Wednesday, January 15, 2020

"Brooklets"

Those little waters that flow into my little streams often hold a brookie or two. I love to walk along these brooklets and see what's going on. Winter is a good time to do this exploring because of the better than average flows. To walk along and actually see a brookie is great but to get one to take a fly is really special. On this outing I had the chance to walk along two of the brooklets and I was rewarded. Not only did I see several brookies I also managed to catch a couple. Most of the fish were hanging in the plunge pools or very close to them. With no tree canopy your presence was known quickly. I like to mark in my mind the spot where I spooked a fish and return there on the way down, using a softer approach. Most times this works.



Real dark...they blend in with the rocks and boulders along the creek.


This pool has got to hold a couple of fish. It looks tough to fish but it actually wasn't.


This plumpie was holding along the bank.










25 comments:

  1. More jewels from a beautiful little stream. You've been lucky with the weather!

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    1. billp
      Thanks
      Bill the weather has been gracious. The next week is when the real winter returns.

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  2. It always amazes me where we find Trout. The first picture reminds me of the brook I cut my teeth on as a child; little brookies everywhere. I love the reel!

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    1. mike
      Mike they take advantage of what nature provides them. I think we all have memories of those little waters.

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  3. Replies
    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will I saw springs like these when I visited SVT...got to get back there one day.

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  4. Back in the mid-70's I was fishing with a friend on Silver Fork. He went and sat in a spot and fished. I walked the creek. "How many did you catch?" I asked. One. I had caught 5. I convinced him to catch fish in a creek, you have to fish every nook and cranny just like you do.

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    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark that's a good story, and I'll bet it happens more then is told. Trout can hold in some very scant water. That link you sent me for the facebook post won't work.

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  5. Fishing those little brooklets is so cool. I'm with Mike, I love that veteran reel!
    JJ

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    1. Beaverdam
      Thanks
      Joe we have to fish them because? OW Smith was fond of the word "brooklets". The vet did a fine job.

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  6. Alan
    Another beautiful stream; just wondering how old is the reel and fly rod you was using? Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill the fly rod is pretty new it's a fiberglass rod Made in 2017. The reel I don't have any info on other then a Made in USA stamped on it.

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  7. Hi alan, I have a collection of skeleton reels. is that a Union Hardware, made in Torrington, CT?

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    1. John Dornik
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      John the reel was made in the US but it has no other markings. Made in the early 50's I would guess. It is about as simple as there can be. I love it.

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  8. Hi Alan,

    It amazes me as well the waters that fish can take hold and make a living in.

    Up on the North Yorkshire Moors there are innumerable tiny brooks and stream (sometimes called, 'Stells', 'Intakes' and 'Slacks') some of which contain tiny wild brownies no more than 3 or 4" eaking out an existence in some quite harsh conditions (freezing winters, warm dry summers and very low pH waters.

    Thanks

    Alistair

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    1. Alistair
      Thanks
      Alistair they are amazing creatures. Your 3" browns would be considered a trophy in those small waters. I would say that summers are very tough on these trout. A small dry fly dropped into the water and "bam"..fish on.

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  9. Alan - Great pictures and amazing wild brook trout. Thanks for keeping our spirits up!

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    1. NJpatbee
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      Pat we all need a lift once in awhile.

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  10. Wow, look how dark that first brook trout is, definitely blending in to his zone. Just beautiful with those bright red spots. I am familiar with a brooklet same as pictured and will never forget the image of brook trout going up it in October a few years ago, much like small salmon overcoming obstacles, mostly leaf dams.

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    1. Sam
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      Sam they are determined to get the job done. They are amazing fish. Rowan has some photos of small brookies that were trying to jump some pretty high falls. Going to get cold next week.

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  11. Alan,
    I'm glad you posted this piece! This is just the very small waters that you and I have spoke about and the ones that I find so fascinating! You often refer to brookies as survivors in such hostile environments (particularly in dry periods). How do they do it? They are indeed unique creatures and very worthy of our awe and admiration! You are blessed to be where they are!
    Dougsden

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    1. Dougsden
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      Doug when ever I find little brooklets I always check them out, some have fish and some don't. As to how they survive such inhospitable environs is beyond me, but they have been doing it for thousands of years. I hope they continue to keep up the tradition.

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  12. Hi Alan, obviously you know these little streams a lot and you know how to handle them to catch these beautiful scary trouts ...

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    1. Armando Milosevic
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      Armando I do know these little streams well. Most everywhere there are streams like this and you know what they say "a trout is a trout".....

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