Opening Day 2018

Yesterday was the opening of "trout" season in Connecticut. And a few really dedicated fly fishers hooked up again to a tradition started years ago. We chose a stream where we were to be free from the crowds, there were no "white buckets", worm containers, or "Bud Light" cans....just the natural world. Mark and I fished a section of stream named the "Family Secret"...the weather was gorgeous, bugs about but the fish were not active. It took some time before I hooked a fish, a fallfish, a native silver rocket. Man can they battle.

I moved downstream to a set of riffles that flow into a pool with a over hanging hemlock, "Pete's Hemlock"...and I would like to say that I caught a trout there but it actually was taken in the riffle just above the hemlock.

My first jewel of the day. Strong and vibrant he took a rather large fly on the surface.

The opening day crew. Pete, Mark, Matt, and myself. We enjoyed coffee and muffins, thanks to Mark. Food tastes so good near a stream.

We then moved to another little stream and continued to fish. I stayed with that rather large fly and coaxed another brookie from a likely spot.

A Connecticut Native...healthy and well fed.

We sort of got separated while fishing and when I returned to the car I noticed that Pete and Mark's vehicles were gone. A note on my windshield said I was going to fish up to the "ledges", signed by Mark. I guess Pete had gone home. I was planning on leaving so I said so long, I hope they heard me. As I was packing my gear away a fellow drove alongside and asked about the fishing. I replied that it was wonderful. We talked for a spell and he was gracious and told me of a place where I might find a few brookies. I was going home but given the info this nice man gave me I just had to check it out. I found the dirt road he told me of and noticed a gate that was opened. The sign said no trespassing. I parked just inside the gate and walked along the dirt road. I then heard the sound of a very heavy truck, I looked up the hill and there was a large dump truck heading my way. He was upon me and stopped. He said "hi", have a nice day and drove off. Well no fuss so I moved on. I saw the brook the man told me about and gazing into it I saw some very impressive brook trout. No flies were cast, but I'll be back.

Oh that large dry fly...a "Hornberg"....Thanks guys for a great start to a new season.