Wednesday, April 25, 2018

"It's Good To Be Back Home Again"

I went back home yesterday and I was welcomed by my friends with open arms. A sweet feeling that I've missed for some time. My last time home was sometime last fall, for this stream puts on a spectacular show before winter sets in. The signs of spring were very much evident. Along with the skunk cabbage and trout lillies a positive sign of spring showed itself twice during my time there, the water snake, lying in the dry leaves along the stream. A step to close and they hit the water with blinding speed.





This run is a favorite of mine. It has pretty much remained the same as it was the first time I fished here many years ago. It was here one day in late October, a very large leaf jam occurred at the tail of the run. I had been fishing a Yellow Hammer and the fly drifted just under the leaves. An explosion took place and soon a brightly colored brookie was at hand. Each time I visit this run I tie on the Yellow Hammer and hope for a take. I would love to tell you I take a brookie each time, but that's not the case.....today it was different.


I was rewarded with not one but two takers. The "Hammer" still has it.


The "Yellow Hammer" if you research this fly you'll find several different recipes on how to tie it. I think everyone will work. The pattern is well known and used in the southern Appalachians.






It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed my return home.

















31 comments:

  1. Simply stunning photography.

    Reminds me. Maybe I should clean my camera lens. Hmmm.

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    Replies
    1. jack welling
      Thanks
      Jack cleaning the lens does slip my mind, more times then I'd like to admit. I realize it when I upload the photos to the PC and my wife says "why does that fish have so many eyes"....

      Delete
  2. Morning Alan. Well, morning in California. It seems that Brookies like yellow for some reason. Biggest one I've taken was on a yellow Panther Martin. It was, as I recall, 16" or 18".

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    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark first off they do "love" yellow, and a brook trout that size is a trophy.
      The Panther Martin is favored by many who seek brookies.

      Delete
  3. Beautiful post Alan, don't even begrudge the heron.

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    Replies
    1. bill piatek
      Thanks
      Bill I never mind it when a guy wants to eat a fish. The heron is a natural part of the brook trouts world.
      "Great fisherman they are"...

      Delete
  4. Alan,
    Another outstanding photo essay this time of your "home waters" and I dearly love this! The water is so gorgeous, so clear but yet trouty looking! I am so glad that you are living in smack in the middle of this brook trout wonderland and thankful that you take us along on these adventures! You are truly "livin' the dream"!
    From an equally greening state,
    Doug

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    Replies
    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug when I wake up and when I go to sleep those streams are on my mind. They are not in the fore front but they are there.
      Love the greenery and looking forward to the fiddleheads.

      Delete
  5. Beauties all the way around; stream, flies and fish...

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    Replies
    1. Doug Korn
      Thanks
      I appreciate the comment Doug.

      Delete
  6. Alan, looks like you had another fisherman with you,a pretty nice sized at that. Beautiful place you call home. Be grateful it hasn't changed much. It's a treasure, thankyou .

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    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad that fisherman was studying me quite intently.
      The only changes have been natural ones, we can live with that.

      Delete
  7. Okay Alan, be honest...is that your fly decorating the tree limb?

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard tree decorating is often a side task when I fish...this one was recovered.

      Delete
  8. Marvellous post Alan, a joy to read and look at. I'm going make another coffee, enlarge the pictures and have a walk through them. John

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    Replies
    1. The Two Terriers
      Thanks
      Oh John by all means enjoy you coffee and the photos.
      My second cup is now at hand.

      Delete
  9. Sometimes the old brook seems like a long lost friend..(with apologies to John Denver)..great photos Brk Trt..

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    Replies
    1. penbayman
      Thanks
      Mike John and his music was a part of my growing days and I enjoy it still. "Almost heaven West Virginia"

      Delete
  10. Alan
    Just a beautiful post. Good stuff as always. I see you had the company of another angler. I Hope he did not catch his limit!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete that heron was eyeballing me. It did not fly away so I assume it was feeding pretty good.
      No catch and release with him.

      Delete
  11. Great to see you back home and enjoying your home waters. Lovely pics as always Alan and some stunning fish.

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    Replies
    1. George
      Thanks
      George such a nice feeling to fish on home waters. And it's good to know my friends are still in great shape.

      Delete
  12. Wonderful post as always Alan. What is your preference for your yellow hackle on your Hammers? Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. J Hayes
      Thanks
      I have used yellow hen that I touched up with black markers. Lately I'm using starling that I found that was dyed yellow. It's a vast improvement.

      Delete
  13. Uh Oh, that rascal of a blue heron is fishing that stream too. I hope it only has a taste for fall fish. Beautiful pictures, Alan. Spring is always welcome, but most especially this year.

    Best Regards, Sam

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    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam I don't often see them on that stream, I hope he was only stopping to take a short break before moving on to better feeding grounds.
      Last winter was especially rough, we now can enjoy a true New England spring.

      Delete
  14. Alan
    I see you was not the only one fishing; beautiful run you was fishing---thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill that heron probably had as good a day as I did.

      Delete
  15. what luck you have had and good fishing, the fly "Hammer" looks different when it is wet than when it is dry. Good pattern and beautiful heron

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    Replies
    1. Armando Milosevic
      Thanks
      Armando the yellow hammer did earn it's keep that day for sure.
      Those heron's a sharp birds, good fishermen.

      Delete