Saturday, December 28, 2013

Winter Waters





Thursday the day after Christmas Kirk and I fished a small stream in southern Connecticut. We have fished this stream many times and figured we knew it pretty well. I had arrived at the stream first and tossed out the pinkie. It was not shown any interest. I moved to several promising sections and they all produced nothing. There are times especially in winter when changes in weather can turn on or turn off a trouts feeding. Today was a typical winter day to me but apparently not to the fish.


I continued to move upstream and came to this likely looking brookie stronghold. Fishing it thoroughly I pretty much covered all of it. In a deep but narrow section I had my first taker. The brook trout was on and a few shakes later he was off. This was to happen again within a few minutes just downstream. 0 for two. Just about that time Kirk came along and we fished the stream together. The next few hours were not very productive for either of us. One bright spot for me was when I fished a shallow riffle and managed to bring a brookie to the surface while pulling back and forth with a Picket Pin. That fish was no further than a yard away from me. The day continued to keep its steel gray color, and now and then a snow shower would take place. It's beautiful fishing in the snow. Time was getting on so we decided to call it a day.


On my way home I pass another stream and it was my intention to stop and toss a fly into the better places, places I hoped would hold a willing trout. On the second cast in the first pool I felt a tug, lifting the rod up I could feel the fish. In a second I held a little brookie. With that I took down the rod and headed for home.




Look what Jeanette had waiting for me when I got home. A very delicious chill breaker.










20 comments:

  1. sounds like a good day, regardless. the tree burl growing around that sign is impressive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      I thought it was pretty neat....love stuff like that.

      Delete
  2. Alan
    The pinkie was a hit again, I may have to dig out the pink or red san juan worm for Wednesday's trip. I would guess that sign has been on that tree for some time. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      You should give them a whirl, you might be very surprised.

      Delete
  3. More good scenery. Nothing like a good mug of hot chocolate to take the chill off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      That stuff tasted so good. I may have a cup right now.

      Delete
  4. Brk Trt,
    not a very productive day on the stream/streams is OK, I guess thats why they call it fishing instead of catching.
    Hey while we're on the subject of fishing. I know its a simple tie, but what the method of tying that "pinky"
    It looks like a san juan worm thats wrapped like a woolly bugger?? I could probably mimic the fly, but if I could suggest maybe a future post of the tying technic??

    Another fabulous post..........Phil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY,
      Thanks.
      Very true buddy. I might consider doing such a post. Love the input Phil.

      Delete
  5. Thursday was pretty slow for me as well. Unfortunately I only think it will get worse as we move deeper into winter! At least the scenery is always beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LQN,
      Thanks.
      You may be right. Looking at next week forecast it doesn't look good for tossing a fly.

      Delete
  6. Hi, Alan. Sometimes, as you surely know, are days where the fish win in the game of fishing. That is why we love the challenge so much. Just being on the water in a winter snow storm is beautiful enough!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel Moore,
      Thanks.
      Very true Mel, and a light snow makes it so pretty.

      Delete
  7. Your reports cheer me up while I'm sick and stuck in bed.
    I don't even have the strength to tie flies, so you know it's a bad cold.
    I'll be in touch about next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      Hey Amigo, you stay in bed and drink fluids. You must get better for the New Years Day tradition..
      A brook trout on a Hornberg ......

      Delete
  8. A wonderful way to spend an overcast winters day...and the hot chocolate is a great way to finish it off as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      I have to agree with you on both counts.

      Delete
  9. nice little brookie...I got a chance last nite to "wet-A-line"....I was standing on an ice-shelf...just onshore tying on a 6 foot mono leader....then a 4 foot 5X tippet on the end....as I was tying my triple uni-knot...my rod slid down and out from under my arm and the butt hit the ice....take a guess what shot outta there....!!....needless to say.....saw a fish...but none to hand....lol....theres always tomorrow.;}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. flyfisher1000,
      Thanks.
      That's quite funny. And your right there's always a tomorrow.
      A big thumbs up for giving some time to fish.

      Delete
  10. Looks like another fine outing for you there, Alan. Glad you'v been getting the opportunities. Today I got turned away from a brookie outing by increasingly heavy rain and snow, but there's always tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That little one is just letting you know that you two have a rendezvous in a year or two..

    ReplyDelete