More "Stuff"

Along about six years ago I walked into the LL Bean Outlet store in Freeport looking for a bargain. The store has many products that are placed there for quick sale. I saw this green rain jacket an item that was much needed. I picked it up and checked it out. The fit was good and it seemed to be in good shape. I then looked at the price tag. I was surprised only 29.00, not bad for a non rubber or vinyl rain jacket. So I bought it. Well that jacket is still with me today. I wear it in the rain and snow, I use it in winter as the outer layer, it has been a super wind breaker, and has been like steel when I crash through those nasty thorns. What's in a name? Lots.

The other day while fishing Kirk and I observed trout taking their food just below the surface. Various wet flies and soft hackles seemed to work at times. I tied this wet fly and I have a feeling it may be what they might want.

"Gray Ghosts" tied by various fly tyers. The background is the booklet from the "Carrie Stevens Day" in August 1970.

"Windswept"

"Windswept" in a different light.

Firsts

This is a first. My usual cup of coffee is "Nantucket" blend by Green Mountain, but we had a coupon and the item was on sale so a box of "Eight o Clock" Colombian Blend was purchased. After trying several cups I found it to be quite good. The real test came this morning. I needed to see if it could get the job done, the job of bringing some life to this incoherent being. Well this is my second cup and it has worked fine. Perhaps I can continue this post now.

The William Joseph AMP pack. This is an item I picked up on sale. Its small size and light weight make it perfect for those nasty hikes into those thin blue lines. Its a chest pack, but I carry it as a sling pack. It has ample storage for all the necessities. I've only used this pack twice in actual combat but will test it much more often as the season progresses.

Anyone who follows this blog knows my fondness for the Ausable Bomber. I'll fish this fly at any time, place, weather condition, or season of the year. And while fishing this fly since January first of this year I have not brought a fish to hand yet. The fly did however bring several fish to the surface, something it does well. Yesterday it achieved success. My first fish to hand on the Bomber.

A handsome wild brown, on the "Bomber"

This is a first. I took some red and green peppers and onions, I seasoned them well and fried them 'til tender. I then took some venison, sliced it very thin then cut it into strips, seasoned and fried quickly. Placed the mixture into a soft taco and enjoyed.

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The Royal Wulff

The Royal Wulff, an attractor hairwing dry fly created by Lee Wulff. I'm not sure if the pattern was originally created for Atlantic salmon or trout. I've not used it for salmon but I have for trout, and it works. Lee tied them by hand without the aid of a vise, and they say he tied one in size 32. The one in the photo is one I tied, it's a size 12.

Well Sunday I teamed up with Kirk, "Trout Quest Redux" for a few hours of angling on a small stream. Check out Kirk's report on the day at his blog. I was using the Wullf and was going to see the attractor do its thing.

I came upon this likely looking trout hideout and went out work. Several drifts after I detected a rise. I continued my quest to get a fish on the Wulff. A few more drifts and a stream busting rise and take. He was on briefly, but soon got free. I continued to work the little run, putting on a Bomber, which also brought fish to the surface. I tied on a Klinkhammer type emerger and off it went. That did the trick.

A wild brook trout on the dry.

We continued to fish. Kirk had taken several nice browns while all I managed was rises to the Wulff with no hookups.

Cased caddis. The pool above was covered with these guys. This place is going to boil when they start hatching.

They say trout love these so much that they eat them sticks and all. Peanuts in the shell.

I went back to that stream yesterday. Armed with the Royal Wulff, and determined to make it work. I sent the fly floating along the bank towards the tree. The fish struck, and the 2wt did its job. I had the true pleasure of holding a wild brown. I took a quick photo and off he went.

A "Royal" reward.

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Browns, Brookies, and Winters Retreat

Fishing a small stream Thursday proved to be another outing of wonderful surprises. I had decided to fish a section that I haven't been to for a spell. The day was sunny and bright. There was a breeze but with air temps in the fifties it felt pretty good. The first pool I fished has always been good. The roots and undercuts are prime ambush sites for trout. I had on a wet fly and on the first drift the fly caught a snag. As I pulled, the twig the fly was hooked on came free. That's when the trout that was in the area darted upstream. I continued to fish the pool with no takers.

I moved to another run that has given up a fish or two at times. After several casts the fly was struck as it touched the brush pile. The brown was on briefly but soon departed. Moving down to where the stream bends, I hooked up again. The brown gave a fight that was memorable, the little 5ft 2wt was tested for sure.

A handsome wild brown was at hand. As I set him back into the water, he swam off with real vigor. Looking at the size of his head, I believe that if he makes it 'til fall he's going to be quite a catch.

The next run has produced at times. I remember catching a nice brookie here. That was about 2 years ago. Well lightning struck again, after an absence of 2 years. Not only did I take a beautiful brookie here, just down stream I took another.

I'm very happy to see the brook trout making a comeback in this area of the stream.

Just to let you know, winter is alive, but hopefully on its last leg.

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