Inspiration and my PB Farmington Brook Trout

BA Caddis

Fishing for as many years as I have inspiration comes in many ways. One such inspiration came in the form of a fly. I had been tinkering with a caddis pattern since last May, tying it in different sizes, colors, and materials. I first fished this caddis in a stream under a bridge and proceeded to take a nice brook trout. Since that first time I have fished it many times and it has produced quite a few fish including several nice wild browns.

Monday armed with several BA Caddis in large sizes, 10, 12, tied on streamer hooks I headed to the Farmington river. We had some heavy rains a few days prior but the river had dropped to a fishable level, with the exception of the many newly formed wood piles. The section of river selected is one I have not fished in maybe 10 years, I don't know why but I just haven't. An email conversation with Pete about it sort of inspired me to try this section again. Entering the water I found the waters much to swift to wade comfortably. So walking down stream I found a good looking run I could fish. With the mid afternoon sun shinning bright on the water I realized my best chances of connecting was the deep swift pockets where a trout would hold. The caddis was big enough to bring the trout to the surface.

It was this section, where the second boulder protrudes that a cast of the BA Caddis drifted. As the fly sort of stopped in front of the boulder it was pulled under. I could feel the weight of the fish as it headed for the current. I turned it back to calmer water and could feel its head shakes. Soon I felt confident I would land this fish thats when it made a run for the submerged log. Hoping for the best I put pressure on the trout and eventually won the battle.

As I laid my hand in the water I realized what a beautiful wild brook trout I had fooled. The fish had a spectacular tail, and markings that were incredible. This was by far my personal best wild brook trout taken from the Farmington river. A true inspiration.

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One of those rare August days.

Saturday morning I fished a small stream that I have let be for a spell. We got there about 10, we thought we would allow the residents of the brook to sleep in. The weather was so beautiful for this mid August day, a slight crispness even in the bright sunshine. Walking through the woods I could see the subtle changes taking place. The early signs of the season about to come.

The stream was clear, even with the heavy rains of the day before. The brookies were active, taking dry flies of various types. There is no hatch matching going on here, if it looks edible it's taken.

One from "Mossy Pool"

Some changes that are taking place here. The leaves are not that deep vibrant green of late spring, instead they are a light pale green. The oaks have started to drop their fruits and others will soon follow.

This one also came from "Mossy Pool". The pool is difficult to fish at times and it sure was today. But after enough tries your fly will drift just right and your reward will be at hand.

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Flies of Southern Appalachia and Another

The brook trouts natural range in the eastern U.S. is from Maine to Georgia. They are doing well in the south because of very hard work by many concerned people. They live in the mountain streams which run cold and clear.

There are many anglers who seek these trout in the Appalachians and in doing so have created some very unique patters. Here are two of them from Roger Lowe's book. I have fished both these patterns, one a wet fly the other a dry and have done well with them at times.

The Yellow Palmer. It's a simple pattern that is easy to tie and requires few materials.

I have done very well with this pattern in late summer and early fall.

Yellow Palmer

The Yellow Palmer...simplicity, and like the brook trout beautiful.

Yellowhammer

This is a wet fly pattern of the south....The Yellowhammer. This fly has worked well for me in the spring.

BA Caddis

This is a pattern I created. It's called the B.A. Caddis. I have been fishing for a few weeks and it has been taking trout. I've fished it in a small stream as well as the Farmington river.

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Just a walk.......

I walked this stream yesterday. I was armed with a camera and a bottle of water. The two weight was at home, and the "bombers" left drying on a table in the garage. This was a day to just walk and view. July was a hot and humid month and that usually spells problems for small streams. This one was in wonderful condition. Its flows were very adequate and there was lots of cover. I did not bring a thermometer to take the water temp, but my arm told me it was fine. As I walked along I noticed the woods were very quiet, and the sounds of the water moving over the stones seemed louder. There were several stops at the runs and pools where I observed shadows darting to safety. This was a wonderful few hours just walking and observing life along a small stream.

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