New Years Day...... In The Journal

A few days ago an idea was brought forth, to fish a small stream on New Year's Day. So a few emails sent and the deal was locked in. Pete, "TROUT1", and John, "Apache Trout" and myself arrived at the stream of choice, a beautiful little wild trout stream tucked into the Eastern Connecticut countryside. The sky was sunny and clear, and the air temp was in the 40's not bad for January 1st. While getting into our waders and assembling rods, Pete noticed a small stonefly on the snow, than another, and then what looked to be a caddis. As we walked to the stream I was going to drift a Bomber, why not a dry fly trout for the first fish of 2011.

As we fished for a few hours we met at a special pool on this stream to compare note's. Pete had been fishing nymphs, and soft hackle's, and had a hookup, although briefly. The only activity I had was a trout following a yellow marabou streamer. And then along came John with a grin like a kid on Christmas morning. This man had done something that's hard to believe. He showed us a pic of a healthy wild brook trout of good proportions, he had taken this fish in a long slick pool on a....... are you ready for this.... A "Hornberg". This is a great fly and accounts for many fish over the season, but this is a first for John, Pete, and myself.

So the start of a good year is in the journal. Thanks John, and Pete.

Pete working a good pool

Was this the pool where the "Hornberg" worked its magic?

John's beautiful wild "Hornberg" brookie. The photo courtesy of John.

Tailgating stream side.