This is a report on the Cabelas TQR 2wt. Friday we headed out to fish a class 1 stream that's known for nice brook trout. The stream is a small to medium size tail water with an easy flow. Well that was not the case this day. The dam must have been releasing water and the stream was up, and not to our liking.
So we headed out to a small freestone a little further south. I have never fished it but Kirk has. Well when I laid eyes on it I fell in love. A beautiful place, with wild brookies. Now the test began.
Kirk trying to coax a brook trout. A classic brook trout stream...hemlocks, moss covered stones, pools and runs.
The TRQ paired with an Orvis Battenkill. The rod preformed very well, but the reel was a bit heavy. I have since replaced with a lighter reel and it feels so much better. I'm going to test the new combo and will give you a report on that.
A brief lunch before we began our trek along the stream.
It was a while before we had a taker. Within a few minutes I had a brookie rise, and Kirk had a hookup. But both fish managed to wrangle off.
As we were about to leave, we decided to try a few last pools. In this one I cast the Tiger into the run and worked the streamer. After several casts the line went stiff, the hook was set and the trout was on. It felt like a nice fish. The 5ft 2wt did its job and a beautiful brook trout of about 12 inches lay at my feet. As I unzipped the pouch to get the camera the fish twisted and was swimming freely, back to his home in the brook.
I vowed I would return to this wonderful stream, perhaps at a time when the trout will be rising.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
looks like a lovely wee rod, is that a cork reel seat?
ReplyDeleteCol,
DeleteThanks.
Yes it is cork.
Hi Alan!
ReplyDeleteThe frestooner looks very nice! Good that the gear worked well. I can imagine that a lighter reel will make it even a more pleasurable experience fishing with the 5 footer.
The Jassid Man,
DeleteThanks.
I love that stream, got to get back there soon.
I picked up a reel for it, now to try it.
Brk Trt,
ReplyDelete12" wild brookie? Nice fish! Guess he was camera shy.
tenkara ambassador,
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Wonderful fish, and he's waiting for a rematch.
Your new rod looks very nice Alan, and a stunning looking stream to try it out on.
ReplyDeletebrian,
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I think it's going to work out well.
Those wild trout musta put a good bend in that 5 footer! Nice looking spot! This time of year is great for hiking, before the briars take over everything.
ReplyDeleteSwamp Yankee,
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It did. Your right on the briars, they're manageable.
Very nice looking water and if you found a 12" brook trout it must be a pretty healthy stream!
ReplyDeleteMark,
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From what I'm told they can grow that size in a certain area. Needs more checking though.
Brk Trt,
ReplyDeletegreat report on a beautiful location, new rod and a wonderful looking PBJ.
Thanks for letting us come along..........Phil
DRYFLYGUY,
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Love the stream, and gotta love the PB&J
Nice, did you over weight the rod with 3wt line?
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank,
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Exactly. I'll try it first. Most of my rods are overlined.
I am liking the fact that you were able to fish a streamer pattern on a 5ft. 2wt! Well done.
ReplyDeleteRainbow Chaser,
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It worked well. The streamers were tied on 10's and 12's so they weren't that heavy. They were also tied very sparse.
I bet a twelve incher was a blast on that little rod. You'll get that photo next time I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteJay,
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It was truly an unexpected fish. Hope to get a rematch.
Nice report and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that still eats PB&J sandwiches when out.
ReplyDeleteBill,
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The PB&J, a trout bums gourmet sandwich.
Lester Kish,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
They're there, we need only seek them out, and keep them as secret as possible.
Nothing better than fishing some new water with a new rod. Can't imagine a better way to spend the day!
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
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I'm in total agreement.
Alan
ReplyDeleteGlad to know the 5 ft. stood the test--what is the brand name of the silver fly reel in the image? I have a little Redington Drift reel I use with my TFO 7 1/2 ft. and the lightness and balance is outstanding. This little reel is 2.6 in. in dia. and is rated for 2/3 line wt. I did a post last year on selecting light reels to use with light fly rods and found that the Redington was the lightness fly reel on the market today. Calelas carries the brand---- http://www.cabelas.com/product/Redington-Drift-Fly-Reels/1164654.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dredington%2Bfly%2Breels%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D22%26y%3D11&Ntt=redington+fly+reels&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products By the way have you had any mishaps on the moss covered rocks? thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
That's an Orvis LA Trout.
That's the reel I bought. Redington Drift 2/3. It balances very well on the TQR rod. I picked it up at Cabela's on Saturday.