Decals, Flies and

This is a decal that was given to me by Kirk. It's quite nice, and a bit different.
It's a brook trout but it's made of various trout flies, there's even a "Bomber" in there.

These are some beautiful trout flies. I don't remember where I got them, it was either a tag sale or on ebay. They are made in England and are very delicate. The flies are named in the box but I don't know if they had been moved around before.
Perhaps Rod over at "Dry Fly Expert" might have some knowledge of these flies.

This is one of the flies from the box.

This is a streamer from Harry Murray, "Mr. Rapidan Streamer". It's a simple design but has all the qualities of a fish catcher.

Yesterday was Valentines Day. Jeanette and I stayed home exchanged cards and enjoyed a few favorites.

Well my second cup of Nantucket kicked in and I'm awake now. In a few hours the brook trout in a small stream will be awake and I'm going to pay them a visit.

All of you have a fine day, and thanks for the visit.

Some Thoughts

January 18th, I haven't been fishing for a few days, but the thoughts of small streams and wild trout are always present. I try to do those things that are associated with what I love to do.
While tying flies, thoughts are "what will be the first to take this offering,brown or brookie".
Reading books, or in most cases rereading books that I love. Those books that have words that had such an impact on me.

And food. Most of the time it's simple food, simple like the fishing I do. The recipes for the food are as the recipes for most of the flies I tie and use. I see no use in complicating my food dishes, as I see no use in complicating my methods of seeking wild trout. There is beauty in simplicity.

The simple Wooly Bugger. It has probably taken more trout than any other fly, it's simple materials and ease of tying make it a first fly to tie. Russel Blessing knew what he was doing.

Hair wing dry flies, mostly Wulff types. Hairy, buggy and first on the list of small stream wild trout. They're simple and can be tied by anyone.

This is a book I would love to see you read. It's so much more than fishing.


And speaking of simplicity. Roasted red potatoes and carrots. It will comfort you like a stream on a June evening.

First Snow in Brook Trout Forest

Thursday, October 27th the day started off with rain, and it became heavy at times. As the day went on it became colder and the rain turned to snow. It looked very pretty as it coated the trees and grass. This was only a dusting but it was the first snows in brook trout forest.

Friday found me walking into the woods with the sound of crunching snow underfoot.
The stream looked like sparkling diamonds in the sunlight as it rushed over the rocks
and logs along its banks.
I had already decided that I was going to fish dry flies, why not it was perfect timing, first snow there has to be a hatch coming. No but I enjoy fishing dries and brook trout are usually willing to eat most anything that could be a meal.
As the flies drifted through the streams little seams and pools there were rises and a few chases, and on few of them I was rewarded with a trout to hand.

It was a fine day.

As I stood along this stream I observed at the tail of this pool two brook trout in the process of renewing life. I stayed for a spell and watched. Then moved on without them knowing.

The flies that were selected for this outing.

Wild brook trout. I can never describe my feelings as I admire them. There seems to be a new one though every time I do.