Monday, August 7, 2017

"Headwaters"

Headwaters can mean one or many tributaries converging into one large river. In the case of small streams the headwaters takes on a different meaning. Most of these streams start as a spring or perhaps a small lake or pond and in some cases a little of all. The stream I'm talking of here begins as a swampy area with several underground springs pumping water to the surface. The waters start there unobstructed run down the hills, picking up more springs as well as a few small creeks and seeps each giving more volume to the stream. This water is cold and is a necessity for wild brook trout.

Yesterday I ventured up one of these streams to it's headwaters. It was a beautiful walk and the reward was some nice views as well as a few wild native brook trout.

The rains of late had brought the stream up even as I moved further upstream.


A gorgeous set of natural waterfalls. An obstacle for the brook trout, well maybe.


I noticed many of these along the stream banks. They were a pretty green with a few brownish legs. They did not have wings, but when dropped into the water they ran across the surface with blinding speed. Reaching into the fly box I found a close resemblance and tied it on. That fly served me well this day.


Usually when you trek this far up into the headwaters you'll find smaller brook trout, but these jewels were just perfect.


This is the fly I used. It's a Olive and Partridge. A bit darker and larger than the natural ones I saw but it was close enough.




Judging from it's girth this brookie has found a good food source.


So after four hours of rock hopping and laurel busting I brought my sore body back to the car. I stopped to pick a few wild flowers and a bluejay feather. All was good on this day along the headwaters.












26 comments:

  1. Alan
    What a gorgeous stream and beautiful photos of the brookies and flowers!

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete I must take you there one day.

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  2. That would be great medicine for me!

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    Replies
    1. Pete doing something you love is without a doubt great medicine.

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  3. Absolutely beautiful photos, Alan. Small streams have always fascinated me and I would like to follow one to its source some day, fishing my way up same as you.

    Regards, Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam find yourself one of these little streams and just take a walk, fly rod is a must. You'll be amazed at what you will find.

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  4. Beautiful little water and brook trout, Alan. That last brookie had been grazing on a decent paddock! Not that I'm anti-social but one of the many wonderful aspects of fishing tiny headwaters like the one you did, is not meeting another person all day. Generally, if you do bump into another angler, they are often of a similar mind as yourself. In all the years that I have fished little waters, I've only ever come across one other angler and we had a decent chinwag that day. Larger waters are a different kettle of fish. Lots of people and sadly sometimes a little animosity. People like this have obviously forgotten or never had the right reasons for going fishing.
    Thanks for letting us come along with you.
    Kindest Regards,
    Steve.

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    1. Steve Hynes
      Thanks
      Steve anti-social is far from the reason one seeks the quiet solitude of the small stream. But crowds can be a bit tough to take. Kike minded folks would agree with us, and I know several.
      Your last sentence says it very well.

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  5. Replies
    1. William Shuck
      Thanks
      Bill I appreciate the comment.

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  6. Alan
    Every time one mentions springs it carries me back to my boyhood days; when my brother and I while fishing our pond on hot days would drink its ice cold water.
    Beautiful trout taken on such a versatile fly!! Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill no other water ever tasted so good to you as that boy hood spring.
      A fine day it was.

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  7. Hi Alan, Steve's comments bring to mind the famous "Church pool" on our equally famous Farmington R. one of the finest trout streams in New England. It could not be more opposite to your "headwaters". I have never fished that pool alone or even close to being alone. Nevertheless at times there are incredible numbers of fish rising (looks like raindrops falling). I hit the pool each visit but do not stay long.

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    1. John Dornik
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      John I can't remember the last time I cast a fly in Church Pool. I leave that to the gents who travel long distances to fish the Farmington. It is a pool full of trout, most have been hooked many times.

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  8. Brktrt, I love reading all your posts, the brookies look stunning! We don't have them over here in the UK unfortunately however the wild browns are so diverse in their colourations from stream to stream.
    Keep blogging!
    Regards,
    Colin

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    1. Baslowfisher
      Thanks
      Colin I've seen photos of Britain's brown trout and they are quite handsome. I'm happy you find the blog to your satisfaction. Keep commenting, we love it.

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  9. It's so great to see water like that after the last two years... makes me happy every day.

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    1. RM Lytle
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      Rowan the streams are healthy, if all holds through the year I think we may have a great recovery.

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  10. From beginning to end, this was just beautiful. Beautiful fish, beautiful stream and beautiful fly.

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    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard it's refreshing...the heart and soul appreciate it.

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  11. Alan,
    You live in such a beautiful state! And, you have a wonderful way of bringing to us this beauty thru your camera and your text! A refreshing and unique blog like yours simply cannot be found anywhere! Keep it running my friend!
    Dougsden

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    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug Connecticut has a great deal of wild trout streams for such a small state. Much of these are located on state lands which make access assured.
      Keep the blog simple, and let the folks determine what to take from it.

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  12. This beautiful account of fishing headwaters prompted me to write to the EPA to respectfully ask that the 2015 Clean Water Rule, which protects wetlands and headwaters, not be rescinded. (See TU website for details.)

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    1. Jim R
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      Jim, that was a wonderful gesture. This is where it starts.

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