Thursday, March 30, 2017

In The Rain, 3-28-17

We were in a series of rainy, drizzly, damp and gray weather, not to mention very cool weather. The stretch was about 4 days and I was anxious to get out. So Tuesday I got the gear together and off I went. Looking at the car top you can see rain drops, not heavy but the very light kind just enough to keep you wet. That was pretty much the way it was on that day. The stream was up and a bit off color. Snow melt has been on going and sometimes that can turn off the fish, but at least I was fishing.



The one thing that stood out very quickly was the stone fly activity. There were bugs everywhere. The banks were full of them and they even managed to get down my neck. I tied on an Adams parachute, which is a good fly when stone flies are about. Fishing this fly as a dry and also working it back as a wet will usually draw a strike, but not today. I switched over to a dark soft-hackle and worked a riffle and was soon into a fish. He parted company after ripping up the riffle. There are times when this disruption can work to your advantage, and it sure did that day.


After several more casts in the riffle I managed to get a taker as well as bringing him to hand.


I worked down the stream finding out that the briar bushes had a good winter. They were healthy and extra sharp. The fishing was not on fire, and the snag from time to time kept you in the game.


Before I was to reel up and call it a day I managed to get one more wild jewel to hand. So I went 2 for 3, and for a stream that took a hell of a beating last year I was pleased at how it and it's brook trout fared.








25 comments:

  1. Glad you got out to fish..... the stone flies were about, nice. I love fishing a black Neversink dry or a Turkey Tail Nymph sub surface when the stones are active..... Beautiful stream.

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    Replies
    1. Doug Korn, Fly Tyer
      Thanks
      Doug a black Neversink dry I have never heard of that fly, must research it.

      Delete
  2. Really enjoyed the image of your roof top rod. Even on an overcast day, it was "glowing" in anticipation of assisting you in your brook trout adventure!

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    Replies
    1. Bill/Tully
      Thanks
      Bill that photo sort of set the tone of the day. Now look at today, gorgeous sunny day and my eyes are so wide from a visit to the eye doc that everthing looks like a ball of fire.

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous scenic photos of the river, surrounding landscape and the brook trout! I can't wait to join you!!! Soon!!

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    Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete it was a fine outing, but I need a change. In a week or so everything will be open...the family secret is calling us......

      Delete
  4. It is hard to time a trip in the on again, off again, weather pattern that you are having and those of who live in Colorado, also. Pretty fish for your efforts, though.

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    Replies
    1. Mel-Fly Tyin Times
      Thanks
      Mel I was going fishing no matter what...as it turned out it was a good decision.

      Delete
  5. Alan, the stream and its brookie inhabitants look great! Props to you for getting out on not an ideal day.

    I may have stated this a while back, but my memory isn't what it used to be. My last time out on my favorite unpopular part of the Swift, stoneflies were abundant. Not many trout seemed to be going after them though.

    Regards, Sam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam Kurt and I observed stone flies about one day. There were several trout in the pool and only a few would take the fly as it danced on the surface. The others just let the offerings go by. I do believe they prefer the nymph that the adult. But when they are about the Adams parachute, and a dark soft hackle will usually bring good results.

      Delete
  6. Thanks for the advice on the Adams Parachute with the stoneflies. I love that fly and have a good number in the fly box for my next time out.

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  7. Alan - nice to see you've been getting out! Fishing late winter/early spring is the most challenging time of the year for me. I out on a small stream last Saturday and didn't get even a bump so you did pretty well to find a few fish.

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    Replies
    1. Mark Wittman
      Thanks
      Mark in plain English March stinks as far as fishing success. There are to many variables. We turn the calendar tomorrow and hopefully the new month will treat us better.
      Watch those white buckets.

      Delete
  8. Alan, love the Cane and Silk! Which model is that?

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    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      Ralph it's the "Hidden Water Series" it's a 5' 2/3wt.
      I also have the 4' 10"...great small stream rods.

      Delete
    2. Nice! Your white model is how I found him. I enjoy his rods a lot.

      Delete
  9. Alan
    Fishing those streams you frequent is enough for me to brave the cold, rain and snow----got to love it!!!! thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill I feel the same way. Like Pete say's "the fish are wet to start" so fish on!

      Delete
  10. Spring weather. Hot and dry or cold and damp. I'll take cold and damp for fishing, any day. My most successful landlock fishing has been during cold, damp Springs. But I will say this, at my age, I now really enjoy the sunshine. Alan, is that you in that photo a few blogs back?

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    Replies
    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John speaking of cold damp spring days, and landlocks. A great streamer fly tyer named Mike Martinek created a Rangeley streamer named "April Snow" his words...the fly reminded me of several bleak days on Sebago lake in April. Those days that there are "No flowers, only snow showers".

      Yes I'm in that photo.

      Delete
  11. The stream looks in great shape Alan..and you took advantage of it..nice photos..

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    Replies
    1. penbayman
      Thanks
      Mike it was flowing very nicely that day. With all the rain of the last few days it's probably now blown out.

      Delete
  12. nice fish and nice photos as always Alan.

    ReplyDelete