The "Trickle"....

The next time you drive or walk over one of those little flows of water stop a moment and peer in. The small spring seep with a few pools is one I have visited many times. On most occasions I see a frog, maybe a snake and a few minnows, but there are times when I see a few rise forms. It is when I see the rise that I try to follow up a bit and check them out. Most times what ever is rising has left the area, where they go is beyond me. I have long said that brook trout can survive in almost no water, as long as what water there is is below 70 degrees. The trickle you see here is about the same all year. it's flows may increase some in times of heavy rain but it soon reverts back to what you see here. There are some springs that feed ground water into it and that helps to keep the waters cool.

On this day the rises were pretty consistent and what was hatching had to be small for I could not see anything. Where the "trickle" flows under the trail there is a culvert. The culvert was placed in there with the fish in mind. It was designed to allow a natural unobstructed way for the fish to move up and down as needed.
 

 

 

As I peered through the  tangles I saw this fellow hanging out on the culvert. I was certain he saw me but he made no effort to flee. I'm certain he is not a resident of the "trickle" but instead migrated up from the larger stream in which the "trickle" empties. My question is, why would a brook trout leave the security of a larger body of water to ascend into a little "trickle"? Another mystery surrounding the brookie.
 

 

Fly Fishing

Romantic how can a word like that be used when the first picture you see is a messy desk with nothing that could be close to romantic, with exception of the awesome cup of coffee. But fly fishing is one of those sports that encompasses the word romantic unlike any other. It seems to me at least that there is so much more to it then the final objective which is catching a fish. There are many publications and various other media outlets that show just the big catch. It seems to show the end result as the highlight of the fishing trip. Fly fishing tends to show the other aspects to our "passion"...there is so much more for the fly angler to grasp while in the pursuit of his end result.
 

 

To see the wild flowers in an undisturbed state....not on wicked tuna.

 

 

A bamboo fly rod which has a life of it's own. This life can not be described but if you have ever fished one you will no what I'm talking about.

Fly fishing art, it comes in many forms and there are no bad pieces. Art comes in many forms but the simple elegant drawing of a streamer fly is at the top. This is a drawing by Armando Milosevic.

A trout stream. While there are those who will focus on the pool above or below I like to focus on the rough riffle in between.

A fancy gourmet meal, maybe not to a chef, but to a fly fisher this is one hell of a meal.

The fly..probably the most recognized part of fly fishing. They are a true form of art when the heart and soul goes into creating it by the tyer.

Not the big tuna or marlin. No it's probably the most beautiful fish that swims.

Fly fishing literature...more books have been written on one form of angling then any other. Many books can now be read online but I still prefer holding a book when I read.

Red Brook Needs Our Help Now.....

My fellow anglers, conservationists and those who just love the natural outdoors I'm asking a favor of you to help save Red Brook and it's salter brook trout. There is a plan to develop 275 acres of land in the head waters of Red Brook. The development will draw water from the aquifer that supplies the cold spring waters that are needed for the survival of Red Brook's salters. As I write this it feels personal, I mean my love of the Lyman Reserve, Red Brook and those truly unique brook trout that swim its waters have been written about many many times here and other forums. To try and describe how I felt the first time I visited Red Brook and saw just how beautiful and wild this small area is. And when I managed to fool my very first Red Brook brook trout is something that is very hard for me to put into words. Jeanette and I have visited Red Brook several times a year for over a decade. As a matter of fact the first time we visited there they had just completed the removal of one of the many dams on this brook. Over the years we have met many fine people while at Red Brook. One in particular stands out. There was a grandmother and her very young grand daughter. They were walking along the path and the child reached out to pick a wild flower. The grandmother stopped and explained to the child that those flowers were beautiful and that everyone who walked along the trail enjoyed them. But she said if you pick them then no one else can share in their beauty. 

So by this development that only benefits a few it takes away from all of us. I know many of you can never visit Red Brook but care deeply for wild things. The wild salters of Red Brook need your help.

Below I'll post some links that I hope you'll take the time to check out.

 

 

 

A Red Brook salter

Letter to the editor, Ken Buckland    kbuckland@wareham.ma.us

 https://flylordsmag.com/sea-run-brook-trout-in-danger-from-new-development/?fbclid=IwAR2NgiHylLacVkZfmnbOLxWgiUlTlqQU4yoW-i3mRmVx53rTb4

 

https://go.tulocalevents.org/saveoursalters/Campaign?fbclid=IwAR2XZYt4faU_iKjb7HzLKqzEUc1iPajOBz-1G1dBACx1RBNKuUx140K2l-M 

 

Thank you for whatever you do. It will help to show a strong show of support especially from out of state anglers.

Alan

Springs first day...

The first day of spring arrived in what I would call nothing short of beautiful. I mean the sun was bright the air was fresh, the birds were singing in earnest. I even saw some skunk cabbage popping up through the leaf litter. As i walked along the stream I had that feeling that all was well with the world. Nature has a way of bringing out the best even in situations that could be quite bad. Brilliant sunshine also can lift ones inner spirits and it sure did for me on that day.
 

 

The stream was in wonderful condition. But some rain would be welcomed.
 

The brookies were very willing to play and although small they were a joy to catch.
 

I met one of the landowners where the stream passes. When I was approached I though for sure I was going to be asked to leave but that was not the case. The woman told me that she as a child fished the same stream. She told me of the countless "natives" that were in the pools. She said she would throw worms into the pools and watch the brookies just go crazy for them. We chatted for awhile and she told me that I could access the stream anytime I liked.
 

This was a real nice fish. His color was outstanding for the time of year as was his girth. I have caught hundreds of these "natives" and they still thrill the hell out of me.