Yesterday was a beautiful early April day. Myself and Kirk decided to fish a small stream and we met at about 9AM. The air had a slight chill to it but did not last long for the strong sunshine made it feel good in a short time. I fished a streamer to start and worked the stream in the locations where I knew trout would be. The streamer proved to be unproductive so I switched to a wet fly and sent it off to seek my quarry. After several hours of no success we fished a small section of tangled thorns and general nasty stuff. In a nice little run Kirk finally hooked up and brought a brookie to hand.
The decision was made to go and have a coffee, some peanut butter crackers and some GORP. Then it was back at it again. The stream was in beautiful shape, and just to hear it flowing makes the outing. I took a stream temp and the water was 42 degrees, not perfect temps to try to bring a trout to the surface to eat, although I tried.
These guys were all over the place, but the trout showed no interest in them.
This little piece of stream was so beautiful that I sat for some time just watching the and listening to the stream. The clarity of the water was as if it wasn't there. But I was fishing and it was time to get down to business.
The fly was cast and as it drifted just under the surface in the shade of a fallen log the trout struck.
Moments later a beautiful brook trout was at hand. As I slid my hand in the cold water and lifted him I could not believe the color of this fish. A survivor, he had scars on his flanks and a slight hooked upper jaw. A quick photo and off he went.
He was my only fish of the day, but a special one indeed.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Alan
ReplyDeletegorgeous brookie...and he sure did" hold his colors" thru that nasty, long-drawn out winter... I love the orange and black dorsal fin....Spectacular !!
I put my kayak in "cranberry-pond" ( near greenfield mass).. still had a little ice but melting fast....I saw no rises....and saw one fish up against the bank....I couldn't even see blue-gills yet....water is still too cold as there are still at or near the bootom...and they haven't "stocked" yet....
flyfisher1000,
DeleteThanks.
He sure was pretty. I have a small stream I fish in western Mass usually at this time but it's been to cold up there.
Looks like a beautiful outing for sure!
ReplyDeleteWill
Hibernation,
DeleteThanks.
Will it was an enjoyable few hours indeed.
That is a mighty nice looking Brookie.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
DeleteThanks.
Colorful and well nourished....he wintered well.
A most enjoyable day it seems.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wooldridge,
DeleteThanks. Indeed, indeed.
he really is beautiful! i love your header photo, too!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
DeleteThanks.
That stream was so clear and cold....like liquid ice.
Nice one Alan, a lovely trout indeed.
ReplyDeletebrian,
DeleteThanks.
For sure buddy.
A very nice brookie with gorgeous color. Nice work finding one willing to chase a fly, it's been a challenge this spring. I was out yesterday afternoon and also saw a lot of stone flies but no trout taking notice!
ReplyDeleteMark,
DeleteThanks.
I read your blog and I agree it's been cold. Better days are coming soon.
Alan
ReplyDeleteSometimes one trout is worth the effort as was the case with me the other day. I would assume in that last image of the stream it took some effort to get a cast in place. Beautiful brook you landed, thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
For sure, a wonderful reward.
It can be tricky to put a fly in place, but not has hard as you would think.
Indeed, Alan, that Brookie is a beautiful specimen. "Is" is the key word here. Thank you for sharing the beauty of the stream and wild Brookie with us.
ReplyDeleteMel(Pond Stalker)
DeleteThanks.
He certainly was. And it is a pleasure sharing my experiences with others.
I was out yesterday, too, and the little black stones were everywhere and not a trout on them. Beautiful fish!
ReplyDeleteMatt Grobert,
DeleteThanks.
They're not a favorite food to them I guess.
many stones on the Willi River today but no luck for me and almost everyone I talked to. awesome brookie!
ReplyDeleteMark leonard,
DeleteStill a bit cold there. I have to get over to the Willi.
Beautiful water, beautiful trout. Good to see your world warming up.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
DeleteThanks.
Right on all points, and I'm happy we're in the right direction.
Tenacious little bugga'
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
DeleteThanks.
He was a bit spunky Mike.
As always just phenomenal pictures, they really transplant me to the location you are fishing and well, what else can be said about that fish that hasn't been said already! Gorgeous and captivating that Brookie is.
ReplyDeleteAtlas,
DeleteThanks.
I never tire of their beauty. They're the same species but each one different.
Great colors on that fish. Spring and autumn really bring out those bright whites and bright speckles. Amazing at how adaptable the brook trout is. Quite a survivor after this punishing winter.
ReplyDeletePeter Carlson,
DeleteThanks.
They certainly do sparkle. Man couldn't beat them, so a tough winter is no match.
What a beauty of a brookie! Looks like it was a nice day to be out. It's almost mid-April and winter and spring are still battling it out for supremacy here. Something's got to give at some point, I hope.
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteThanks.
It's an amazing time...usually I have seen wildflowers, but there is still snow about.
Honestly Alan, you're going to send me into a frenzy searching out the best brookie water in Colorado. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHoward,
DeleteThanks.
I'll bet you have some wonderful brookie streams out there.
I come over here to just gaze at your beautiful brookie pictures! Love those spots! Can;t wait for summer when I can finally head to the higher elevation to find me some brookies... = )
ReplyDeleteThe River Damsel,
DeleteThanks.
Emily I appreciate your stopping by.
Great looking stream. I bet that fish could tell some great stories too.
ReplyDeleteSavage,
DeleteThanks.
From those scars I'll bet he has taken a beating or two.