"Tomah Joe"

Tomah Joe is one of those classic wet flies that are no longer found in fly shops. It seems that it does not "fit" what's happening, or perhaps it may be it's a bit tricky to tie. It's a fly that was created by Tomah Joe a fishing guide in Washington county Maine. Tomah-Joseph was a member of the Passamaquaddy tribe and was later their representative in the state legislature. The fly was created about the late 1870's and used extensively in Grand Lake Stream for landlocked salmon. Like many flies Tomah Joe has gone through many variations and I myself tie it using three different wing feathers. The variations don't seem to make the fly better it's just that I have those feathers available and I used them. All three have been successful with brook trout and rainbows. I believe Tomah Joe would make a great streamer fly for sea-run brook trout as well as other sea-run species. Below are the three Tomah Joe flies. The various feathers used are Chuckar, Lemon Wood duck, and Black and White barred wood duck.

Hook-Mustad 3906 #8...Tail, Yellow Hackle...Butt, Peacock Herl...Body, Silver Mylar Tinsel...Throat, Yellow followed by Red Hackle...Wing, Either Chuckar, Lemon Wood Duck or Barred Wood Duck.

Farmington River Brookies

Over the past weeks I have spent some time roaming the Farmington river. A very popular place these days but one can find solitude if if one seeks it out. Along with solitude comes the chance to find wild brook trout. I think this is over looked in this river known for it's big brown trout and rainbows. I for one find the brookies much more appealing. My time on the river has also yielded some fine browns and rainbows which I will feature in a later post, but for now I'll highlight the brookies.

The fish were found in various water types, from fast waters to calm pools and everything in between. I fished a variety of flies and most were successful. Side note here, I tied a couple of classic wet flies and have given them water time and I'm glad to say they to work. In this report you'll see that the dry fly really shined. Various patterns from thorax duns to parachutes and haystacks. The fly size were 14 to 18.

Beautiful healthy wild char...

Where should I drift my fly?

Is there a camera made that can truly capture the beauty and colors of a brook trout? This jewel had the most beautiful olive colored back and prefect vermiculations.

Fishing those seams...one never knows what can be found there. I found someone who let me know just how productive these areas are.

This master of the riffles took my little dry fly and gave me an education in knowing how to avoid capture. As you can see his plan did not work. An incredible brook trout.

I'll be looking for you come this fall...if you still like the dry I'll be ready, but with that mouth maybe a big Mickey Finn might be in order.

"Inspire"

"Inspire"...'fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something'...Northern Waters is a book that does and has inspired me for many years. The author Jan Zita Grover has penned a jewel here. I first read this book in 2000 and have picked it up many times over the years. Jan left San Francisco for northern Minnesota and a life that was to be simple and full. Her tales of fishing for brook trout, pike and bass are so clear it almost puts you there with fly rod in hand. One of my favorite chapters is on her diving into fly tying, "getting hooked" is informative as well as funny. Her selection of materials will bring a smile to your face.

On the cover of the book is a streamer that Jan tied. A simple fly that has the look of a "brookie fly"...an inspiration for me to try to recreate the streamer, which is the fly below it. I highly recommend this book. I'm certain it will inspire you as it did me.

As we move into August

Small stream pocket water

We just turned the calendar to the month of August. We have now entered the last full month of summer, and I might add it's been a good summer. In the rain gauge most areas have had adequate rain and the water temps in the streams I've fished have not exceeded 65 degrees with most being near 60. Going into August I've noticed the little changes taking place in our woodlands. The late summer flower blooms, the oaks dropping lots of acorns and the arrival of "Joe Pye". What is strange is that I have not seen any whitetail fawns, lots of does and velvet antlered bucks but no spotted fawns. Well if we can have July's weather continue in August then we will be doing just fine.

I did fish on the first of August and found willing brookies in the tails of riffles.

A reason to love summer, native zucchini. I like it breaded and fried. Folks please don't use those ready seasoned bread crumbs. Buy plain and season them yourself.