Sunday, April 9, 2017

The Start, Opening Day, In A Different Setting

Yesterday was the opening day of Connecticut's trout season. With that brings the multitudes of youngsters and oldsters to the larger and very heavily stocked rivers and lakes all trying for their limit of trout. There are a few of us who prefer to fish lessen known waters for wild trout. Yesterday morning I met-up with Mark and Kirk to fish a lovely small stream. It was cold and we even saw snow and sleet at one point, but neither would dampen the spirit of adventure that lay ahead. Mark had graciously brought hot coffee and muffins along with buttery croissants. It was a good start to what was to be a fine day.



The stream was up from the recent rains and was no doubt running cold. By the way this stream was but a mere trickle last fall, but perhaps that's for another post. I had a Hornberg on and that's what I started with, but after awhile I soon realized they were not looking up. So the progression started, first soft-hackles, then winged wets, and finally bead-heads. It was the bead-head that was to be the best choice for me this day.


I dropped the bead-head in a swirling pool, the line moved very swiftly then stopped. I lifted the rod tip and felt the fish. In a match of strength I was able to convince the trout to stay out of the woody debris that had been deposited there by the heavy rains of spring. I slid my hand under this magnificent wild brown.


Kirk attempting to bring in a brook trout..


About mid-morning the sun broke out and man did it feel good.


I look pretty good despite what happened to me last year...I agree.


Mark getting down to business. Low and slow will usually fool them.


This stream is a classic New England freestone stream. Various waterfalls, some big and some small.


The stream travels though a valley with plunge pools and swift runs.


It was in one of those plunges that I was to find a true survivor.


This wild jewel not only survived the drought of last year but also the grip of a predator...the scar marks were very visible.


So a new season was launched today, a season welcomed by a few like minded souls who find a few wild fish in a pristine setting to be special gift.


















22 comments:

  1. Us small stream guys probably have more fun than anyone on opening day! That little brookie looks to me to have survived an attack or two from a larger fish! I've seen those same bite marks on spawning fish.

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    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan fly fishers who never fish small streams don't really know as Datus Proper said "real fishing".
      I'm trying to picture another fish trying to eat that brookie.

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  2. An outstanding post Alan!! Gorgeous photos of the scenery, wild trout and the brook11 good to see you all got a few. Hope to join you soon!

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete we missed you...but we indeed will fish.

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  3. Special times with special friends and some gorgeous special fish is hard to beat. Good to see the stream recovering and some fish that made it through some hard times......

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    1. Mel-Fly Tyin Times
      Thanks
      Mel every time I fish one of these hard times streams I am amazed at how the natural world takes care of itself...we could learn much if....

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  4. Hi Alan, Good job. I'll start my trout season tomorrow. the crowds should be gone. I use bead heads also, because they're so effective. I just hate the way they look. More like a micro jig, to my eye, than a fly (e.g. a catskill dry). The older I get the more I prefer the old ways.

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    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John good luck on your season start, you'll have beautiful weather.
      My style is dry, wet-soft-hackle, streamers, old style, and at the bottom nymphs.

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  5. Alan
    What a great post to lift the spirits of a fly fisherman in the south who wishes he could go back in time and move your way. Beautiful images--thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill we are blessed here in New England with some beautiful trout waters. I do my best to enjoy them.

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  6. Trying to convince fish not to go into places that could break you off is always fun! What a great time I had recently fishing in small streams. =) The small fish are so beautiful.

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    1. The River Damsel
      Thanks
      Emily those little guys seem to know just where to go when they feel that steel.
      Compact beauty.

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  7. Alan - thanks for suggesting this opening day alternative a few years ago! Its was great once again to be out with you and Kirk on opening day. Here's to a new season full of days chasing wild trout in small streams!

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    1. Mark Wittman
      Thanks
      Mark it's just the beginning. It was great fishing with you guys.

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  8. Alan, those are awesome pics. The one with the trout that has bite marks... looking at the shape of the bites, I wonder if it was a water snake. Looks like the water snake I got pic's of last year eating a brookie on the swift here in MA.

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will I may have been a snake, I've seen them in that stream before. I saw that post you placed with the snake-brookie encounter. This guy came out OK.

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  9. Glad that stream is back in good shape and that the brookies and browns survived its down to a trickle stage. Amazing to me that brookie escaped the jaws of that snake or whatever it was. That is one tough fish. Beautiful pictures, all of them.

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Will I am amazed at the recovery of these streams, tough buggers these wild trout.

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  10. Great to read of small streams in New England from over here in ol England :-) I'm planning my second trip of my season tomorrow to a similar but less woody stream. I hope I have a day as good as yours :-)

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    1. AndrewW
      Thanks
      Andrew great to have you here. I hope you will keep us informed on you ventures.

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  11. Great looking spot and report Brk Trt..

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    1. penbayman
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      Mike we have fished this stream several times for opening day, we love it.

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