It was another Friday and a outing was planned by Mike and myself to fish the Farmington river. The days prior were rain filled ones and Friday looked to be the best day of the week. Arriving at the river I looked to see some very fast and somewhat high waters flowing. This type of water flow may be fine to fish for some but it was not to my liking. Talking it over with Mike about a couple of options we had, which were more than likely better then the Farmington, we chose to take option number one.
"Bill's Brook"..the lovely stream that comes off a mountain and flows through a forest of mixed hardwoods and hemlocks. A stream that is gentile in places and tough in others. As it would turn out Bill's Brook would be the right choice this day.
The brook was up from previous rains, and this would be a great thing. Being prepared for fishing the Farmington we had some big water rods. Mike had a eight and a half foot rod, and I a seven footer, not ideal small stream rods but we made them work.
Mike's first fish of the day. A stunning brook trout that took a "Bomber"
These flowers were in bloom all along the stream. They rivaled the brookies in their colors.
Fishing this fast run I managed to poke a couple but they were unable to take the fly.
My first wild jewel of the day. Incredible beauty...is that a "Bomber" in it's mouth?
We continued to fish the stream for a couple of hours, impressed with the numbers and tenacity of the wild trout.
Mike and I walked away from Bill's Brook with a smile on our faces. We were blessed with a fine day, enjoying the spirits of the stream.
Pretty stream. I wish I had enough knee left to hike in for wild fish. It seems like you have so much water there isn't any pressure. Color me green with envy.
ReplyDeletebill piatek
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Bill I know how you feel about knees. My right one screams for some time after those rock dodging outings.
In CT the trout fishers tend to gravitate to a tailwater like the Farmington, thus leaving us to the little waters. Salt water fishing is also big.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful little stream 'Bill's Brook' looks, however those Brookies look even better!
We had some very heavy rain over here in the UK at the weekend with some areas having more rain in a few hours than they had seen in the whole of the previous two months! I was hoping to get some fishing in but with heavy rain, high winds and significant thunder storms the rods stayed packed up at home.
I may get a trip out during the week to the Leven if it clears down, if not the next fishing will be in Scotland in a couple of weeks on the Whiteadder and Dye Waters and perhaps even the Tweed. The Dye Water has lots of little pockets and riffles (similar to Bill's Brook) where I may have to break out an Ausable Bomber........
Alistair
Anonymous
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Alistair, it's good news to hear of the rains that are so badly needed. Sometimes the cup runs over but better that then the alternative.
The rivers you'll be fishing are primarily trout waters. If that's so then please fish the bomber....
Another nice day fishing for Brookies. Those flowers would look nice in our back yard, but I'm afraid with the California heat, they'd be toasted the first day.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark those "cardinal" flowers prefer wet areas. I've tried the transplant thing before with overwhelming failure.
Another day in paradise there Alan. Some beautiful runs and riffles. I enjoyed that post a great deal. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteThe Two Terriers
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John paradise with no room to improve. Some surprisingly deep water in that stream.
Is there no end to your jewel collection? ;=)
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill as of right now "no" and I hope there never is.
Beautiful pics, Alan; you can almost see your reflection in that big brookie. I'm envious of your water conditions!
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike the brookies came from the same stream and just look at the variations, true wonders. We got the rain when it was needed.
Good call, Alan, to fish Bill's Brook. That stream is flowing in fine fashion, especially for this time of year! I love this rain we've been blessed with recently. Sizable and colorful brookies that live in that blue line.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam the rain sure filled up the streams. Wes. weather is calling for some more substantial rain. Looks like August is going to start out very conducive to the brook trout.
Sam there was a nice mix of real small and large fish in there, which is a good sign.
It looks like this week's weather pattern is shaping up much like last week with regard to humidity and rain. Rain this time of year is always welcome. My wife and I visited an ice cream place in the country this past weekend. The property has a brook flowing through it, and the water looked great. I told Bev I wished I had brought my fly rod.
DeleteSam, your right on the long term weather, I know if your on vacation you probably don't like it but....
DeleteYou must get a small rod and keep in the car for "emergencies"....
Great photos. I believe the red flowers are Cardinal Flowers.
ReplyDeleteBeaverdam
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Yes you are right on the flower ID...beautiful they are.
Wow, so much pocket water. Just looks so fishy! Glad you had a good afternoon, you definitely made the right choice.
ReplyDeleteMichael Agneta
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Mike in those pockets there are surprises at times.
It was a fantastic few hours.
Looks like you two made the best of the conditions! All this rain must be keeping the smaller streams in good shape!
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark it was a great day. Some areas of the state really got dumped on and it was welcomed.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe dry fly action on all the streams you fish is the awesome; the closest I can get to that sort of fishing is the Great Smokey Mountains about 6 hours away from my house. A trip is on my bucket list for next year. Beautiful images of another scenic stream and colorful brook trout---thanks for shairng
Bill Trussell
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Bill they were rising freely to all sorts of dries. The soft-hackles also brought a few to hand as did a Gray Ghost streamer that Mike worked through a deep pool.
Bill you must get to the Smokies and fish a mountain freestone stream...nothing like it.
one word..Brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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Said very well mate.
Back Again, looking at some of the photographs the stream must have been very high in the previous twelve hours. Some of the grasses growing on the rocks have been bent by the current. falling water and rising fish. Wonderful. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteThe Two Terriers
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John you are quite observant. There was signs of very high waters. And I'm glad I was not on the stream when that took place.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThis has to be one of the all time most beautiful threads you have ever published! Such natural beauty that you have captured with your camera including the living gems we all know as the Brookie!
Thank you for taking us along on this journey of joy!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug that area is one of my favorites. We caught it just right as far as water conditions. We have been fortunate that although hot here we have had help in the form of rain. The next few days are going to be wet before the next heat wave takes hold.