September's closing. Yesterday I was up and out of the door by 6, a crisp Autumn morning. As I drove to the stream drinking my first cup of coffee and violating one of my steadfast rules. That rule is to never start fishing for brook trout until 8:30 in the morning. I have found it to be that brookies don't actually bite until that time. Well I was streamside long before that. After gearing up I chose to drive a short distance to a small store and get my second cup of coffee heck I had the time. Driving back to the stream I had plans of fishing mostly dry flies and maybe a soft-hackle or two. The fly I had already tied on was a bomber so I figured that was a good fly to start with.
I finished my coffee and saw it was near 8, close enough. I walked to the first place I was to fish...it was beautiful.
All sorts of sweet places to drift a fly. Not one response. I fished a couple of dry flies, and switched to wets with no one offering. It was almost 9 and and still not a fish had offered. I came upon a deep pool, it had some pretty violent water spilling over some big boulders and it did not look like a small stream. Years of fishing in places like Maine where pools like these are common made me reach into the streamer section of my box. I plucked out a white marabou streamer called a Montreal ..... I tied it on and cast into the deep swirling water. The fly did what the current allowed, together the produced a solid rip at the streamer. A second cast was made and this time I had a hookup. The brookie went to the bottom and tried to put me in a bad place, I managed to change his mind.
I had not intended on taking this photo, it occurred by accident as I was trying to bring the fish to a quieter spot...it came out pretty cool though.
A better picture of the brookie before it was released. I fished that streamer for awhile and never caught another fish...I had numerous hits until I snagged it on the bottom and lost it. It by the way was the only streamer in the streamer section. Note to myself, put a few more in the streamer section.
I continued to fish for several more hours. The brookies finally came to their senses and started taking dry flies.
It was good to close the door on September...today I hear October knocking.
Another day in Alan's paradise. Thanks, buddy, for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill my paradise indeed....I was out this morning checking a little gem I fish and Wow!
William took the words from me. Fall colors, brookies and Alan's world. :)
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph the fall colors are getting better. A couple of weeks and it will be near peak.
Can't think of a better way to end September.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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I agree buddy. Now Jeanette says we have to get a pumpkin.
Lovely fish as always Alan in beautiful surroundings.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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George it's the environs where trout our found that are as much a part of this passion we have.
That brook looks in top shape Alan. There's a lot of debris along the banks of the Hammo, at the recent high water mark (mostly twigs). Your brook looks gin clear. The Hammo is, even with all the rain, still running a strong Tannic, tea-like color. There are also many trees and branches, that have washed in.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John the Hammo, I think I've only fished that river a half dozen times in my life. I can't tell you why, for it's a nice river. I have fished the lower section under the 95 bridge for searun browns, and even had a solid fish take a streamer one day in March.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteSounds like an eventful trip......
That stream looks so inviting and the Brookies are colouring up nicely. I hate it when you find a fly that works only to lose it part way through the day and then you realise that you have no replacement!
Alistair
Alistair Corbishley
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Alistair we are coming into that season when the brookies compete for the most colorful looks. The foliage is quite the competitor.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteAll I can do is smile.
Kurt
Brookie61
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Kurt such a beautiful day...many more to come I hope.
That is a great looking stream, Alan. It sure is flowing nicely too. It looks like a great Fall fishing season is in our futures.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam that stream is as good as if ever was in the many years I have been fishing it.
As far as a great fall fishing experience I can tell you I'm super excited about it.
Alan
ReplyDeleteAnother great post that makes us all feel we were there with you!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I love it when I can put you on the stream I'm exploring.
We've all probably read or heard that trout dont live in ugly places. Your words and photos prove that.
ReplyDeleteThose brookies are truly beautiful.
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve Hynes
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Steve that is an old saying and it's so very true.
Hopefully this will work after grizzly and irritable emails to Google and Sue's hard work. Anyway a lovely post Alan, those woods and streams are treat. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteJohn Richardson
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John I have had my issues with google and blogger. I have not much knowledge with these machines that bring us close so I'm happy things have been going good.
I'm glad you were able to get your issues ironed out.