Thursday morning was still frosty as I made my way to the little blue thread I was going to fish today. The sun as it worked its magic soon had me feeling good. Funny how in January, sunshine and 4 degrees can make a big difference. While walking to the stream I was assaulted by its protectorate "nasty bull thorns", these will rip ones unprotected parts to shreds, not to mention total destruction of clothing.
As I neared the water I noticed many small stoneflies on the snow. I tied on a small Adams parachute and worked the stream. I was nott given much of a response, and continued on. Reaching a tail end to a riffle I observed a rise. This happened a few times. I watched a brook trout who was in approximately 4 inches of water rise and gobble up something. I flipped the parachute towards the bank and as it floated over the spot where the fish lay he rose and took the fly. Moments later the brookie was at hand. As I attempted to take his picture we departed.
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| Thorns, what better trout protector. |
I fished along the stream, bringing a few more to the surface and enjoying the fact that I was fishing dry flies in January. I could only imagine if I knew how to fish a nymph.
I came to this pool and observed several rising fish. One problem, the obnoxious current of the pool. Trying to drift a fly to where the fish were was hard. By the way if you look you can see 2 trout lying in the current.
Well in time I was able to get the fly in position, and when I did the trout came up and took the fly.
When hooked he headed for the only obstruction in the pool, luckily I was able to change his direction. Soon I placed my hand under his belly and lifted him up to admire him.
Looking closely the brookie looked "very familiar". He was the same trout I had taken on New Years eve on a EH caddis.
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| This time a "Adams Parachute" |
You can see his photo in my post The Last Brook Trout Of 2012....Catch and Release does work.
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| These little egg dropper are what they were eating |
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Brk Trt,
ReplyDeleteI LIKE IT!!!!!
DRYFLYGUY,
DeleteThanks.
Appreciated.
Nothing takes the chill out of the air like watching a fish come up to take a dry fly! Doesn't get any better than that.
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
DeleteThanks.
Those rings on the surface have such a warming effect.
Dry flies in January, sounds like a great time!
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteThanks.
It's sweet.
Very nice Alan.
ReplyDeleteEd,
DeleteThanks.
Did you make the show in Marlborough?
Hi Alan,
DeleteIt is the 18th thru 20th of January. I plan on going Saturday.
Let me know if you go so we can meet.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI would say 99% of fly fishermen would chose dries over nymphs. Landing trout on a dry in January has got to be special. I assume you are landing those brooks using your 2 wt? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
That 99% is quite possible. Yes sir Bill, all taken on a TFO 6ft 2wt.
Great rod.
Clearly the fish wanted to see you again. That Adams parachute is clearly an effective pattern.
ReplyDeleteRKM,
DeleteThanks.
Now it's your turn to trick him, as soon as you can cast.
Admire very much the fact that your persistence paid off. Dry flies in January is something special. Not all of us have that kind of Karma!
ReplyDeleteRainbow Chaser,
DeleteThanks.
Mel it's truly special seeing a trout rise, but in January that's magnified.
gotta love repeat customers...
ReplyDeleteSteve,
DeleteThanks.
It doesn't happen often, at least for me.
Nice one Alan, reading about rising trout makes me feel that spring is just around the corner now.
ReplyDeletebrian,
DeleteThanks.
A good feeling for sure.....now we must wake up.
Pretty cool that you recognized him..He's a bright eyed brookie!
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
DeleteThanks.
It was that lower jaw that gave him away.
Now that is a day for your MSR pocket rocket and some chili and hot coco. Nice job with the stone flies. I noticed them today walking my dog along an urban river.
ReplyDeleteSavage,
DeleteThanks.
Either one would have been welcomed.
They're out for sure.
Very nice to see catch a release come full circle.
ReplyDeletePeter Patenaude,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
It sure is friend.