Monday, February 25, 2019

Always Special And Unusual

As February comes to a close, I have to focus on fishing several streams before they close. All streams in the state of Connecticut with exception of Class 1 wild trout streams close on the last day of February until opening day which is the second Saturday of April. I'm sure there is a reason and I'm sure it was well thought out. That reason is for another time.

Well Saturday I chose a stream that will close the end of February to fish. I had not been here since early fall. Since my last visit we have had several heavy rain events and this little beauty of a stream took a hit. I witnessed several of its runs and pools that were scoured by the heavy flows. In some of the areas the stream took on an arctic glacial effect. While many of the larger pools remained the same some of the smaller ones were totally gone, reshaped by enormous fallen trees and logs. All of the changes I believe did not hurt the wild brook trout population. What I fear is that the spawning areas may have been washed away which will have an effect on the future populations. That is something I will keep an eye on in the next several months.


The stream looked as beautiful as ever. Rumbling and tumbling along to it's final destination. It's hemlock and laurel lined banks remain a bright spot of green in a brown forest. I was not alone in the forest. I was watched and scolded by a Kingfisher who flew from branch to branch. I fished my "usual" compliment of flies, wets, dries, and streamers and not a single strike. I was then required to select a couple of my "unusual" flies in order to persuade the brookies to strike...the "unusuals" were a couple of bead-head generic nymphs.


In the deeper pools I found willing brook trout like this late winter jewel. I have always said that this stream has the prettiest brookies in the state.


Before nature chose to restructure this pool it was always a place I could count on to find some brookies. They are probably some fish there but trying to present a fly is not something I wished to do at this time.


A very friendly pool. A slow drifted nymph did the job.


It was like the first brook trout I caught. It seems like that's always the case.


A couple of my "unusuals" generic stuff that brookies will not pass on especially in a small stream.










16 comments:

  1. After our heavy rains last fall we had had a lot of stream changes too. It will make for an interesting Spring. On top of that we just got another 12" of snow.

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    1. David-Mary Noll
      Thanks
      David some streams fared better than others. Time will tell. The 12" of snow is hard for sure, even if your used to it. Think spring buddy.

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  2. Awesome looking spot Alan. Those brookies have that pale peach tinge that makes one think of VA or NC or something. Different than the often dark, tanic living NE brookies I'm more used to. Gorgeous fish.

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will the brookies are in their winter garb, and your spot on about that "pale peach color"..Rowan and I agree with your VA. looking brook trout. That stream is so much like the streams found in Shenandoah National Park.
      Check out his blog, he fished that same stream on Friday.

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  3. Once you catch a Brookie, you're "hooked" for life. My favorite, but too bad California considers them invasive. There is still some around, but not like it used to be.

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    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Yes most western states have it in for the "invasive" brookie. But those same states love the "invasive" brown

      And we think politics are crazy...

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  4. Living jewels in a gemstone stream.

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  5. Lovely looking stream again and the brookies are stunning as always Alan.

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  6. Alan
    That really is a great looking stream and valley with the Brookies to match the scenery. It looks a lot like the little brooks and streams that run off the North Yorkshire moors near me.
    Thanks
    Alistair

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    1. Alistair Corbishley
      Thanks
      Alistair those North Yorkshire streams must be beautiful.
      Are there wild brown trout in them?

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  7. Funny how some days the fish won't go for certain flies, yet will eagerly chase others. You'd think fish from water that small would go after anything tempting that was put in front of them. Beautiful photos once again Alan.

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    1. Michael Agneta
      Thanks
      Mike you can expect brown trout to be more selective, but these brookies also got in that game to. Luckily they don't respond that way often.

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  8. Alan
    So impressed with those beadhead nymphs, can't wait to try those you sent me. I'm looking forward to hearing the reasoning the streams are close each year. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill I don't often fish nymphs but there are times when they are the only game in town. I'm sure when you fish the Sipsey you'll find willing trout.

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