It seemed like summer made a brief comeback the last few days with the heat and humidity back in force. But Thursday night the summer heat was broken and nature put on a fireworks display. We received some heavy rains along with the winds they combined to drive the nasty weather out. After some necessary home duties I was able to get away about 9:30 and drive to a stream. The rains of the night before did little to raise the stream levels, but they were more than adequate for this time of year. I dropped the thermometer in the stream and it read 64.
I felt that a dry fly would be the way to go this day. So the Bomber was chosen and put to work. The low clear water only managed to bring a few to the surface. The hits were fast and were missed. Wild brook trout to not like to be seen, and they don't comeback for a repeat strike.
So I changed flies and went to a subsurface wet fly. I tied on a Picket Fin without a bead. With just that little difference of an inch or two underwater did the trick. The hookup rate picked up.
The trout were holding near the banks at the end of the riffles.
There was a definite feel of Autumn this day.
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It looks the same here in the Smokies, air 51* this a.m. How are things coming on "Thin Blue Lines"? Will they be available soon?
ReplyDeleteRay
ray henley,
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Welcome Ray. Good to have your comments from the home of those wonderful Appalachian brook trout.
Ray the books are available now, you can email me at uppahdam@aol.com and I'll give you details.
It's time for some serious rain. The streams are too low. Poor fish.
ReplyDeleteRKM,
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Your right on some needed rain. It's good the streams are cold.
Alan
ReplyDeleteJust when I think you can't top the beauty of those stream there you always go a notch above. I am really impressed with the combo you were using. Is this the 2 or 3 wt. with what I think is an Orvis reel. When one fishes for the best naturally they use the best. That header image is “out of bounds” as Guy would say—Diners, Drive-ins and Dives---Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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The rod is an Orvis Superfine 6ft 4wt. The reel is a English made Battenkill, a great small stream set up.
I will not pay full price on this stuff Bill. I check for the sales which usually come at seasons end. I love bargains.
So I sit and look at the beauty of your small streams and am completely envious of your opportunity. In the meantime, I look out my window here in Northern Colorado and there is water everywhere, not where it is supposed to be, and, none of it fishable. I will use your blog to keep me in the mood for another day and time!
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
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You guys are going through hell.
My thoughts are with you.
Still summer in NorCal, but fall isn't far away.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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Mark it gets prettier every day.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Alan. What a terrific post after cleaning up after the storms. I love the Battenkill and Super Fine...good taste.
ReplyDeleteHoward,
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You be safe out there. I'm thinking of you.
Nice job Alan. The fin sure has been seeing a lot of action lately! Too look at it you would never figure it would fool so many trout. Thanks Fran
ReplyDeleteMark,
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I thank him every time I tie on one of his patterns.