished was warm probably near 60 degrees, the winds were not a problem. A few runs had leaf dams, and usually near these was a feeding brook trout. As I walked along it seemed to me that the trout in this had completed their spawn for they were feeding with a mission.


Not only were the brookies on a mission so were the snakes. I saw a few little guys here and there. If you look closely you'll see one here.


This is a lovely little run, a favorite of mine. I stood upstream and watched several trout feeding on the surface. Bright sun, and clear water was not an issue...they rose freely.


Several brookies like this fellow came to hand from one run.


As I approached this pool I scattered several trout. These fish seemed to be a bit larger. I circled above trying to not spook them again. Upstream I observed them slowly returning to their former positions. I cast the fly and watched it drift. I saw a trout move to it and as it rose I pulled to quickly, but he followed it and finally took it.


In a few moments a beautiful wild jewel was at hand. He was a true giant for this stream and a blessing. As I released him back into the cold water I could not help to think how the will and the fortitude this brook tout had to make it through this past summer. They are a special breed.

As I looked at this photo at home a few features stood out. I saw a hump forming on his back, his teeth were protruding almost like a salmon, and he was in perfect condition......carry on my friend.








26 comments:

  1. That last brookie is absolutely beautiful! Nicely done.

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    Replies
    1. Chris "Kiwi" Kuhlow
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      Chris he was a surprise to me for sure.

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  2. Another awesome day on an awesome creek.

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    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz-Shoreman
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      Mark those are the days I love.

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  3. Replies
    1. Jay Guarneri
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      Jay he is a beauty, that stream has turned up a few.

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  4. I second Jay's comment. Wow - monster for the little pools. Great fish.

    Also - that looks like a "jingler" soft-hackle dry to me in the brookie's mouth: partridge fore-hackle and grizzly aft-hackle. Am I correct? Nice tie -- even if I'm wrong.

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    Replies
    1. spike
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      spike a Jingler indeed. A great fly on streams like this.

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  5. Pretty fall fish. Thanks for bringing us along.

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    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
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      Ralph you have to love days as these, for they will be gone to soon.

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    2. Yes Sir....they sure go by fast.

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  6. All Brook Trout are eye candy as far as I am concerned.......
    That last one is just a better piece of candy!

    My updated link: www.flyfishintimes.com

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  7. Beauties indeed Al. It is so good to see they survived the brutal dry summer!

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    1. TROUT1
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      Pete I'm so happy these guys held on...it says a lot.

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  8. Nice to see that you did well too and that you found some larger brookies hiding in that tiny gem of a stream! Well done my friend

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    Replies
    1. Mark Wittman
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      Mark thanks for the heads-up. That stream has given up a few like it, including a brown.

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  9. Im not jealous..............MUCH...lol :)

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  10. Glad to see such a sizable brookie from that wonderful stream, and I'm also glad you weren't plagued with those rainbows that sometimes wander into there!

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle
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      Rowan once in awhile I still tangle with one of those rainbows. Luckily they stay in the lower end of the brook.

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  11. Alan,
    What a beautiful stream populated with those gems. That last one is true dandy and a survivor. How long do you figure that brook trout has been in there being it is of such good size? Regards, Sam

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    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam I'm told that a brook trouts life span in these small streams is about 4 years. My guess he's at that age now.

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  12. It never stops being just amazing Alan. Thanks once again.

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard buddy I hope it never stops.

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  13. What a healthy looking brookie. The colours on it are gorgeous.

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