Rock Walls, Small Streams, Brook Trout, Autumn in Connecticut

A transition fall day was to be one of my better days afield this year. In terms of all that is wonderful with autumn in Connecticut. I started with a ride along a country road that had very large oak trees along its edges. With these large oaks came large acorns, which sounded like boulders when they struck my car as they fell. Lovey stone walls in areas that were built by the CCC back in the 30's. It's nice to see the state still maintaining them.

Connecticut has numerous old stone walls that have been here since, well I don't really know the dates, but for a long time. These are places where one could sit and imagine the happenings around these walls.

I sat here for a spell before walking down to a stream. It was raining softly and thoughts of willing brook trout were on my mind.

Color was breathtaking in some places, and I walked through many fields to catch a bright spot on a cloudy day.

I saw fish moving in this pond. Were they brook trout?

I stopped for a coffee at a small country store. They had a coffee featured as their own blend. I had a cup of "Hadlyme Blend" and it's one of the better coffees I've had. I think coffee tastes best in a paper cup.

The streams I fished this day all gave up one or two of their residents.

This was a prize, a "golden brook trout"...

Lots of color on this fall day in New England.

A Small Stream, October 7, 2014

Well I finally got to fish a small stream today. I have been reluctant to venture out on them because of low water conditions. We were blessed with some rain last week and in some areas the amount was very adequate and brought the stream levels up nicely. The water is cool and some of the fish were showing color rivaling the foliage. Dry flies did not get the job done day, instead a variety of wets drew the interest of the trout.

It was a spectacular fall day the suns reflection off of the leaves was gratifying, and the trout an awesome plus.

For such a dry hot summer these char came through in beautiful condition.

How pretty is this?

Almost as pretty as this.

I have never fished this stream this far up. I was surprised just how nice it was.

The brookies were where you would guess they would be...as well as a few other places.

I love places as this on small streams. They are tough areas to work, the debris always claim a fly or two, but that is a small price to pay.

For when the fly finally drifts where you want it to, the result can be awesome. Believe it or not I hooked him twice on the same fly. The second time I was able to bring him to hand.

"Mohawk Rain"

When we were youngsters my mom and dad would take us for our annual visit to the Mohawk Trail to see autumns painting of the mountains. The drive would take us from Greenfield to North Adams MA. It was beautiful and there were the stops at the various restaurants and gift shops. They were memorable times.

There were years when we took our trip and the weather did not cooperate and the foliage had that dull look, pretty but not striking. I tried to create that look in the streamer below.

"Mohawk Rain"

The reds, yellows, browns, and gold of autumn...subdued.

October's Start

Here it is October, and the much need rains have started and will be present for a few days. Yesterday there was a lull in the action and briefly the sun poked out. I took a walk along a stream I had not been to since early July. The air was brisk with a true feel of fall. As far as color a few of the trees were showing early yellow and a maple or two showed some awesome red. Being damp and wet at times they sort of glistened and looked to ice covered.

I had a fly rod with me, a rod that I last fished, which still had the fly in its holder. I moved along the stream looking for the brook trout who in the past were all over this stream. I glanced at the places where I knew there was a fish that would strike at the first drop of the fly. Funny, they were still there. The summers dry weather seemed to have come and to my eyes didn't cause to much of a problem.

I'm not going to tell you that the run in the above photo produced a great deal of action. What it did produce is a memorable trout.

As I tossed the small fly which was on the line from the previous outing I could see it drift towards the far bank. A brookie moved to it and took the fly. Seconds later I placed my hand in the water and saw this beautiful creation. As the light hit its glazed body the most unbelievable combination of colors appeared. This only lasts for a moment, for soon he was back in his world. I thanked the brookie and the stream......."a fine start to October".