Saturday, January 19, 2019

They're willing to play......

Over the last week or so winter has been in effect, and has moderated. Some of the nights have been in the high teens to low twenties. The days however have pushed the high thirties. What I'm saying is that as long as there is no buildup of ice in the guides I'm fishing. My outings have started late usually getting on stream about 10. Fishing at that time can be from stinko to OK..it's after 11-12 that it really heats up for an hour or so and then slows down again. Flies that have been working are streamers, wet flies, and soft-hackles. Dry flies have been stagnant, although I continue to try them each outing.

This day found me on a stream that flows through a large forest of hemlock. A mix of pine and maple also seen as well as the winter fern and laurel.




This pool was a delight to fish. First off I clearly saw two brookies in it which I was certain I would be able to coax one to take the fly. I cast upstream and let the soft-hackle drift. A dark shape swam up to it and ate it. I pulled back to set and before I finish I saw the brookie spit the fly back. A half dozen casts later and not a response. A fly that I have extreme confidence in at this time of year is the "pinkie"...tied it on and sent it into the stream. Six casts later and nothing. Now I saw two fish in there one that took the fly and one that didn't. I changed to a fuller dressed wet fly and on the second cast the fish hit the fly. A hook-up and a brief battle and.....


a wild one was at hand. a quick pic and back into the pool he went.


A series of fast water and some fishy looking pockets. There are generally fish in these pockets and if the fly drifts close to them they will take.


Look at those fine spots. Brook trout never disappoint me.









20 comments:

  1. Out here, 11:00 am and the fish stop biting. How do they know?

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    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark they start to feed because noontime is about what time the waters warm a few degrees. Insects might become more active and the fish turn on to them for an hour or so. I don't know about western trout but our guy all have Rolex's.

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  2. Replies
    1. Michael Capurso
      Thanks
      Mike winter can paint a lovely scene, and when you have a couple of brookies to hand it's all the better.

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  3. They go nuts here about noon for the snow flies on the surface. They will hit my indicator but seldom my fly. :-/

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  4. bill piatek
    Thanks
    That's funny. I also heard that they whack those tiny tippet rings. Why bother to fish flies?

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  5. You always post the best pictures, Alan. My brook trout forest doesn't look anything like yours; so many beautiful Hemlocks you have, I miss them.

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    1. mike
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      Mike there are a lot of areas on the east coast that were almost whipped out of hemlocks. Parts of PA for one. I could not see brook trout forest without them. White birch and beech are important also.

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  6. That third photo. Looks both beautiful and cold. It's funny how the fish seem to have their periods of activity, glad you were there at the right time.

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    1. Michael Agneta
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      Mike it's funny that only a couple of degrees makes such a difference. What's weird is it's your feeling the temp difference and that translates to how the fish feel...were all connected I guess.

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  7. Alan
    I look at those beautiful images with the ice and can feel the cold here; the trout taken was worth the outing. Great post thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill I know it's cold but with no wind it is not that hard to deal with for a short while. Like I've said as long as the ice does not form on the guides it's OK to fish.

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  8. Another delightful post and, of course, photographs. The shot of what looks like Hazel blossom with the frozen drop water is particularly lovely. Regards, John

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    1. Anonymous
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      John that ice droplet was sparkling like a large diamond in the bleak woods. I love taking photos of such things.

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  9. Alan ~ You find beauty where others see only "The White Death". You fish in this weather, while down here they cancel school based on even a forecast of snow. Thanks for maintaining some sanity in our world.

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    1. William Shuck
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      Bill the standard for bad weather has changed. As a kid going to school in the snow was what every kid did. Today I think the resulting liability is reason for the quick cancellation. Winter can paint some awesome scenes.

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  10. Alan as always an enjoyable read and lovely pictures.

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  11. Beautiful pictures and story, Alan. Props to you for keeping on fishing for those beautiful brookies. It makes my day whenever I see a new post on SSR.

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam fishing is on hold for a spell. Man did that freeze take hold quickly.
      Good stew weather.

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