The morning air was thick, the humidity could be felt, and the little breeze that was stirring did nothing to keep the bugs grounded. This was the start of a day in brook trout forest. The stream was flowing nicely, low and clear. Movements would be seen and there would be no place to mask ones self from the keen eyes of the wild brook trout that call this stream home. People who have fished with me know that I always fish with a downstream presentation, but this day an upstream approach was called for.
In several pools I observed the figures of brook trout, and suddenly they were gone.
In this pool a brookie was stationed almost motionless, it was sharp eyed and would not miss a morsel of food that may be floating in the current. A short upstream cast and the brookie was on the fly.
Lovely,wild and in beautiful condition.
This is the 2nd of August, and the streams water was a cold 58-60 degrees. What a difference from last year.
Several of the pools were quite deep and they all held brook trout. As the title of the post says, "ghosts" for they vanish into nowhere.
Another representative of this fine stream.
We received a good rainfall yesterday and I wish I could be on this stream today.
Alan
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that the water temps are nice and cold.
This summer has been cooler, wetter, than the last few years to the benefit of the trout. Pretty brookies!
TROUT1
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Pete what a wonderful year for our trout. I think this fall will be outstanding.
Yes and I intend to join you !!
DeleteThat's awesome Alan - curious - do you remember last years temps at this point? I know it was super low water overall here in New England... was the temp mid 60's or higher last year?
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will I visited that stream last August and what I saw scared me. It was a succession of puddles. In early Sept I did go back and there was an ever so slight flow. I did take a temp and at that time it was 70. They survived.
You are indeed a lucky man.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Seep
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Christopher I am, and I'm very thankful.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThose springs must be close by to keep the water temps that cold.
Looks like you were fishing a stream with some heavy bank cover-----beautiful brookies taken---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill the springs feeding it are from underground sources. And this stream has some difficult areas where the laurel is thick but where I fished that day was not to bad.
Alan, it gets no better than 58 degrees on a small stream in August. I am glad the survivors from last summer are in a better place this year!
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam 58 is ideal, and a decent stream flow to go along with that 58. They are indeed in a better place.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteOne of the major reasons I tune into your blog is that I am constantly amazed (I know I sound like a broken record at this point) at just how small and cool the waters are in beautiful Connecticut and how resilient and adaptable brook trout really are! It is small stream paradise and I think I would get along just fine there in Brook Trout Forrest! Your wonderful entries really keep me interested in this unique ecosystem and all the splendor surrounding it!
Thank you for doing what you do through beautiful photography and encouraging text!
Totally flabbergasted,
Doug
Dougsden
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Doug sometimes I feel like I talk to much about small streams, I feel like I may be a bit boring. But comments like yours and the other followers say I'm doing the right thing.
When your ready to walk brook trout forest let me know.
Pretty tremendous. Little jewels in those cool pools of water. Love it when they're hungry.
ReplyDeleteMichael Agneta
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Mike jewels they are, and being hungry all of the time helps overcome some blunders made while fishing.
Hi Alan, We are fortunate this year to have the conditions that the trout and we are so fond of. Ed R. Hewitt spoke of finding a trout, one hot/dry summer that had buried itself under the gravel, in the stream bed, where an aquifer was seeping cold water up into the stream. How this seepage became oxygenated before reaching the surface I don't understand. Nevertheless, seems all living things were patterned for survival.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John, Mr. Hewitt knew much about brook trout, and what they required. He did a great deal to bring them into focus at a time when the word was "brown"
That story of a brook trout's survival instincts says it all.
Great post! When you say you fish mostly with a downstream presentation, is this both for dry flys and wets? Do you swing the wet through the current or twitch it through the pool? I'm new to small streams and just trying to figure things out. So I really appreciate the insight.
ReplyDeleteFred NJ
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Fred I fish all types of flies in a downstream style.
I will swing them, twitch them, skate them over the surface, and any way that makes the come alive.
Ask your questions, we have a great deal of small stream guys here at SSR's.