I turned the calendar this morning. February. This is a good month of the year, at least for me. I look forward to the groundhogs forecast as to the arrival of Spring. February is also my birth month, and we can't forget Valentines Day. Sports wise it's Super Bowl time, and the long awaited start of major league baseball camps. We also honor a couple of great Presidents, Washington and Lincoln.
February is also the last full month of the winter. Meteorological winter ends March 5th. It's also a good month to start fishing a few streamers. As the streams start to inch up a degree or two in temps it also increases the chance of a trout looking to eat a good solid meal. Fish small streamers, sizes 10 and 12. Fish them slowly, and don't hesitate to fish them even in places where you think there are no trout.
There are about 7 or 8 places in this photo where a streamer would be hit. Try fishing small marabou streamers, or a sparse tied bucktail.
This wild jewel took a streamer in the pool above. Can you guess where?
February also brings increased daylight, and one really notices it by the end of the month. More daylight, more time to grill......chicken, or beef?
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Great post Alan. Really gets you wanting Spring temps, warmer water and longer days.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
DeleteThanks.
After today I'm hoping it come soon.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThis post has numerous comments for me, beginning with the trout take drifting the size 10 streamer right past the huge log jam. Another likely place is next to the small cut banks on the left side of the stream. That stream section is one of the best looking areas you have posted. As for the meals I like both but the chicken is what I have to eat more than the steak, high cholesterol. Was that a size 12 streamer the brook took? Can't wait for Spring to get here--thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
Both locations were right on.
The chicken is now my choice also.
The streamer is a size 12. Mustad R74-9672
Hi Alan!
ReplyDeleteNice post as usual! Like the picture of the groundhog. I don't know if they are present in Sweden. The picture of the pool really makes you want to grab your rod and get out there to give fly fishing a shot. Thanks for sharing!
Your friend,
Mats Olsson
The Jassid Man,
DeleteThanks.
They're all over the place here.
I tried one of you flies today, the caddis looking one.
Report later.
Hi Alan!
DeleteSounds interesting! Let me know how the trout like the Swedish cuisine!
Your friend,
Mats Olsson
sure sounds like you like this month. :)
ReplyDelete(would you consider removing word verification from your comments? just thought i'd ask...)
TexWisGirl,
DeleteThanks.
I love it.
I just put it back on...robot spam galore. I'll remove it in a bit.
just a suggestion - set your comment settings to the 2nd option - the one that doesn't allow anonymous comments. i think it says something like 'registered users, including open i.d.' i've never allowed anonymous comments on my site, and i have almost zero spam in over 2 years... :)
Deletehope you can get out to fish / freeze today!
Hey Alan - when I saw the first picture of the groundhog, all I could think of was Ausable Bombers and all the great things you can do with a groundhog skin !
ReplyDeleteMark,
DeleteThanks.
The woodchuck, one of Frans favorite materials.
Beautiful stream and fish. March 5th can't come soon enough, especially if we're going to have to suffer through real winter conditions. I wonder how ground hog tastes.
ReplyDeleteRKM,
DeleteThanks.
Tough conditions today. Had to really work.
I never tried groundhog, then again I've never tried crow.
Wow, Alan, nothing like setting the tone! Love it, beautiful Brookie, great looking water, and a small streamer. Ok, the food looks good, too!
ReplyDeleteRainbow Chaser,
DeleteThanks.
We've got to hang on a little while longer, and the good weather will be here.
Lester Kish,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Well I not certain that it's the best, but it's very inexpensive.
Thanks Alan, I needed to hear today that there is a tomorrow to look forward to.
ReplyDeletecofisher,
DeleteThanks.
We are all in the same basket.
Very Nice Brk Trt!!! I think we are all waiting in anticipation for spring!!!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1
DeleteThanks.
This cold is deep. Springtime on the west branch...soon buddy.
It's curious that for those of us who have stream-fished a lot, we cannot view a photo of a creek without identifying in our minds all the best trout lies. That we "read" a stream like a book is a well-worn analogy, but still so apt.
ReplyDeletetenkara ambassador,
DeleteThanks.
A rise form is not necessary. We can give a good guess relying on our expertise, maybe we're right or we're wrong. But we don't care do we.
I've learned that when it comes to small stream brookies, they can be anywhere. More than half the time I have to check the least likely spots first, I would focus on the fishiest looking snag or root wad while the big poppa was laying lazily right in the tailout.
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteThanks.
Good choices. And your right on the fact they could be any where.
Yesterday fishing 35 degree water I managed to hookup on two brookies in the riffles.
It's always a good time to fish streamers. ;)
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteThanks.
Your probably right.
Couldn't have said it better. February is also my birth month, and I think of it as the first month of Spring.
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