Friday, December 30, 2016

Brook Trout, Maybe The Last Of 2016

I had plans to fish three streams on this day and that mission was accomplished. As I've said many times these outings are more about an outdoor experience then it is about catching fish, and this outing was classic. When I walked down the path to reach stream #1 of the day I found it flowing beautifully. Just hearing it tumble over the rocks gave me a good feeling. As I got to where I would make my first cast I was a little bit shocked. Beavers had made a dam and it totally changed the streams flow, not to mention the mess around the stream which including the loss of a considerable amount of trees. These guys had made a total of three dams along a quarter mile of stream. There has to be something done...after the first of the year I'll contact the land trust to see if they are aware of the damage going on and if they have a plan on correcting it. Well I fished the stream some and had no luck at all.



I drove to the second stream and found it looking sweet. I reached the first run and tossed in the fly, result nothing. I fished the entire length of that stream with out a bump. No panic on my end for I knew the trout were there for I spooked many. For some reason they were just not feeding.

Finally in this lovely pool I was able to get a fish to take.

A 2 hour brookie....well worth the wait.


On my way to fish the third stream I pass by a small general store. This place has one of lifes pleasures in the form of coffee. The coffee is roasted and blended locally and brewed perfectly. It was delicious "black and hot".


Stream 3, it's actually the same stream as #1 just further up. In this area the stream flows softly and it's pools are long with slight riffles in between. This section has given up some big brookies in the past, but today they were all sleeping. I worked very hard and with a variety of flies but I could not get a take.


Not far from where I was to climb up out of the stream to call it a day I managed to get this fellow to take a dry. I was happy for that brookie may have been my last of 2016.
As Steve Coulton over at "currentseams" stated in his latest post "they had lockjaw today"......









30 comments:

  1. "And Moma in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled in for a long Winter's nap....."
    Time for a rest?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John where did I hear that phrase before....2017, no time to rest. Happy New Year

      Delete
  2. Sounds like a good outing... Something about local coffee, from a local store. It tastes better for sure. If you guys got snow like we did here in N.Central MA - it will be a while before you fish a stream in such clear conditions again... Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will I see how you guys got pounded. That snow will come into good use though. I really love Dunkin coffee but a good change in taste is a pleasure. A great 2017 to you and yours.

      Delete
  3. This summer did some damage to stream #3. I've visited it a number of times and there simply are not as many large fish as there were last year.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan your right...but the smaller ones are still swimming. See you NYD

      Delete
  4. If that was the last one for 2016, what a beautiful way to go out. Happy New Year!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Agneta
      Thanks
      Mike I agree. A great 2017 to you and yours Mike.

      Delete
  5. Our streams (Idaho) have beaver in them as well. The Fish and Game want them there for stream health, but every year the stream channel changes are a surprise. On one of my local streams the best stretch of water was completely submerged by beaver ponds. Sort of a bummer. I prefer running water over ponds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Davis Family
      Thanks
      I'm not a fan of those ponds either. They are really destructive to both the stream as well as the trees along the banks. But on the other hand beavers and brook trout have been living together for a lot of years. Happy New Year.

      Delete
  6. Lockjaw or not, that was certainly a great day to be on the water. I set and stared at the picture of Stream #3, and for a moment, dreamed I casting my fly upon the water.....
    Thanks for sharing the last one of the year, maybe.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grandpa Mel
      Thanks
      Mel that is a sweet spot on that stream. It's gentle flow and very low banks make access comfortable, and also that area around the tree is a brookie hangout. A great 2017 to you and family.

      Delete
  7. Beautiful streams and brook trout as well as great freshly brewed coffee. Who could ask for anything more? Maybe just a Polish paczek donut. Life is good!
    Cheers and Happy New Year,
    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve Hynes
      Thanks
      Steve oh those Polish donuts, resolution only one a week in 2017. Life is indeed good. A great 2017 Steve to you and yours.

      Delete
  8. A successful day on the stream Brk Trt. A fine way to end the year and may we be as successful on NYD!!

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    Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete I have faith in your ability to get on the board NYD. A Happy New Year to you and yours.

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Millers River Flyfisher
      Thanks
      Ken I'll second that thought...resolution to fish the Swift in 2017.

      Delete
  10. A heckuva way to ring in the new year! Beautiful fish! You have some great water to walk. My best for 2017.

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    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      Ralph I'm fortunate to be in and area where I can walk some beautiful parts of the natural world. A wonderful and healthy 2017 to you and yours.

      Delete
  11. Alan, hope you have a happy new year. I hope you didn't drive off with that fly rod on the car,I would have to come to Connecticut to help you find it. Beautiful water and a great way to end the yr. thankyou for an entire year of wonderful photos and beautiful brook trout,it's been great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad I know driving off without putting it in the car happens all to often, I just hope I never do.
      It was a good year all around, and lots of hope for 2017. Happy New Year to you and yours.

      Delete
  12. Thanks for always bring out the positive Alan. Happy New Year to you my friend.

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard as you well know there is to much negative going on out there. If enough of us keep pushing positive vibes perhaps we can change things. A great 2017 to you and yours.

      Delete
  13. Perfection at its best Alan. Have a good New Year and tight lines for 2017

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    Replies
    1. George
      Thanks
      George I do hope your 2017 proves to be just as you want. Happy New Year.

      Delete
  14. Alan
    Gorgeous streams and colorful brookies, what a way to end the year---Happy New Year Alan!!!

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill a great ending to a wonderful year. Happy New Year Bil and family.

      Delete
  15. Now that's my idea of wintertime happiness, Alan.

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    Replies
    1. Fading Angler
      Thanks
      Chris it was a great way to end the year.
      A Happy New Year Chris.

      Delete