Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Hemlocks and Hardwoods

When I find a friendship as this, hemlocks and hardwoods, along with a stream I know there's wonders to be had. It seems these two do an awful lot to the streams they escort. The broad leaf of the hardwoods give shade and act as a cooling agent, especially in those warm times, and the evergreen hemlock provide both shade in summer and shade and shadow in those time when there are no leaves on the hardwoods. They both have root structures that help stabilize the banks along the stream. And even in those times when nature wreaks such havoc on them buy breaking branches and even felling them across the waters they provide shelter and sanctuary for the residents in the stream as well as along it.

Two small parts of a very complex environment called brook trout forest.


Just to walk these wonderful paths with these trees is an enjoyable experience.


When all is right this hemlock and hardwood stream will give up a jewel or two.


I'll fish for hours and hours just to bring one to hand.


Check out the fine book, "BROOK TROUT FOREST" by Cathy Scott.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

27 comments:

  1. They are one of my favorite types of woods to spend time in....nice post.

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  2. Hi Alan........Before I started reading your blog I would have never thought that there would be fish in such small streams. Now whenever I am hiking, biking or pheasant hunting I am checking these streams for fish. Thanks for the gift of knowledge.

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    Replies
    1. Ed,
      Thanks.
      You would be surprised what holds in some of those streams. Give them a try.

      Delete
  3. It's been a long while since I've been to somewhere as nice as you've pictured. Those small stream certainly do hold some jewels. I do have one question...what happened to the front end of that fish?

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett,
      Thanks.
      Herons? Bad photography?
      I like the way the tail stood out against the sun and stream.

      Delete
  4. Another great photo essay! Nice Job!!

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  5. Your a lucky man to live in proximity to such jewels of water.

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    Replies
    1. tenkara ambassador,
      Thanks
      Yes I am, and I give thanks everyday.

      Delete
  6. Love it. Those forests, those mixed conifer/deciduous stretches with edges and changes in plant - and animal life - are amazing places... thank you for sharing those images -and keeping at your blog! --Will

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous,
      Thanks.
      Will, they are super places, and one of their finer displays yet to come.

      Delete
  7. Hemlocks and brookies go together it seems. I'm not sure about your neck of the woods but here in PA native brookies are often referred to as 'hemlock trout'.

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    Replies
    1. Bill,
      Thanks.
      They're not called that here, but I have seen that term used elsewhere.

      Delete
  8. This is one of the reasons I love to fish streams, the smell and the scenery is an added plus. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Those moving waters, it's all there.

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  9. And Cathy Scott's BROOK TROUT FOREST catches the essence.

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  10. Thanks for the suggestion. I just ordered BROOK TROUT FOREST from Amazon and am looking forward to reading it on the plane during an upcoming trip.

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    Replies
    1. tenkara ambassador,

      I'm sure your going to enjoy it.
      Here's a link to a wonderful trailer.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKqifSDyv3A

      Delete
  11. the last line of the post is so true...sometimes it's about quality and the journey to get there!

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    Replies
    1. Steve,
      Thanks.
      A big part of fly fishing small streams happens outside of the water.

      Delete
  12. just gorgeous scenes! the richness of the greens in the top shot is just wonderful.

    thanks for finding my spot in blogland and leaving such a very nice comment! :) i really appreciate it!

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      You also run a great blog. Spent some time in Texas back in the sixties...nice memories.

      Delete