Wednesday Morning

For the last week or so the weather around here has been nasty. It's been hot and very humid with thunderstorms several times daily. My days on the stream usually begin after nine, being one who enjoys some coffee time before heading out and fishing through mid day and into the afternoon. With the weather so hot I have changed my starting time to about 6 am. This allows me to fish while it's still cool. Such was the case Wednesday I arrived to a very wet and misty landscape. The stream was flowing higher from the nights rain and the mist that rose above it was beautiful. The sun coming through the trees was spectacular.

The forest is so thick and green. I dropped the thermometer into the water and it came back with a 62 degree temp. I had taken the TQR 5ft 2wt and had it rigged with a dry fly.

It wasn't long before I found a willing player. The brook trout was also an early "riser"

On days as such finding trout can be as easy as finding shadows. If its dark chances are a fish will be holding.

This handsome brown was taken in shallow water. It tested the playing power of the 2wt.

The brook by the Red Barn

A brook, the origin still unknown to me at this time. It flows swiftly over rocks and fallen trees. Its waters cooled by the deep shade and perhaps a spring or two along the way. There are series of pools and fast runs, classic waters for brook trout. The one outstanding feature of this brook is a large well maintained red barn that sits along side of it near its meeting point with another stream.

I have fished this brook but twice and there is much to still be learned. The brook trout I have encountered here have been few but very strong. Fishing a stream as such leaves me to believe a large brook trout will come from these waters.

Elk hair, squirrel tail, dubbing, and brown hackle.

In these fast runs a fly must be hit quick, there is no time for inspection, or one will go hungry. It's a great place to dance a fly like the one above.

On this morning I was graced with this fine wild jewel.

"Copper River"

"Copper River"

A featherwing pattern that looks like it could be a fine landlocked salmon streamer when used in Autumn. It's tied on a size 6, 6xl hook and would make a nice casting streamer.

On this summer day

Jeanette and I got up this AM and decided to pay a visit to some of the little towns of northwest Connecticut as well as western Mass. This is a beautiful part of New England. Most of these towns were part of the United States before it was the United States. There was a farmers market and craft fair in Norfolk. Great offerings could be had with fresh veggies in season as well as baked goods, especially cookies. There was a band and some wonderful music.

A colorful local craftsman. His work with wood is something to see. He's also a fellow full of stories and not hesitant to tell you of them.

This is a heart breaker. A Jag XKE. At one time in my life this car was all that was important.

Covered bridge in Sheffield, MA. These are so much a part of New England.

Looking west to the Taconic Range in New York state. The area is home to small farms, streams and lots of wildlife.

We did truly enjoy this day. I also came home with bread, cookies, bacon, and chicken sausage.

New Stream, and Fine Spotted Brook Trout

Kirk and I got together yesterday AM for a few hours to fish a few streams we have not fished in a while. We arrived around 8:30 and we both commented on the pristine condition of the stream. We have had some heavy rains in the last weeks but this stream was in great shape.

We started fishing various flies, a few hookups and a few misses. In one pool I hooked a brookie briefly, as he was coming in I noticed a larger fish following. I tied on that old reliable brookie bucktail the Edson Tiger and sent it off to work. I promptly hooked a beautiful little brookie. I commented to Kirk how the brookies in this particular stream were fine spotted and probably the most beautiful of all the streams I've fished.

A fine spotted brook trout that took the Edson Tiger. They are incredible little jewels.

Another brookie from the same stream. They were also killing the Picket Pin.

We then moved to a second stream. We each caught a few. As you can see the spotting is not as fine on this brookie.

This is a tributary to the stream we were fishing. It runs through private property though. I have always wanted to fish it but never took the time. Kirk told me he had fished it before, fishing only a short section. So we wandered up a bit to a stone bridge. There was a nice pool created under it. Standing on top of the bridge I let the Picket Pin drift through. A second later the rod bent and a fight was on. I saw the fish, and was impressed by the heft of him. At that point we tried to figure how to land him. I handed Kirk the rod and I busted through the briars to the streams edge and brought the brookie to hand. He was very energetic and refused to hold a second for a photo. A quick shot and he accepted his freedom.

You can see the stone bridge in the background. I'll get a better photo of it my next visit. By the way while we were trying to get control of the fish the landowner was observing. A wave, and some polite talk and Kirk and I were given permission to fish the stream through his property.

Sorry for the photo quality. The fish was quite hefty, and almost silvery.

The fellow in this photo is late for work....see what effect brook trout fishing has on man.

A fine few hours.

Fishing Derby, 2013

A few weeks ago was the annual fishing derby at the marina where my daughter and son in law keep there boat. The derby is open to children under 12 and lasts for 2 hours. The marina is located on the Connecticut River which is a fishery that has everything an angler can imagine. When the horn sounds to start the derby the contestants go forth and try to catch the most, the largest, and the smallest. They have several officials who keep the records.

The weather was great and a variety of fish were taken. A cookout of hot dogs and burgers, with all the fixins followed. It was a very enjoyable day.

Several nice crappie were taken.

What we all cut our teeth on. Still colorful, and a battler on light tackle.

Morgan took this guy. She also hooked a pike that easily went a couple of feet long, but after a strong fight the pike won out, his razor teeth cut the line.

Nice largemouth. I might have to sneak down to the marina some evening with a few flies and see what I might catch.

Good job guys.

I would like you to check out this site. http://achalabrookies.wordpress.com

carriestevensct@gmail.com

"Fathers Day" and Fishing the Day Before

Good morning, and "Happy Fathers Day". Having my cup or three of joe and trying to put this together.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of fishing together with Mark, "fishing small streams" and Kirk, "Trout Quest Redux". The stream selected is a beautiful little stream that winds through some of Connecticut's state land. It's a stream that flows through laurel and hardwoods, with those wonderful fish protectors "hemlocks". With all of the rain received the last few days the stream recovered nicely. The water was swift in places, that's how I like it, preferring those places to pools. The forest was very green and lush, with numerous laurel blooms about. I selected the Ausable Bomber to be the fly of the day, and a good choice it was. Many of the wild inhabitants of the stream slashed and whacked that fly.

In places as such, I could spend a good deal of time just sitting and watching, it's that beautiful.

Runs as such are perfect for the Bomber. The day was a very good one. Enjoying my time with Kirk, and Mark, along with a few wild jewels.

A "Bomber" Brook Trout

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Browns, Brookies, Black Flies, Bombers, and Blossoms

As I write this it's raining again, not has hard as it did last night or during the day Thursday, but none the less rain. I for one am not complaining for the amount of rain we have been getting over the last few weeks has produced some of the best dry fly fishing I have experienced in the last few years. The small streams are full of water, this makes for wild trout not be skittish and lying in those undercuts. The trout have been moving and it seems that where ever you place your fly your going to get a response.

It's quite enjoyable to see the trout rise and swipe at the fly. Many times they miss as it swiftly passes by, but they are determined to eat and will strike at it several more times.

With high water as such perhaps a pair of hippers should be worn, but I chose to wear hiking shoes which were wet and muddy in a few minutes. A couple of days and the synthetic material will be dry and ready for more.

I fished a variety of flies this day, The Black Fly, Bomber, and a few parachutes, all doing very well with bringing fish to the surface.

I knew this stream also held browns for I have caught a few smaller ones at times. But I was totally surprised when this guy struck the Black Fly and put some stress on the superfine rod. The high water brought the brown out of night time feeding. He hit the fly a mere two feet from where I was standing.

A beautiful wild brown. A wonderful catch from any water but a special catch from this small stream.

As I fished further upstream many brookies came to hand.

These brook trout are incredibly beautiful. They seem to be so energetic and full of life.

These turbulent plunge pools are where the Bomber shines. As the fly bounces up from the white water it usually brings a hard strike.

And such was the case here. A small stream blessing, on the Bomber.

The mountain laurel seems to be nearing a peak, and it's worth another look. I hope the rains don't take the blossoms.

Charles Cotton's "Black Fly" and Some Connecticut Trout

In a post in November of 2010 Rod of "Dry Fly Expert" highlighted a fly that was first tied by Charles Cotton in 1676. It's called simply "Black Fly". Just a few weeks ago Rod did a follow up on the fly and I said I have to try it. I tied up a few, the only thing I left out was the fine silver rib, because I did not have it available. I love the fly because of its simplicity.

I took it out for a test run the other day and was thrilled as to what happened. The moment it hit the water I had a response. There were many more responses that day to the invisible fly, to the angler that is, but not so the fish.

A light rain fell for a while making everything glisten.

With all the rain we've had over the last week the stream was up a great deal. The waters were clear, and several runs and pools have changed a lot.

A wild brook trout that fell for the 350 year old pattern.

This swift run produced several trout. They hit the fly as it floated, and as it was swept under.

Several more wild trout fell for Cottons "Black Fly".

A nice brown was also fooled by the the "Black Fly"

At the end of the day it was proven that this "Black Fly" could take trout. Perhaps it worked the same when Cotton cast it upon his waters.

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