Going fishing.

With the heavy rains of Tue and Wed the streams should be in awesome shape. Good flows will hopefully get trout that were hunkered down in places where their movement was restricted due to lack of stream volume, moving again. They will be seeking food, and a nice deep pool to call home for a while. Thanksgiving dinner has settled and today I will seek the brook trout.

This is a wet fly that will see some work today. It along with a streamer, and perhaps a caddis dry and a Bomber will also be used.

With some luck the TFO 6ft 2wt will get some needed exercise, and a wild brook trout will come to hand.

Thanksgiving 2013

"and through the wood"

Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day.

A Mountain Stream

A mountain stream who's headwater origin is unknown. It flows over boulder and log this day as it has for perhaps centuries. The waters are cold and clear, the mosses are at time a brilliant green and seem to highlight the stream. Along its run it makes contact with deer, fox, and many birds. It is a series of pools which lie below large boulders. these pools deep and dark hold wild brook trout. These trout can be seen at times rising to insects that fall into the streams waters.

This stream allows an angler to cast flies upon its waters. It cares not weather its a perfectly tied Catskill Dry, or a rough cut Ausable Wulff. What it should demand is that nothing be changed, and that all who live in and around this mountain stream to what nature had intended.

So if you see this mountain stream in your travels please enjoy what it offers, and please respect it.

"Love" November Style

November is that transition between Autumn and Winter. It's a time for 65 degree days and some of the coldest temps of the year. This November day found myself fishing a wild trout stream in the woods of far northeast Connecticut. The day was sunny and clear beyond words. Cold days seem to really clear the atmosphere. The stream was running a bit on the low side and as clear as the air was it had nothing on the clarity of the water. I walked the stream fishing likely spots, and sending the trout in those spots for the nearest cover. One such pool a brown trout ran downstream sending two others who were downstream back up and through the run I was fishing.

The catching action was very slow and I decided to perhaps try another area. This would involve a short drive, one that was welcomed after a couple hours in the crisp air.

Upon crossing a field to get to my car I noticed this milk weed pod. It had burst open perhaps weeks ago and still remained intact. It's seed looked like ice crystals.

Back at the car a coffee break was in order. Nantucket blend black and hot really gave this angler a boost.

I fished the second area pretty much the same as the first. This time I managed a hookup, although brief it felt good. It was tough angling this November day, but I could not have enjoyed it more.

I croosed a little foot bridge nearing the end of the area I was going to fish. There's an old saying, and I can't recall who said it, but it gos like this,"never pass a bridge without fishing it". So upstream of the bridge I let the fly swing, it stopped briefly and I felt the fish resist. Moments later I had my first trout.

This small wild brown with his gold, red, black and orange colors was my reward for this Novenber day.

The "Edson Tiger" revisited.

Those that have followed this blog know of my fondness for brook trout. I can't put into words the feeling I get when I catch one of these guys. They are a blast to catch on a dry fly, but it's the simple bucktails, which I believe were designed for the brook trout, that I enjoy using. This is one such bucktail that is a staple in my fly box. This fly has taken more brook trout for me than any other streamer. This fly is easy to tie and does not require a lot of expensive materials. You can use a variety of hooks, I use everyday run of the mill Mustads in a variety of sizes. Peacock herl for the body, yellow calftail for the wing, and a tuft of red hackle for a topping.

What I would like to see is anglers and tyers putting some of these to the test where you fish. I would love to see some of the western fly fishers try these out. And you anglers who fish warm water species try this bucktail.

Simple hooks. Use what you have as long as they are a streamer hook.

These are some Edson Tigers tied in various sizes using different materials for the tail. I also tie them with a wire rib to give them some weight. Tie the Edson Tiger sparse, and the more it gets chewed the better it produces.

A little late.......

Good morning folks. This was supposed to post this AM but I got up late and had to run to make my appointment with the woods. Over the next few weeks I'll be attempting to harvest a whitetail with my son. So the blogging will be bit erratic in its timing. I hope you won't mind.

These are a few photos taken over the last few months.

The beaver was full, he couldn't finish.

While fishing the Farmington in October I had the company of a bald eagle. He kept flying back and forth keeping a eagle eye on me.

How many seasons has this weathered sign post seen

Near the shores of Rangeley Lake Maine. The Log Church.

The Farmington River in October

Along a trout stream in Maine

Incredible, "salters"

A thought entered my mind last week to perhaps pay a visit to one of the "salter" brook trout streams on Cape Cod. So early Sunday morning we left to do just that. The weather was not promising, with the possibility of showers. While driving we encountered fog, drizzle and the peak of a brightening sky. Upon arriving in Buzzards Bay we stopped at Leo's, the place for a super breakfast. If your ever in the area please stop there you won't be sorry. As we were leaving Leo's the sun was about to break out, and when we arrived at the stream there it was out in force.

Walking up the road the smell of wet pine and damp earth mixed with salt air was incredible.

This is a coastal stream and is influenced by tidal movements. The lower portion was showing an out going tide. I have never fished here at this time of year so I knew not what to expect. The one certainty was these brook trout have a strong love affair for streamers.

When placed in the right place the streamer will be taken. Yellow and red seem to be favored colors.

One never knows what to expect here

Tidewater. This is salty water.

May have been in the salt for a while

An incredible coastal fishery

Later in the afternoon the clouds took over and a fine rain started. As we said so long to this beautiful place the sky opened up. Thankful for the wonderful day we took the ride home.

A mid November day

Mid November pool

The air temp when I looked out at the thermometer on the deck Tuesday morning was 28 degrees. There was skim ice already covering the pond, and the resident Kingfisher was screeching his displeasure to not being able to get his breakfast. This cold spell is not unusual for mid November in New England, why I'll bet our friends to the north are skiing now, oh well. I had a good bowl of oatmeal and several cups of Nantucket which got the motor running. Put my gear in the car and headed to the stream. By 10 the sun had warmed things a bit and there were even a few midges about. I fished my standard assortment of flies and they brought nothing. In two hours of fishing I had managed one brookie to hand.

I decided to fish another stream. The water was on the low side, but upon moving further upstream I found many nice deep pools that held fish. The bright sun had these guys on high alert so movement at a slow pace was a must. Oh how I love this fishing. It was past 1 PM when I noticed the first rise. Several more and I promptly tied on an Adams parachute. The fly was a 18, which is the smallest I had. I sent it off and it quickly brought a response. Failing to hook the fish I continued to fish the Adams. That was the last of rising fish. I tied on a soft hackle and worked the pools especially toward the banks. That method finally gave me a reward.

Small stream beauty

The true reward today was being able to fish such a beautiful place.

When I got home, as I walked up the stairs from the garage I detected a wonderful smell. Jeanette had baked a walnut bread. What an ending to this November day.

It doesn"t get any better....It can't

Saturday and Sunday were sweet days afield. Monday just seemed to be sweeter. The stream I chose to fish is one I'm familiar with, but haven't fished this section in quite some time. The day could not have been better weather wise. A bright warm sun filled the woods and was so welcomed on my shoulders. Such days can also make for spooky trout, especially with low water conditions and the first few steps taken sent several trout to the highlands. There was not a single bug coming off the water, but I had to toss a dry. After some time I realized it was not going to happen and opted for a wet. As the day moved on this proved to be the right choice.

Even in death, nature shows incredible beauty.

Can you see the deer?

While extracting a fly from the briars I felt as if someone was watching me. I had not seen anyone, or caught any movement. I stared across the stream and observed a deer almost concealed in the brush. She had moved so quietly through the laurel and spotted me and froze. They are truly woodland ghosts.

The stream gave up some very beautiful wild browns. There brilliant red adipose fins and the red stripe on the bottom of the tail looked like fire in the sunlight.

The stream drops here and forms a large deep pool. It looks very promising but has yet to give up a fish. Below this pool the stream turns and begins to flow under a place this angler will always throw a fly. As the fly moved through the shade and barley touched sunlight on the other side the line went stiff. I set the hook and a few moments later I held a jewel. I tried for another photo but the brook trout said one and done.

It's at this time when you say it can't get any better.

As I was walking to my car I noticed some disturbance in the water. Slowing down I saw what appeared to be a somewhat large fish in the water. Moving closer I saw a big female brown. She appeared to be making a nursery. It was water maybe 6 inches deep. The head and shoulders of this brown were awesome. I took the photo and walked away. I'll be back in a later time.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

How was your weekend? Mine was...........

Mark, near "Jim's Brook"

My weekend started with a planned outing to the Farmington. I was to meet up with Mark at a fly shop on the Farmington. I arrived at about 10, Mark drove up and informed me he had been fishing for a while and the trout were on the bite. We talked a bit trying to decide where we were going to fish. Well the decision didn't take long. Being that both of us have a passion for the small stream I suggested such a stream I'm familiar with which has a good population of wild brook trout, so off we went. When I drove up the sun was shinning brightly, but that changed pretty fast and the clouds rolled in. Cloudy days make for good fishing, but not for that nice feeling you get when the warm sun is on your back especially in November.

The fly choice for me was a Picket Pin, and I'm not sure what Mark chose. He went upstream, and I fished down. I worked several pools and runs without a hit. The water was clear, and for that reason as well as "I have a good feeling about fishing a dry" I tied on a "bomber". Two casts later I had a brookie follow the fly and take a swipe. That fly worked well this day, it even allowed a hookup on a beautiful Autumn colored brook trout. That little jewel never made it to hand but its colors and tenacity are still in my mind as write this two days later. Mark joined me downstream and told me he had observed some spawning brookies. They were located in a pool just a short distance from where I had observed spawning brookies a week or so ago. We continued to fish that little stream and Mark was able to land one of the streams treasures. We moved to the Farmington where I continued to fish dries and not take a trout. My only fish to hand was a juvenile salmon.

Stunning, clear and pristine. Want to try to cast a dry fly here?

Sunday morning broke with sunny skies and a promise to be milder than Saturday. Jeanette and I put some cutting tools and canvas bags in the car, we were going out today and find some dried Autumn colors for a little decor. We stopped for some breakfast at "Cracker Barrel" and drove to the fields I knew would have just what we wanted. There was a small stream that flowed through the field and low and behold there were brookies darting about. This was not a fishing day so we got on with the task of the day.

The sun striking this bittersweet was brilliant. We have enough to create some wonderful Thanksgiving decor.

Standing and looking at this abandoned nest I had the feeling of reality. Soon the harsh winter will wreak havoc on this quiet home.

Beauty. One need not cut this, just walking through will collect all that's needed.

Trout were observed rising in this pool.

Fast changing November skies. They went from sunny and warm to gray, windy, and cold in a short time.

So my weekend was one of the better ones this year.

The "oh no" streamer.

I haven't tied a streamer in a while so the other day I sat down and put one together. I selected the materials I would need, sized the feathers, chose some nice Jungle Cock and began to tie. In tying streamers there are times when mistakes are made, these are usually minor and can be corrected generally with ease. But on this streamer the mistake could not be corrected, at least not with ease. As a matter of fact I did not see the "boo boo" til the fly was finished.

So what I'm going to do is let you find the mistake. And the one who picks out this pretty obvious mistake, I'll give you the fly. Hopefully someone will see it within a couple of days.

The "oh no" streamer

From the photo closet

Time spent out and about I manage to take lots of photos. Most of these just wind up on a memory card and never make it to the blog. So here are a few such photos I'd like to share. I hope you'll enjoy.