Thursday, March 22, 2018

My Little "Pocono Stream"

A precious little wild trout stream. This beautiful stream flows through the forest of eastern Pennsylvania in an area known as the Pocono's. I have fished this stream many times and each time I had the feeling that it was my first time. The trout both brook and brown are as wild as can be. Their beauty, stamina and tenacity for life can not be overstated. This stream will never produce a monster trout, but instead will yield you a six inch masterpiece of color. There will never be banner catches of ten or twelve trout, but more like three or four. As I wandered the banks of this stream there was a strong sense of belonging. A strong sense of peace that one gets from the solitude found only in a small stream environment. This stream holds a special place in my mind. So special that I chose it for the cover photo of my book.

Come late April or May I again will visit my friend.


Chestnut and Starling....this fly, in it's simplicity will bring a trout to hand in my little Pocono stream.


"Sulphurs"...a clean, crisp profile. It to is simply tied, the brown trout in the pools of my Pocono stream will rise to it whenever it drifts so lightly upon it's evening waters.






32 comments:

  1. Alan - It's nice to see some green this morning! thank you

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    1. Mark Wittman
      Thanks
      Mark I think that episode yesterday was the last of the year. We have earned some green.

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  2. I lived outside Philly, for a while Alan and spent many happy hours fishing the Poconos. I subscribed to PA Angler magazine and Chancey K. Lively ran a wonderful monthly article on fly tying. I wrote him once and he responded in the most beautiful hand (look like calligraphy). Unfortunately the letter got lost in one of our moves.

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    1. John Dornik
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      John the Pocono's are a fly fishers paradise. Countless small streams, large well known rivers, some of the best pickerel ponds in the east, and solitude if that's what you like. I admire fine penmanship, don't know if it's part of today's curriculum.

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  3. Alan - You are in my territory! Great looking stream and flies to use.

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    1. NJpatbee
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      Pat I'm sure your familiar with this stream, I would say it's close to your backyard.
      Beautiful area.

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  4. Replies
    1. spike
      Thanks
      It's flowing in an awesome area.

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  5. Your blog is just simply wonderful. I draw such inspiration and warmth in sharing your small stream experiences. I am originally from New England and this blog is enough to make me consider a move back. Tight lines and best wishes

    Seth

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    1. seth campbell
      thanks
      Seth small streams are an inspiration to me as well as many of the followers of SSR's. So I'm happy to pass along some of my outings to make all see what an experience small stream fishing is.
      Move on back, we would love to have you.

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  6. Replies
    1. gerry
      Thanks
      Gerry it's something I put together several years ago. It's name is "Thin Blue Lines"..."A flyfishers passion for small streams and wild trout"...never made NY Times top ten but it's still a good read.

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  7. Alan
    That little stream is a beauty. Hopefully we will see our own streams greening up soon!

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete in my morning walks I have noticed some greening taking place, daffodils pushing up and Robins actually getting worms in the soft soil. It won't be long.

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  8. What a beautiful small stream, Alan. I can see why you love it. I'll be darned, I didn't know you had a book published. I will look for it.

    Those flies are beauties. I especially like the Catskill style sulfurs. Beautifully tied.

    Best,
    Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam a piece of heaven in the mountains of PA.
      The book was self published, and I sold them myself. I have a few here but I don't think you'll be able to find one about.
      Once in awhile I get the urge to tie, or should I say try to tie a few Catskill style flies.

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  9. Indeed a piece of heaven. I think all the streams you fish are.

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  10. All the small streams that I fish locally haven't been stocked since the early 1960's, so all the brown and rainbow trout are wild. While all trout are precious, their wildness makes them more so.
    Might it be possible for me to buy a copy of your book?
    Thanks again for letting us join you on the stream.
    Kindest Regards,
    Steve.

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    1. Steve Hynes
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      Steve several of the streams I fish are much like yours. The state stopped stocking them years ago. Low and behold they are doing fine. A small wild trout is tops in my opinion.
      The book is no longer available. I have a few left and may feature one in a give away in the future.

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  11. As always an absolute pleasure to see the streams, the flies and to use them to trigger my imagination. How do I purchase a copy of your book from the UK?
    Best wishes, John

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    1. The Two Terriers
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      John, I have a few magazines and books that I read and reread. Each time a page is turned and an article read a new inspiration gives birth.

      With such renewed interest in "Thin Blue Lines" perhaps I should consider having it republished.

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  12. When one watches the National News, you get the idea that the Eastern Seaboard is buried waist deep in snow. It's always good to see your streams clear. Weather Guessers, Bah Humbug.

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    1. Mark Kautz
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      Mark most places got a hell of a lot of snow. Thankfully its melting. That stream is actually in PA. The photo was taken many years ago.

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  13. Alan, very nice indeed mate, well done again

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  14. Alan, every time you post one of your beautiful streams I fall in love. Thanks!

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    1. Howard Levett
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      Love is a beautiful thing Howard.

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  15. Alan
    Gorgeous stream image!! Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill the Pocono's are a treasure.

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