I can" believe it's been a week. Well a week ago I met up with Kirk at a small stream that was chosen for it's access to it, by that I mean there's parking and it's usually plowed. The stream is at times a problem with it's vegetation, mainly nasty thorns. We chose to fish at what I consider winter prime time 10 am..water warms a bit and fish seem to be active. That fly pictured above is an adaptation of an Ausable Bomber tied as a wet fly. I challenged myself to fish only soft-hackles, wet flies for this year and this is one of the flies I fished that day.
The conditions were fairly nice for January with cloudy skies and temps near 40. The stream had a stable flow with only a few icy spots. The only issue was the fact that the fish were not hitting. I fished two patterns and Kirk must have fished several others and all without success until we came upon a deep little hole with a nice riffle leading into it. I let the Bomber wet go and as I twitched it a fish moved to the fly.
Soon this bright fellow was at hand. Both Kirk and I could not believe how beautifully colored he still was. As it turned out this was the only fish I was to bring to hand. And you know what it was all I needed.
Alan
ReplyDeleteNice soft hackle!! Gorgeous colors on that brookie!! It only takes one to make your day!!!
TROUT1
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Pete what was surprising is the spawning colors were still there. No issues with one fish.
Beautiful brookie and nice looking fly. Enjoyed the post!
ReplyDeletePJ MacNeil
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I was happy the fly managed to bring on to the surface. Good day for sure.
well done Alan again a lovely marked fish.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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Colors make me happy, then again I'm usually happy about anything fishing related.
Really nice fish! Love the fly too.
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph I guess you can't go wrong with Betters' colors.
Very nice fly and brookie.
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank
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Kevin I appreciate your comment.
In the winter it's all about the quality not quantity. This time of year a fish like that is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad a treasure indeed. The weekend is going to be on the mild side, I hope I can do a little sweet talking and maybe get out for an hour or so.
Alan
ReplyDeleteAnother classic pattern; what is the size of this fly? I know you guys will make a return trip. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill that is tied on a size 14 curved hook. We will return, that's a guarantee.
That's a pretty looking little brook trout, Alan.It's almost superfluous to say that as they are all beautiful gems of nature.
ReplyDeleteNice looking fly but that goes without saying!
Cheers,
Steve.
Steve Hynes
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Steve they are one of natures works of art, and they are tenacious. The fly I have great hope in it's ability to produce in the warmer future.
Alan, that's a beauty.... the fly and the fish... glad you could get out.
ReplyDeleteDoug Korn,Fly Tyer
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Doug we are in a bit of a warm up, the next days should be good for fishing
Beautiful brookie, Alan, that looks to be in fine shape as does the stream. Same as you, I am surprised to see such bright spawning colors still.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam I don't know what these brookies are eating but whatever it is I hope it remains in that stream.
Alan, its the expected January thaw. It happens very frequently and its almost always the third week of Jan. Years ago we would go up to Pt Jude and go out on the party boat to fish for cod, off Block Island at this time of year. On a calm day the ground swells were enormous.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John the "thaw" is welcomed, and as New Englanders we realize it's usually short lived.
Party boat fishing for cod is something I never did, but cod is a favorite fish of mine table wise.
You always make is interesting Alan. Hats off to you for being able to do that.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard the places I fish make it interesting....all I have to do is not fall in.