Home Waters..6-8-16

Yesterday I took a walk and brought along my fly rod to what i call my home waters. It's a classic small stream that's pretty close to home. I've been fishing this stream for a lot of years and could probably tell you everywhere a trout holds. This is the first time back since early April. I was excited to see my stream flowing nicely. The stream has changed like they usually do, with branches and other natural debris. All this is expected but does it have to fall in the prime locations..oh well.

Ant patterns were all that was needed this day. They were taken readily.

Truly wild and truly beautiful.

The mountain laurel is in bloom and the hillsides look like there's snow on them.

There are some deep undercuts along the banks. Flies drifted to close get hammered.

And this brown did some serious hammering...side note I hooked him on the first drift, lost him while bring it in...two casts later hooked him again...I guess the ant tasted good.

Everywhere you look you see lush green foliage.

Great little pool, hooked several here.

The last one of the day, thank you.

Close Ups

There are times when the camera and the subject seem to work so well together. It's these times when some wonderful photos emerge and here are a few of those photos. I hope you enjoy them.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Jury Duty And A 179 Year Old Spider

Last Thursday I was summoned to jury service. Any one who has gone through this process knows  that there are long periods of time with nothing to do. So I brought along the book "The North Country Fly" and found an interesting fly. This fly is interesting not in the materials used or the complexity of the tying, but in the time in which it was created. The fly is named "Royal Charlie" and created by John Kirkbride in 1837. Upon my not being selected to serve on a jury I went home and tied up "Royal Charlie".

The materials are few, Pearsall's Crimson Silk thread, fine wire, partridge hackle, and peacock herl. The only difficulty, at least for me is the tying and wrapping the peacock head.

The "Royal Charlie"

The completed fly. Just a thought, I think it will work as well without the peacock head.

June First, Warm Water Angling

Yesterday after reading several posts by Howard at "Windknots and Tangled Lines" and Rowan at "Connecticut Fly Angler" I decided to hit a lake and try to catch a few warm-water fish. I'm familiar with the lake and usually do well here. Armed with one fly box and my trusty CGR 3wt I drove into the parking area around 9. The sky was clear and the air temp was very comfortable. The lake was at capacity and the water clear. A breeze was also in the mix but not much of a problem. As I walked in to where I was to fish I could see a few canoes, and kayaks out on the water, don't know if they were fishing or just enjoying the day.

As I reached my little spot I got this feeling that I made a mistake, that I forgot something...well I did my fly box with my streamers. Being about 50 miles from home I was not about to head back and get them so I said use what you have. The selection of flies I had in the one box I carried was more than enough, in fact I could have done well with only 3 flies for that's all I needed this day.

Smallmouths of this size were taken this day. They are jumpers and gave my 3wt a workout.

These rock bass were all over the flies I presented. The fly hit the water and was allowed to stay for a moment, then I twitched it and they pounced on it.

What it looks like wet. When pulsed in the water the hackles come alive.

Here alongside this boulder I was able to hook three of the most beautiful brook trout ever. They were determined not to be taken and all three escaped the camera, but not my eyes. They were wild fish 3-4 inches long.

Many of these were willing to take the fly.

Simple and very effective.

One of the better bluegills today, awesome on the glass rod.

Saw this flying just above the tree tops.