It has been some time since I've given a fishing report. It's not that I haven't been fishing it's just that I had a few other matters I wanted to offer you. So lets go.
I have been out a couple of times in the last week or so on different streams, each one was a good one in terms of beauty, simplicity, and in the mix a fish or two.
A small stream after a fresh snow. It was cold and snow light and fluffy, which makes for an easy walk.
We had fished for a few hours, for me it was slow in terms of hook-ups but there is so much more to winter angling than just fish to hand. Simplicity a wonderful factor in small stream angling and in the winter that's a term I call "super simplicity"....most times I fish one fly, or two, this day it was two a dry and pinkie.
I approached this little bend in the stream. It has an undercut with a good flow of water leading to it. I was armed with the pinkie so I let it drift. As it neared the undercut a fish hit and it hard. I could feel that the fish was on and soon the little section of stream exploded. I saw the fish move every where it could it was really testing the little glass rod. I was finally able to gain control and swung the fish along towards my hand.
Low and behold a rainbow, this is a big fish for this little stream. I was impressed by its dark color and orange gill plate. This stream is not stocked but the pond below it is and once in awhile one of these rainbows get adventurous and moves upstream.
You are right about the winter fishing. Here in the Smokies I find it the same. It's just lovely to be out.
ReplyDeleteCapt. Ray
Jen Hen
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Ray do you have snow in the mountains?
We got 15"a week ago. All gone now.was sunny and 60* today at 3000'.
DeleteRay
Hey there Brk Trt, being in the woods after a snow fall really is a winter wonderland, especially when you mix in fly fishing and small streams.
ReplyDeleteThat rainbow is a real beauty.......Phil
DRYFLYGUY
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Phil it's so enjoyable, there's no rush and every cast could prove to be the fish of the day or maybe the year.
I always enjoy seeing your brookies but that is a nice rainbow....congrats!
ReplyDeleteChris "Kiwi" Kuhlow
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Chris that stream has some beautiful brookies, the rainbow was not a surprise but it made the day.
Now there's a nice surprise! I always love when the winter turns their red to orange.
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph when it was hooked we were trying to figure out what it was....dark sided fish in the water.
The pinkie strikes again! That stream is so beautiful when the snow covers the ground!
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark the "pinkie", winter's fly. You can probably tell where the bow was taken. Kirk got a beautiful brookie just downstream from there.
Winter is a great time to be out.... and that a really nice rainbow, beautiful colors.
ReplyDeleteDoug Korn, Fly Tyer
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Doug winter is great, so long as the wind doesn't blow.
Alan
ReplyDeleteGorgeous winter scenery with the fresh snow covering the woods. The rainbow has some nice coloration too!!
TROUT1
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Pete we hit that stream before the dog walkers got in. The bow was a "not to bad" catch.
The rainbows are extra active lately. That stream always looks nice in a fresh coat of snow.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan that guy migrated up the stream from the pond. I would think there would be more food for him there.
He was a feisty fellow.
Pug snout
ReplyDeleteBureboyblog
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Yes it is.
Wow, beautiful colors on that fish. The season has long been closed up here and everything is frozen solid. Reading your wonderful descriptions is the only fishing I get, ...so keep fishing!
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike it has been getting colder here, but a moderating temp trend is forecast, so fish I will.
Shelf ice can be dangerous.
Just a skiff of snow here in Colorado but I'll take my rainbows this time of the year from the comfort of Small Stream Reflections.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard I'll be happy to provide you with those rainbows from time to time.
Alan, what a beautiful rainbow you caught out of that small stream! I bet that little section of water just exploded with that one fighting for freedom. What a sight that must have been. Regards, Sam
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam explode it did. There have been some very nice sized trout taken from that stream over the years, including browns.
Alan,small stream big fish,I don't think it gets much better than that. Pinkie comes thru again. Do you ever use the squirmy worm material? I've always used chenille and had success so I figured why change what works. Beautiful photos as always, they have that peaceful feel about them. Thankyou for the post.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad pinkie was the ticket that day. I have not used the squirmy material but Kirk a gent I fish with just started tying with it...it works.
its surprising what these little streams hold Alan, well done another good read
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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George that's one of the nicer parts of the small stream. You never know.
Alan
ReplyDeleteA quality rainbow for sure; snow that deep would be a disaster here in Spring Hill---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill it's a beautiful scene, but it's tough walking.
Great fish. Nothing is better than the moment from the first tug to the surprise when the fish reveals itself. It's magic and the world stands still, if only for a few seconds. Your posts, at least for me, achieve the same effect. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFred NJ
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Fred that first tug will rock you especially when it's so hard. After fishing and catching 4-6 inch brookies it's a wake-up for sure.
Lovely looking stream and a cracking rainbow. I'm always amazed at the size that trout can achieve in tiny creeks. A few weeks ago I took a visiting US couple fly fishing in a tiny creek nearby. I'll always remember Steve and Wendy's "Oh My God! It's huge!" when Steve hooked a beautiful 12 inch wild brown trout. Priceless!
ReplyDeleteKindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve Hynes
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Steve those little waters can harbor some real brutes. That couple must have been thrilled.
Your "Pinkie" not withstanding, Alan, I've always considered Stewart's black spider the "sine qua non" of wintertime trouting. I just ordered a new cock starling skin and a spool of YLI silk, in chocolate brown. I'll tie some up but save them for warmer weather. Its a bit too cold for me now and I prefer fishing silk lines, anyway.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John I've never tried Stewart's spider during winter. I have fished other dark flies using starling and have taken a few. Cold weather is harsh on fly lines, I can really see problems using silk.
I have a silk line that was given to me last year. I have never used it but perhaps spring/summer 2018 might be the year.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful water flowing through beautiful surroundings and a gorgeous rainbow to boot! An early Christmas blessing perhaps? Wonderfully well documented as always Alan! I simply cannot get enough of your blog! Please keep on fishing and photographing!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug that rainbow made the day, and a Christmas blessing for sure. We were out today and the fish seemed to have a severe case of lockjaw.