Friday, January 12, 2018

Some Firsts Of 2018

Changing weather, as iconic New England as brook trout. Well over the last couple of weeks we have been in a deep freeze, with a nor'easter thrown in. Air temps have had to struggle to hit 10 degrees. With weather like that stream fishing was out. Now for a change, a moderating trend in temps started Monday and which will end with today's high temp of 50+ degrees. This change took me to a stream on Tuesday where I would be able to work a fly or two and perhaps be rewarded with my first fish of 2018.

The day was cloudy and although gloomy the possibility of a peek of sun was there. The sounds of the woods were silent, only a bluejay could be heard, probably alerting every creature to my being there. I enjoy quiet out there but only from man made noise, the natural stuff is welcomed.


Sparse tracks going in. Perhaps a hiker.


The stream was flowing nicely, open water and breaking ice. Careful wading was a must. I had tied on one of the soft-hackle streamers I just finished tying. Working every possible section of stream I searched for a willing player.


After many casts I connected, a brook trout slammed the streamer. He was beautifully marked and strong. My first wild jewel of 2018 was at hand.


This run was on fire this day. I had numerous strikes here. They came from various places along it's length and it's shallows and depths.


My second brookie of the day/year came from the run above.


Last years nest, with an icy topping....it's lovely out there.


I did use several other flies today, but this is really all I needed.











29 comments:

  1. Alan
    Congrats on the first brook trout of 2018. Pretty fish and surroundings!! Good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete it was almost 2 weeks into the year, but it finally happened. We will have a lot of water-snow melt in the next few days.

      Delete
  2. Alan,

    What great start to the new year! Could you share a little more about the fly you just tied shown in the photo please?

    Thanks

    John V.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John V.
      Thanks
      John so far so good.
      The fly is pretty simple. I used a size 8 hook, any curved hook will do like a Allen N201, or TMC 200R. This fly can also be tied in sizes 10 and 12.
      The body is orange Danville thread. You start behind the eye and wrap back to just about to the barb, then wrap back to about 2 eye lengths. Take some soft marabou feathers and tie in. Then a soft hackle feather, the one used is hen pheasant. Two wraps of the hen pheasant and tie off, whip finish.
      Good luck.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Mark Wittman
      Thanks
      Mark it sure looked better than NYD.

      Delete
  4. Another good day. Congrats on your first for 2018.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark these days are remembered.

      Delete
  5. Alan, After the negative temps all I have to say is Ahhhhh. great to see that you started the year off with natures jewels.
    I hope all is well.

    Kurt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brookie61
      Thanks
      Kurt I hope your year is starting upbeat.
      That frigged spell we went through was brutal, but the sun shined on me with those wonderful brookies.

      Delete
  6. Great fish Alan! I leave tomorrow morning for my first trip of the year as well. Shaking off the shack-nasties and going feet-wet. :)

    Thanks for bringing us along!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      Ralph that first outing of the year is such a wonderful feeling. I hope your trip is successful, which it already is, just going assures that.

      I'll be looking forward to your account of the trip.

      Delete
  7. Brk Trt, what a difference than 12 days (Jan 1st 2018) on your 1st outing of the year tradition. Mild temps but gloomy, we'll take it!!!

    Thanks for sharing.......Phil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY
      Thanks
      Phil it truly is day and night...but we must remember where we live.
      Enjoy it while we have it.

      Delete
  8. Great shots! I enjoyed the post and stumbled on it researching Tenkara fishing. Now have to find out how to sign-up.

    I just received some 3 and 3.5 level line and took my fly tying materials out after a 15 year hibernation. Looking forward to hitting some small streams here in MA once again. Just got a cheapo 270cm rod in to give it a go.

    You have got me excited and realizing there is no need to wait for warmer weather - provided this 1.5-2.0" of rain followed by the cold snap does not blow everything out for a bit.

    Thanks - Pete M.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PJ Mac Neil
      Thanks
      Pete welcome.
      We have a few tenkara viewers and from time to time they offer some of their expertise. Lots of info here just tinker with the archived posts.
      I'm happy that the weather has been kind for the last week, but I know we are not out of the woods yet.

      Delete
  9. Lovely trout. That second one I nicely bright! Alas, I am iced over. Back below 10 tonight. Have to bring in load of wood for the woodstove. Foxhound and I batching it this weekend. Forbidden Food !

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey nice going Alan. Especially for a man of your advanced years! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard those advanced years are about to add another digit to them.
      Still feel great.

      Delete
  11. Nice start, great looking fish with pretty coloring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonym0us
      Thanks
      A bit slow at first, but hopefully things will fall into place. Winter can be tough on us fly guys.

      Delete
  12. Alan, looks like the soft hackle resolution has begun. Congrats nice Brookie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad the first time out was not a good indicator being so cold. This time it was different.
      We were out yesterday to and another softie worked some magic.

      Delete
    2. Good job Alan. I was surprised at the size, of the fly (No.8 hook). I seldom use anything that large for trout.

      Delete
    3. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John I don't often use that size either, but I had the hooks there and tied a few. I think I'll try some 10's.

      Delete
  13. Congrats on the beauties, Alan. 59 degrees today as opposed to a low of -21 a few days ago. Crazy weather indeed. Back into the deep freeze tomorrow the weatherman tells me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam it has been an up and down winter so far. Luckily I've been able to take advantage of the ups.

      Delete
  14. Alan
    A great way to start the season landing some colorful brookies; The 50 degree temps were nice compared to what you guys have been experiencing. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill it was horrendous for a couple of weeks. The moderating temps have been welcomed.

      Delete