Yesterday morning I woke up to a light rain. Looking out the window the plans I had made were not looking good. Heading downstairs to have my first cup of coffee I noticed Jeanette was already to take her walk, at that point I said it's raining and the reply was "not for long"..she then told me the weather guy said the rain would stop and the day would be one of those hit or miss shower days. Well it looked like the plans were on, and with that I sat down and had some breakfast. A few more cups of coffee and I was getting the gear put into the car.
I had chosen to fish my home waters this day. It had been awhile since I drifted a fly and was anxious to see how it had fared the recent heavy rains of the last weeks. My eyes could not believe what I saw, the little stream was transformed into a whole new place. There had been some heavy tree drops onto the stream as well as log jams causing the old pools to become entirely new.
The water volume was up and the trick was to try and locate where the trout might be.
Sandy bottoms were seen where there was gravel and large branches clogged many of the undercuts.
I managed to locate a willing brookie. It took awhile, maybe the changing of the clocks to EST threw them off.
There were places along the stream where the "glorious season" still could be seen. Some time was spent here to savor it, even the mist in the air could not dampen the beauty.
In a run as beautiful as this, how fitting it was to be able to hook the most beautiful brook trout of the day along its riffles.
A home water jewel. These days are dwindling and I am very lucky to have had a day like this.
Alan
ReplyDeleteGorgeous golden colors of the foliage and the flanks and fins of that last brook trout. Fall foliage, natures paint brush at it's best.
TROUT1
DeleteThanks
Pete that is such a pretty little stream, and it's not a bad one to fish...sort of angler friendly.
Aah, the beauty of Fall. Now we can get ready to fish downcountry. It's getting a little white up the hill.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
Mark you speak of "snow", oh man I'm glad it's in your territory. It'll be here soon enough.
" A home water jewel. These days are dwindling and I am very lucky to have had a day like this." Alan, we are all so lucky that you have shared this day with us.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful fall colours and that last brook trout is truly a native jewel. Such a pity that they did not thrive here in Australia unlike brown and rainbow trout. I hope that I'll get the chance to fish for brookies sometime in the future.
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve Hynes
DeleteThanks
Steve I love bringing you along on these outings. The time for the lovely foliage is dwindling but photos as these will help take the edge off of winter.
I hope you can one day enjoy the wild brook trout experience.
Thanks for taking us along on your home stream, Alan. Truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to fish a small stream nearby that holds native brook trout and wild browns, but at this point I am not sure I know how without spooking every trout in there. What is your strategy on small streams? I seem to recall you fish downstream. How long is your leader?
Thanks, Sam
Parachute Adams
DeleteThanks
Sam spooking wild trout is going to happen, man I do it every outing. These trout developed this wariness in order to survive and use it very effectively.
It's true I fish mostly downstream. I like to make my way upstream and fish down, it has worked very well for me over the years.
I use a furled leader, it is about 3' the leader has a tippet ring to which I'll tie on about 3-4' section of tippet which is 6x fluorocarbon. This combo works very well.
Thanks, Alan. Fishing those small streams is almost like hunting, except they can all be returned. I find it amazing what you do.
DeleteSam, today I'll be scouting a piece of woods that I'll hunt.....great thing about it there's a wild trout stream running through it.
DeleteI'm glad you found a place to hunt this year. Maybe you will flush a few ruffed grouse along with scouting for deer and brookies in the stream that runs through the property.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I would have no trouble living near your home waters,what a picturesque place you live in. That last trout might be as fine a example of a native brook trout as you'll see anywhere, absolutely gorgeous. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
DeleteThanks
Brad it truly is a special stream. I have fished this stream many years and have seen some dramatic changes to it, but there has been a few constants...one is clean cold water and the other is the tenacity of the wild brook trout to overcome all odds.
I love the kype that guy is developing.
Some really beautiful photos Alan. I especially like the trees. Your trip out reminded me of that old saying, You never step into the same water twice. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
DeleteThanks
Howard images as these are going fast, another week and they're gone.
That saying is so true.
The woods are glorious indeed this time of year! I've been noticing also how much things have changed since the recent storms and rain. Nice to see that little brook doing well
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
DeleteThanks
Mark some of the pools and runs have changed a great deal. They should prove to be good as things settle to somewhat normal. A few of the pools should make for good winter holding.
Alan
ReplyDeleteOne just can't beat colorful fall colors this time of year and to top it off fishing one of your favorite stream. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill the fall color season is at end, I was lucky to find a few trees still in color.