Since the options for small streams has dwindled, reason is because the state closes most of them for about a 6 week period, I guess there is good reason. That being the case the streams open present good fishing when several things come together, one being weather and one being weather again. On this day the weather ran the table. There was snow, damp feeling air, brilliant sunshine and a neck full of melting snow compliments of the trees. The section of stream chosen to fish is not ideal from an anglers point, it contains some nasty briers and thorns. There are places where access is tough but can be done with careful movement.
What I love about winter fishing is the clarity of the water. You can gaze into the stream and it looks like there is no water, without movement it seems as if it is not there.
Early on I fished this run, in the past I have taken tiger trout here, several times in fact. I worked it from head to tail and found what I was looking for.
Not a tiger but one half of one. This wild brown was as spunky as can be...handsome too.
On cold days trout will be found in slow moving water, hunkering down near the bottom. This is true for the most part but not always.
This brown was located at the end of the broken water. Just as the fly was swept up towards the surface by the current he struck.
No tigers today, but two awesome wild browns from the "outback"
Very nicely done Alan! I've not seen many fish in that section the last couple of times I've fished it except for a group of good sized fall fish in one of the larger pools
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark it is not what it was a few years ago. The trout are there but in lesser numbers which is probably due to drought conditions of '15, '16....but I still have hopes of finding another tiger back there.
The clarity of clean water like that is makes the water almost invisible. A lovely little beck. Excellent and a lovely spider too. John
ReplyDeletePS The sun is actually shining here today so I can see and hear Uncle sam's finest ripping up the sky.
The Two Terriers
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John that "beck" has been a friend to me for years.
I'm glad the sun is shining on you. The snow will drop on me come mid week.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe second image is beautiful, worth displaying on some ones den wall---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I love that run.
Good looking browns and some nice water... well done Alan...
ReplyDeleteDoug Korn Fly Tyer
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Doug I agree with the exception, it's hell back there.
Great looking brownies. I noticed that they have orange spots which is the same as a couple of little Jersey streams that I frequent. Any theory on why orange as opposed to red? I have always suspected the strain of brown trout (German or English) or the diet but do not know for certain.
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
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Pat I posed that same question to CT's DEEP many years ago. There response was similar to your thought, ancestry, German, Scottish or a mix. The orange is so bright.
Hi Alan, Speaking of fallfish, I caught many of them in the Poconos. They could not resist a dry fly. I would carry a jar of alcohol and rinse the dry fly (remove the slime) before going back to trout fishing with a floating fly.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John fallfish can be very exciting on a 3wt. In some waters they can become quite large. And yes they are a slime factory.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe second brown has gorgeous red spots!! Good Job!
TROUT1
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Pete it was colored brightly.
More snow on the way.
Hi Alan - it was your reference to ‘fine blue lines’ that had me begin looking more closely at my local headwaters. Then a few words and lines coalecesed in my brain
ReplyDeleteFine Blue Line.
Takes away my troubles, smooths away my pain
When I'm on the that fine blue line again
No other thoughts, a singular mind
And in that water my peace I find
The only traffic, a hatch of flies
Swirling over the fluid lies, of
spotted assassins with gold rimmed eyes
Waiting patiently.
An imposter cast amongst the many
Different, the same, yet not quite any
A flick of fins begins the rise
Measuring the interception
Perfectly timed piscean perfection, to
Silk and feather on a tempered bend
Will it spell the end, of my spotted friend?
A take, a fight, a picture, she's mine
I return my prize to the fine blue line.
Grannom
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What wonderful words you have put together. Is this your first published work?
And may permission be given to those who would like to use your work in other blogs?
Just beautiful. The stream, the trout, and Grannom's words about fishing. So true. It just dawned on me now that tonight while fishing after work, I wasn't thinking about anything but catching trout. It didn't matter if I did or didn't catch any. Nothing else was on my mind which is the true gift of fly fishing.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam you speak of several reasons we spend time on moving waters. And in the minds of many of us catching a trout may be the reason we fish, but looking closely it's far from the true reason we do it.
Hello Alan, good dialogue and well said, here in my area we are beginning the autumn arrival, but it is very cold particularly for March already, also the waters are very clear in the streams and that makes good fishing. a hug.
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando autumn here is a beautiful time of year. It gives us time to enjoy the natural world before winter wreaks havoc. I for one am happy that spring will soon make itself felt.
That water sure is beautiful dressed in snow and hats off for a successful day when most don't go out.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard winter can offer us much in the way of beauty. But it's so long in leaving. Change is good.