Hemlocks And Riffles

The hemlock and the riffle are probably my to favorite places to fish when I'm on a small stream. I will never pass up the chance to toss a fly in either location if possible. Over many years and  many different streams I've fished it's these places that seem to produce for me. On this outing which was to find the stream on the low side I was able to find a few deep pools that held some nice trout. As most times they were able to see me and scattered like frightened mice. So the alternative to getting frustrated I chose to fish the riffles and hemlocks to help conceal my presence.

This section of water was flowing well, and was quite deep. Along with that there were leaf jams and other wood debris that seem to say "fishy". I dropped the fly on the first slick spot and "boom" a brook trout rose and took the caddis.

This pretty little guy was photographed and thanked....he was back at it in a few seconds.

I continued to fish this mine-section and was able to bring another brookie to the surface. Further results here were a fly in the debris and a loos of that fly.

This fast little run had an interesting undercut right at the tree. Alan you know there has to be a fish there. One cast, two casts, three casts and a forth cast that brought the fish up.

A striking lady...she was in perfect condition with the most beautiful colored spots. The red dots almost look like a fine point marker placed them there.

It was a good day fishing under the hemlocks and in the riffles....by the way the elk-hair caddis is a perfect fly for such places.

Impressions and Impressionistic

Somewhere along the way I read an article about a certain tree and brook trout. The article stated that where you find the hemlock tree you'll find wild brook trout. That article made an impression on me and that still holds firmly today.

In the top photo is a stream I fished the other day, as you see there is an abundance of hemlocks some of which are quite impressive in size. Well the stream was also impressive in the amount of brook trout present.

Here you see a spool of thread, a hook, and feathers, not very impressive. When put together they become something impressionistic.

The fly created by the scant few materials does not represent any one type of insect in the stream, but does represent many.

Its size, overall color, and movement by the hackles tell the trout I'm food.

On this day the brook trout found the impressionistic fly to be impressive, and it left an impression on me.

I love these fish.....

A few of my favorite things...

A few of my favorite things.....rock walls, hemlocks, riffles, and brook trout. I found all of these on a recent outing to a small stream that was full of bright clean cold water. This day was to be such that I could do no wrong. The flies were hitting the water and not the trees, and the brookies were hungry and willing to tear up a few of my offerings. A New England rock wall it is broken down in places but still maintains that rustic beauty that I love.

Riffles, pools and runs....hemlocks standing like sentries.

A Hares Ear soft hackle drifting through the current was to much for this awesome wild jewel to pass on.

Tumbling and crashing. I have fished this section on every trip to this stream. The only thing yielded has been branches floating down in the current. This day it gave up five of its residents.

A high floating stimulator was the ticket. Better days on the stream...I think not.

Hemlock And Laurel

I started to write this about an hour ago as I was finishing a cup of Nantucket. But it was put on hold as I listened to the free concert out my window. The birds are exceptionally vocal, or should I say their volume is exceptionally loud. Well it's a sweet sound and it put me in a nice frame of mind. Combined with another cup of "joe" I might be able to type a decent report.

Hemlocks and laurel seem to grow very well together along the small streams I fish. Together they perform a valuable service to the brook trout that call these streams home. The hemlock grow big and provide necessary shade to keep the waters cool. Their root structure holds the soil from washing into the stream. When branches fall from them or when they fall they still provide cover for the brookie as well as food in the form of ants, and beetles which take up home in the decaying tree. The mountain laurel provides cover in the form of natural thick wall which at times you can't penetrate. Together they do a valuable service to wild trout and their streams.

A typical stream. Hemlock and laurel doing their thing.

A wild brook trout taken on a "Bomber" from the stream above.

Beautiful colors.

The hemlock and the laurel doing their part to keep these jewels with us.

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