Friday, March 2, 2018

Some Catch-Up...#1

March is living up to the phrase "in like a lion"...here in Connecticut we are experiencing a "nor'easter"...the winds are swirling and the rain is falling sideways. We will pull through as we have before and the sun will shine and hopefully the trout will rise in their swollen streams.

Connecticut's trout streams have closed. February 28th was the last day to fish many of them. The streams that remain open are Class 1 WTMA's and certain other rivers such as the Farmington and Salmon, but have special regulations that apply...check your anglers guide. So for the last ten days I have fished a number of streams some of which I have not fished in a year. The weather has been awesome with warm temps. The streams have been graced with ample flows and the wild trout have been active. The photo above was taken on the 20th of February, looks like the end of March. It was beautiful that day.


The brookies that inhabit that stream are vivid, their spots are so pronounced. They also have no objection with eating from the surface.


One of the things I like to do when fishing is turning over rocks within the stream. Most times it gives me an idea what is available for the trout to eat. This will not alway's change what I'm fishing with but it is a guide if things don't work with what I'm using. This stone had the usual nymphs, typical black or brown in color. Also there a various crawling little green worms, green caddis perhaps. But as you can see they are quite small, so when a "bomber" is presented the thought is "wow that's a big meal"


She is a beautiful lady
On this particular outing both a black soft-hackle an woodchuck caddis worked.


This simple spider covers much of what the fish feed on. This fly is a 14, but a 16 or 18 would probably have been better....black thread, black thorax, and a turn or two of black hen hackle....How about a black thread body and some black ice dub?


This lovely little freestone stream has a name but I'll just refer to it a stream 2/20....









24 comments:

  1. Alan
    Gorgeous looking stream. Colorful brook trout too. Glad you were able to get out and enjoy !

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete the weather of the last 10 days or so has been great. I hope things don't change drastically.

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  2. Some wonderful weather to close out the season. Nice to hear you took full advantage. Love the spots on those brook trout, they are truly beautiful creatures with a strong will to survive!

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    1. Mark Wittman
      Thanks
      Mark that stream has some very pretty brookies. Heavy rain going on outside my window. This may change a few streams.

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  3. The warm weather is nice for getting out onto the stream earlier than we maybe otherwise would, but I can't help but fear for any snowpack we otherwise would've had and what this all means for July and August.

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    1. George S
      Thanks
      George I to worry about the warmer months. Snow pack is almost nothing of what is was last winter. But with ample rainfall and the lack of foliage on the trees I believe the water will be substantial enough to fill the underground reserviors and keep the springs flowing which will enable the small stream up to par. Last year we had ample rainfall until late fall...a good year.

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  4. Always enamored by flies with weird names. The green worm reminds me of the Green Weenie Fly. Just Google it. Looks just like that worm. Who knows, might work.

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    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark not only to flies have weird names, the materials on some of them are way out.
      The "green weenie" is similar but a is a bit thicker. It is an awesome fly when those green inchworms are about.

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  5. Hi Alan,
    Those streams look so good - almost spring like.
    We have had horrendous weather over here this last week with snow & ice causing chaos across the country. Spring and the start of the 2018 season looks so far away at the moment. However your blog and the pictures of clear streams, green foliage and bright brook trout has warmed my soul.
    Alistair

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    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      Alistair we enjoyed some great weather for late February. The weather looks like it was not what you would consider "fishing" weather. Better days are in your future. I'll be waiting for your "spiders" and "browns" report.

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  6. For all the good it does me, our streams are open year around. The only weenie you won't find out there is me! Beautiful brookies for sure.

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    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard we have some streams still open, and the main one for most the Farmington is also open.

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  7. Hi Alan, As you may be aware, a trout stamp is now needed by all in CT, including those 65 yrs and older.

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    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John I am aware of the trout stamp. I don't mind paying the fee, "they say the funds go directly into fisheries"...oh well.
      Lots of rain buddy.

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  8. Stunning brookies! I am glad to see ample insect life under those rocks to keep those beauties fed. What a beautiful place, Alan.

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam I check all the streams I fish for critters that a finned buddies like to eat. Most of the findings are small but from the fish I catch it seems that it's ample. Land based insects help as do crayfish and almost anything that comes drifting along.
      Stay dry.

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  9. Alan
    Another beautiful stream with some colorful brookies as an added bonus. Stay safe while battling through some horrible weather up your way. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill the last days of February were a small stream fly fishers dream. We are safe here, lots of wind and rain for sure.

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  10. Alan, I'm glad to see I'm not the only rock roller. I start every fishing experience looking at rocks. It always amazes me what I find. I'm not always able to figure out what I'm looking at but at least I have a place to start. The black softie with ice dub would be a killer this time of year around here. Thankyou.

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    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad I find the rock turning fun. I can't identify the insects for the most part but it gives me an idea.
      Black, and purple bodied flies have done well.

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  11. Alan, so glad somebody is getting out, not been fishing now for almost a month, weather, domestic duties and almost the end of the Grayling season..I read your posts with warmth that you are out fishing :)

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    1. George
      Thanks
      George I have been fortunate these last few weeks. The weather has been kind, but that is about to change come Wednesday...winter will be back.

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  12. Those fish are bright and shiny just like the new season that's upon us..well almost upon us here in the north land..

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    1. penbayman
      Thanks
      Mike don't let that spring look fool you. It's snowing here and the weather mi-week looks awful.
      Remaining hopeful.

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