Streamers 365.....

Beginning January 1st, 2012 a feature is about to begin. It is a feature that took a year to create.
Streamers 365 is the work of Darren MacEachern, a streamer tyer from Canada. Last year he asked fly tyers from all over the world to submit streamers they tied, both classics and freestyle. The response was great and the feature will be launched New Years Day.
Any one who loves these long flies, their history and beauty will enjoy this feature.

I hope you will stop by at http://streamers365.com/ and enjoy this work of art...new streamers daily.

I was asked to contribute 3 of my streamers to this wonderful feature, and was humbled to be in such a group of streamer artisans.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A Thin Blue Lined...Shared

Most trout streams are pretty much known to all anglers. They are listed in most of the pamphlets that each state fish department issues with their fishing license. The special sections of these listed streams are well known to anglers, info that is usually handed down from family or friends.
Small streams, Thin Blue Lines, that hold wild trout and especially those that hold wild brook trout are closely guarded secrets that few share with others. These streams are kept secret not because the angler is selfish, but because they are fragile habitats that need protection. Heavy fishing pressure, and catch and keep cannot be practiced on the wild streams.
Yesterday I was given the opportunity to fish one of these thin blue lines by an angler who researched this stream and did the leg work which comes with sore muscles, wet feet and sometimes more to document the streams wild fish.

Kirk, at "Trout Quest Redux" and I met up at 10 am or so and fished this wild trout stream he had found. A beautiful gem located in the forests of eastern Connecticut. Kirk had fished this stream several times and spoke of its brook trout. Brook trout that were feisty and colorful and willing to take your offering.

As the hours passed Kirk did well with these brookies, while I was unable to bring a single fish to hand. About 1:30 Kirk had to leave, and I decided to stay for another hour or so. Moving along and down stream, fishing as I walked with the hope of bringing one this streams wild ones to hand. As I fished a long slow pool, almost at the tail end a brookie took my offering and gave the chance to admire its beauty. A quick photo and back to his clean home. I then cast into the pool and instantly the line went in a funny direction. Pulling the line tight I realized I had a second trout on. It to graced my hand and allowed a photo before its release.

I continued to fish that stream and never once did I have even a bump. It was a fine day on this small blue line, a blue line that was shared with me so graciously.

The stream, lots of pools, runs, and beautiful riffles.

Kirk, stalking wild brook trout.

A true reward... a wild friend to hand.

This pool was good to me as I was walking out. I can't remember if I fished while walking up.

Two brook trout...the same pool, on consecutive casts. Thanks guys.

Making It

As I sat at my desk laying out this post, trying to put my thoughts down in words that would describe them. I looked at the cup of black hot coffee and realized how after these so many years how much this beverage means to me. A cup of strong "joe" in the AM and the cob webs in the brain start to fall apart, and clear thoughts start to appear. Such is the case today.

The "Housatonic Special" a simple bucktail pattern created by Walt Stockman. I saw the bucktail in "Forgotten Flies" and it looked to be a fly that a brown trout would show interest in. I have not fished it as of yet, but plan to soon.

A box of flies sits on a window sill. The warm sun shines on it. It is full of flies that bring trout that dwell in small streams to the surface. My thoughts are of such a day, a day which is months away.

Warm days, dry flies, and the wild brook trout that rise to them.

Thanks to......Black, hot, Nantucket Blend for making this possible.

The First Day of Winter 2011

Yesterday was the first day of winter, and if every day of winter could be the same as the first it would be OK with me.
After having thunderstorms the night before the day broke to sunshine with a promise to reach temps in the 50's. That's all that was needed to finalize our plans.
Jeanette and I soon packed a lunch and left to locate a new stream, one that was told to me by Kirk, at  Trout Quest Redux. His directions were good, but I missed the stream somehow. So rather searching its location and loosing time fishing we decided to fish another wild trout stream familiar to us.
We had a wonderful day. I had the pleasure of some brookies coming to hand, we enjoyed a stream side lunch, and took in some natural woodland beauty.
We realize days like these are few, luckily we were able to take advantage.

This first deep run of the stream produced a quick response. The trout came from under the wood and missed the fly. Not giving up on the promising water, I let the fly work again and again. I was rewarded with the ability to take a photo of a brook trout.

The brookies were taking the fly in the middle to top portion of the stream.

A stream side lunch. Ham and cheese on rye can be so delicious when served outdoors.

This section of this little stream is a favorite. Its a long run with riffles and some deeper channels. It usually gives a fish or two. The hemlocks provided some cover, and the wet fly was to much to resist. The trout that came to hand was a wild tiger trout.

The tiger is a very strong fish. They fight with the tenacity of a bear. A 2wt gets a workout.

As we were leaving, this tree looked so right.

Christmas 2011

Taking this time to wish all "Merry Christmas". I hope that whatever your wishes are this Holiday Season, are wishes that come true.

Be Happy, and be safe.

Is it just me, or.........

Is it just me or do you have the same questions.
Are wild turkeys less wary? When I started hunting them back in the eighties you couldn't even sneeze and hope to get a glance at one. Now they seem to escort me to the stream.

Are birch and hemlocks more prevalent along freestone streams? They're so beautiful together.

Are all cheddar cheeses equal? And would you drive to another state for a chunk?
Granville General Store, Granville MA. the best cheddar.

Are the best fishing stretches of a stream, the hardest to reach?

Are wild brown trout from a small stream harder to catch then their larger water brethren?

Do old abandoned barns seem just as spooky now as they did when we were kids?

What say you?

A Cold and Cold

Tuesdays weather called for sunny skies and temps in the mid forties, not to bad for fishing, but. When I arrived stream side it was a different story.
This section of stream is surrounded by tall pines and hemlocks, this equals lots of shade, and very little sun penetration. I tied on an egg pattern and began to work the water. Drifting eggs is not like fishing Bombers, with Bombers you see the fish take, with eggs you can just about feel them take.
After fishing an hour or so, with some subtle hits I hear someone call my name, I turned and said yes,and was greeted by fellow blogger RKM from Trout Quest Redux.
We talked and fished for awhile and I could feel the cold working deeper. He told me he had fallen in a stream earlier and that made a chill penetrate a chill that would stay with me through the day. By the way I have been nursing a cold for a week so that was of no help. So I told my fishing friend I was going to fish a section of stream that offered some warm sunshine and we parted.

I fished that section for a couple hours and was rewarded a trout or two. As I left the stream I had good feelings from seeking out these wild trout....but the chill was still there.

Ice on the branches...beauty, but a reminder of things to come.

A warmer friendlier section of stream. The trout were hanging in the seams.

Two small stream wild trout. Their beauty made the chills all worthwhile this day in December.

The Oreo's and milk, very soothing.

"Indian Rock"

In the western Maine mountains lies a series of lakes. These lakes are a destination of many.anglers. They come here to fish for brook trout and salmon.
Scattered within these lakes are numerous rivers, many offer great fishing for the same trout and salmon as the lakes provide.
The river I write of today is the Kennebago, in particular the place where it meets Cupsuptic Lake. There is the place they call Indian Rock. Located there is the Oquossoc Angling Association. It's one of the oldest fishing organizations in the country which was established in the 1870's.

The streamer I created is named for this special place on the Kennebago.



"Indian Rock"

Product Review, and Some Stuff

I don't often do product reviews, the reason being most of the stuff I use in my pursuit of small stream trout is old school and most everyone has used it for many years.
This item I picked up several weeks ago and had a chance to use it for the first time last week. In an attempt to get a fly down into the current I pinched a small, I mean small amount on my leader, and right after hitting the water that fly was in the zone. Loon putty is soft and workable and hardens like steel when it meets the cold water. It's removable and does no harm to your leader, it's non-toxic and reusable.

Loon Deep Soft Weight

I have received many requests for information on the thread for tying the Ausable Wulff and several other Fran Betters fly's. At the time I spoke to Fran about it he told me he used Gudebrod orange. I had purchased several spools of it from his shop. Several years later in an attempt to purchase more I was told that Gudebrod no longer makes fly tying threads. Many questions on a suitable substitute, I have come up with these. Uni Thread, and Orvis. I think Orvis is the closest to Gudebrod.

For many years the Pennsylvania F&B Commission has issued these wonderful patches.
They issue them yearly and they are well done. These are only a few of the patches I have, and I keep them in a box. I used to sew them on my vest, but no longer wear one. I'll just hang on to them, perhaps someday one might have the value of a Ted Williams rookie card.

What Is.......Is Not

This post was supposed to be about the "Carrie Challenge ll" feature that was posted yesterday on Global Fly Fisher. But in the process of looking for photos of the streamer I found several photos that brought back some fine memories. Memories of fishing small streams.
As I viewed them the sights that they captured brought the experience back as if it were yesterday. I like many other outdoor people, we have cameras with us. Cameras to capture that something special. I take photos of most anything relating to my outing. Perhaps if I would keep my fly in the water, instead of taking photos my catch rate might be better.

A place like this is captured forever. I recall this 2007 outing ever so clearly.

This brook trout came to hand. Taken on a favorite wet fly. I didn't have the Picket Pin in my box at the time, but this one was given to me by the only angler I saw that day.

Can man build this?

This brook trout appears to show anger in his eyes, fearing the possibillity of being the evening meal. Not to worry my friend.

An evening camp meal for two. Franks and beans and chicken soup can taste so good at times.