January 24th, and No Floatant

It was hard to believe that yesterday was January 24th. The air temps were in the fifties, the sun was bright and there was no wind.
This was a perfect day for seeking some wild brook trout from a beautiful little stream tucked away where no one can find it, I hope that is. I started fishing a Picket Pin, drifting it through likely holding waters. The fly was showed interest, especially when brought to the surface, but no takes.
Several fly changes and hours later I had not brought a trout to hand, a few light hookups,were all that I enjoyed. The one thing I noticed was that the brookies were looking up, they seemed to be more interested in taking near the surface. I tied on a dry fly/emerger pattern, and when I reached for some floatant I realized it was home. Luckily there was another angler, who was trying to figure what to put on the menu for these trout, he just happened to have some floatant and let me use some.
I sent that emerger into a pool and as it went under I let it sit a second or two and brought it to the surface. The brookie went for that fly like it was a day in June. I failed to get a hookup, and several more casts brought interest but no success.
I knew that my day was a success, just being there with the opportunity to enjoy this thing, small stream angling. A few trout chasing a fly, another angler to enjoy the day with me, and lastly, a wild brook trout to hand. He just couldn't resist an Edson Tiger streamer.

A small stream, lots of nooks and crannies for the brook trout.

The lack of snow cover enabled me to photograph this stone wall. I love these remnants.

Another angler, an angler with floatant. That's Kirk,"RKM Trout Quest" trying to coax a brook trout.

This is a reward. This is why I spend hours on little streams, why I have a sore back, why I decorate the hemlocks and mountain laurel with flies, all for this little 5 inch treasure.