Take A Walk With Me...an invite to fish a small stream.

Well folks finish up that last cup of morning coffee and take a few hours with me for a walk along a small stream. I enjoy having you along but there are a few requirements I ask of you, only a few. Leave your devices back at the car. Bring some water, a camera if you like. Insect repellent would be nice. Leave that old fishing vest home, a simple assortment of flies is all that's needed. No waders required,a nice pair of hiking boots will do nicely, and let's not forget a 5' 9" GCR 3wt. On this day we find the sun shinning brightly, the wind is almost non existent and air temps are comfortable. As we walk through the laurel thickets we see how the Spring woods are alive with that beautiful green color. Birds seem to chirp as if to welcome us, they know we mean no harm and we are here to enjoy and not to destroy.

In short time we come upon the water, it is flowing nicely and it says it's going to be a good day. It is here that we encounter are first mishap...a slip on the moss covered rocks send a foot deep into the streams cold waters. Oh well on we move.

We come upon a beautiful pool...a little water fall drops lots of of water causing a perfect hold for the brook trout. It is hear where we cast our first fly of the day. As the little ant pattern swirls just beyond the white water a rise is spotted, and hookup and our first brookie is at hand.

A handsome fellow with a lot of fight. He is put back into his watery home and as always a "Thank You" is given.

Moving through the woods we encounter what looks like a mess of downed trees and storm debris. But there is a nice pool above and below this jam. Placing the fly won't be easy but this is small stream angling. I'll let you guess what pool I fished..upper or lower.

After several casts and one hang-up that I was lucky to retrieve I coaxed this nice dark colored brookie to take the fly. He did not come to hand easily. He knew just where to go when in trouble.

As we move along the stream we encounter several areas where we need the aid of objects to help us along...be careful where you put you hands. They're pretty, but better left alone.

The sun is getting higher and the trout very wary. Now is the time to use any shade to our advantage. A shady spot alongside of a rock will bring a rise.

This is the result of using the shade to your advantage.

We stop here for a drink of water. Looking at the surface of the stream for a rise.

Another companion stops by as we rest and drink. In the dry leaves this guy has perfect camo.

I hope you are enjoying the scenery. We move further up the stream.

Another brookie who was found in the shadows.

What a peaceful place. Some would say that's to small of a pool to hold a trout.

But we try anyway....and look what we have found.

Again we stop for a water break..hydration is so important. As we scope this rather large pool we can see a few light colored mayflies about. Further observation shows that the trout have no interest. The pool must be tried anyway.

In several casts the pool gave up not a hint of what was in it, but we knew better. A swirl came and a dark image went down...the fly with it. The fish was on and I could not believe the weight of it. You must be careful in small places for it is easy to loose such a fish. After what seemed like a long time I was able to slide my hand under the brook trout. This was a large fish for this stream. I was lucky to get the photo for after it he was gone.

We now decide it's time to hike back and to reflect on our few hours on a wild brook trout stream. We walk out slowly taking in more of the sights and sounds of the natural world.

Back at the cars we enjoy a light lunch. Time is taken to say thank you. I hope you enjoyed coming along with me.