Stream "X" and others.

Last Fall a good looking blue line was located on a map. The stream went far back into some state land and had what looked to be good access to water, which would give the stream nice flows. For what reason this stream was not explored at that time. It was one cold day in January when Kirk, Mark and myself decided to check it out. That outing did not last long. The woods were snow covered, and the stream was heavily iced over. So we left and planned to check it out during better conditions.

Well Tuesday I went to finally give the stream a good test. The walk this time was much more pleasant. The sky was cloudy with a sprinkle or two, air temps about 50. The stream had good flows and was full of the classic brook trout habitat. There were nice pools followed by series of riffles. Undercut banks along with downed trees provided adequate cover. So I cast the first fly and started my quest for wild trout.

I walked along this stream for quite some distance. I do not know the mileage but the time was two and a half to three hours. I cast dry and wet fly, and a streamer or two. In all that effort I never once took a hit.

A stream this nice cannot be devoid of trout. They must be there, perhaps I should have gone to the next bend, who knows.

It was a nice hike, and some very interesting looking caves were spotted. Perhaps at another time they can be explored.

In Connecticut we are fortunate to have many small streams, even some that get no fishing pressure at all. After my hike to stream X, I checked another stream close by. It's a beautiful little water that flows through some back breaking foliage. And to make a cast can be frustrating. But the rewards are there.

Several wild jewels were brought to hand on a "Black Fly".

I then moved to a third stream, this one also on public land. The waters of this brook have given brookies and once and awhile a nice brown. Working a soft hackle fly through some deep runs worked.

More and more wild flowers starting to show. With the rains of the last days it should bring many more.

As I walked downstream I came to a deep plunge, with a swift water flow through it. That has to have a fish in it. I tossed the black fly and let it swirl about. Sure enough a trout hit. After he felt steel he headed to the branch where he promptly deposited my hook in the submerged branch. Several tugs and the fly and branch were free. I false cast a time or two to let the fly dry. I tossed the fly in the water to see how it floated. Suddenly a trout came up and hit the fly, unfortunately he missed. Several more casts and no response. I tied on a soft hackle and sent it into the swift water. And what do you know a trout hit, and hit hard. The fish battled with a force not know on this stream. I knew he was a nice fish.

As the brook trout lie in the water I glanced down and could not believe his size. With camera ready I lifted him out of the water and snapped the memory forever. Removing the hook I held him in the water for a moment or two. Suddenly he kicked and was gone.

This is a fish I will not forget.

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