Monday, July 16, 2012

A Rare Saturday

In this spot lies a trout that owes me some flies.


Saturday was one of those rare opportunities for me to fish all day. Jeanette was going to visit New York City for the day with my son. I declined not to go on the grounds that a million people on a hot day all together is not good, especially for me. So on this hot day I was to enjoy some of Connecticut's fine tail water fishing. Kirk was to meet me at a location on river. As I drove to that location I noticed his truck a few miles down stream from where me elected to meet. I stopped and walked along the river to try to locate him. After a brief search I was unable to see him. I jumped into my car and continued to our original destination, knowing he would eventually meet me.

I entered the river and began to fish. I had a Bomber on, because that was the fly tied on there from my last outing. I cast the fly slightly upstream and as the fly hit the water a trout rose. Of course I missed hooking him because I was not ready to have this happen so soon.....always be ready, I should take my own advice. A few minutes later Kirk showed up. He told me he had hooked up on a few browns down below. We continued to fish this section with good results, mostly for Kirk, but I had a time or two. The fish were rising and I still don't know to what exactly but a size 16 CDC caddis was working.

In a previous post I told of a very large brown that I tussled with in a deep pocket and lost him in some fast water. I have fished the same spot a few more times in hopes of tangling with him again. Well that never happened til Saturday. I was fishing there again, Kirk was just down stream. I cast the 16 caddis into the pocket, it sat there briefly then it was pulled down and under. As I lifted my rod up I felt the weight of a big fish. I yelled to Kirk, I got him on. The fish went to the bottom and never came up. Seconds later the line went slack and it came back to me minus the 16 cdc caddis. This fish lives in this pocket, I know that. He's consumed two of my flies. Perhaps the third time's the charm.
This is a rainbow that I took in some fast water. He's beautiful. What I think is so special are the parr markings on this fish, as well as the overall condition of the fins. Could it be.


We broke for lunch. Sausage and home fries. Cast iron cook so well.


We moved on to another section and fished. It was at this time that Kirk had to leave. I was to stay and fish until late evening.


Lots of beauty stream side.


Around 5:30 I stopped for dinner,a "Boston" strip steak, after which I would continue to seek this rivers trout.


I elected to fish this section. It is one of the most beautiful areas on this river.


The final fish of the day was this handsome brown. Is dorsal was like the northern lights as the sun was setting on this day.

You can read Kirk's take on the day at, "Trout Quest Redux" blog.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE











25 comments:

  1. Hi Alan....having been to NYC during the middle of the summer I believe you made the right choice.

    Beautiful picture of the brown.......

    I have one question: do you have a pack mule to carry all your stuff? :)

    My brother-in-law complains when he has to carry the bait bucket as well as his equipment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed,
      Thanks.
      The gear usually stays in the car. I come up out of the river and cook along the stream near the car.

      Delete
    2. That makes sense.....

      I may have to start doing that. My brother-in-law is always saying we should cook why we are out fishing.

      Any tips on supplies, etc. that you have gained over the years?

      Delete
    3. Ed,
      I carry a small cast iron fry pan, you can cook most anything in one. I also have a small back packer stove. It uses propane gas. Plastic forks and plates are OK. A good knife is a must. Cabelas, or Eastern Mt. Sports have a great deal of what you might need.

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous fish you have there!! Stream side lunch looks pretty good also!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      The trout have been small, but beautiful. Maybe if I knew what I was doing I might be able to take a few of the big ones we both know are there.

      Delete
  3. The fin on that brown is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      I thought that fin was quite nice.

      Delete
  4. Alan
    It absolutely wears on me to lose a good fish---at least you know where he lives. Are you wading without waders in these waters? Is the humidity bad there, it is unreal here. I am going tomorrow to the tailrace and thinking of wading without waders. Great Post!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      The water is to cold to wet wade. It's been hot here with the humidity on the rise, typical July weather here.
      Good luck on your outing.

      Delete
  5. Fantastic looking food!

    Oh and fish too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G. Lech,
      Thanks.
      We may have problems catching fish, but chow is A OK.

      Delete
  6. That rainbow certainly is beautiful. I love the parr markings. I can't wait to return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RKM,
      Thanks.
      He was nice. The fins were almost transparent.

      Delete
  7. Beautiful little bow! I enjoy your posts. You're blessed to have a tailwater close by.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. babireley,
      Thanks.
      I appreciate your comments.
      That tailwater is a wonderful resource.

      Delete
  8. Great post and what a great fly tying trip.
    http://www.caddisflyshop.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. That bow sure is pretty it reminded me of the brookie photo from the Farmington. Its like the wild fish there take on a torpedo like shape that just looks so darn beautiful! Thankfully I can fish vicariously through you, with the heat, low water, and relatively poor fishing in Ohio I doubt I could survive without your blog, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill,
      Thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad I can provide you with some fine fishing tales to help you over the hump.

      Delete
  10. A no brainier decision for certain! Lunch AND dinner Streamside? Ok, it's official, you made the list of people I want to fish with before I tag out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gary Thompson,
      Thanks.
      Well buddy I see you were able to get things worked out.
      You want to fish with me, and I would love to take my 20ga SxS and chase a few birds with you.

      Delete
  11. Alan, I think you've captured the perfect fishing trip. Good going.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard Levett,
      Thanks.
      I truly enjoyed myself.

      Delete
  12. Another great outing and post. That rainbow is a beauty!

    ReplyDelete