On a recent visit to Red Brook, which was not long enough, the last morning of fishing was at hand. We had decided to fish a half hour or so then visit a local breakfast emporium and head home. The place chosen to fish was close to the parking area and I was not going to put on waders. The pool was right at the mouth of Buttermilk Bay. The tide was on its way out so the pool was quite clear, at high tide it can be a nightmare with all sorts of salty debris.
The skies were cloudy with the sun doing its best to make it through. A breeze was moving up the brook and it made ripples in the back end of the pool. I was of the mind set that this had been a really good trip and the amount of brook trout to hand was one of my best.
I cast the streamer into the run and allowed it to flow with the current to the end of the pool. Stripping the line in at a slow pace I saw a dark object move to the fly and then back off. Several more casts and nothing. Maybe that follow was to be my best chance to hookup on this last few casts on Red Brook. Still casting and hoping for a strike. I was granted that strike in the form of a hard one, it came just as the fly straightened at the end of the drift. A few more casts and another hard strike, only this time the fish was on. A battle took place and from what I felt I knew it was a nice fish. As the fish came close I could not believe its colors. I placed my hand in the water to lift it up. A true beauty. One of Red Brook's finest. The brook trout was photographed and released. It truly was a fitting end to the last casts on Red Brook.
Nice brookie! Amazing that gem was so close to the parking area
ReplyDeleteRI brook trout,
DeleteThanks.
Over the years I have learned that if there is water flowing, and the water has trout, your fly can take them from most places.
like the contrasts of light and dark on that water!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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It was a nice morning, some clouds some sun a bit of a stiff breeze. It all made for some nice photography..
Every picture tells a story, Alan. Very fitting end, indeed!
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
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And what is nice, especially for a slow typist, they say so much.
Aged I love those last cast fish!!!!
ReplyDeleteBrookField Angler,
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They are indeed wonderful.
That was supposed to gawd...not aged. I blame my iphone. lol
DeleteThere aren't enough superlatives to describe your waters and fish Alan. I'm buying a thesaurus this evening for some help.
ReplyDeleteHoward,
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Looks like we're taking a step up buddy.
The last cast will always be the one, if not the first.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle,
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Very true. It seems lately that the last one has been good.
Nice fish! I've been reading your blog for years, and I always look forward to your next post. I fish Red Brook a couple times a year, and as you've said it really is a special place. I've never had the opportunity to talk with another angler about fishing this stream, so if you don't mind I have a couple of questions. Do you cross the footbridge before you fish that pool? I've tried it every time I visit the stream, but I've never caught a fish there, and I assumed it was because I spooked the fish when crossing the bridge. I was also wondering if you've ever fished downstream of the road in the estuary? It seems like some of the bigger salters could be lurking down there, but I've never had any luck. If you ever get a chance, try to fish the brook in late June/early July when the juvenile herring run downstream. The fish become fearless and will strike pretty much any streamer. I caught several brookies with multiple herring hanging out of their mouths.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great blog!
Coleman Egertson,
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That pool is tough to figure. It has given up some nice fish over the years, but not a sure thing.
I usually fish it after crossing the bridge. I fish the estuary every time I'm there. I have never taken a trout in there. I think it would be better fished in March, or early April. I hooked a good sized striper in there.