Frosty mornings where the air temp is hovering around 30 and the sun is starting to make itself a factor in the day is a time for some incredible photos. These winter berries with a hint of frost upon them make such a lovely sight as I walk to the stream. These days can be very erratic in the trouts feeding time. It also makes for a hit or miss decision on what they will eat. A rule of thumb is that winter food sources are scarce and usually small, perhaps a small nymph is the best choice. Over the years I have come to realize that small is not always the way to go, and bottom bouncing is not always the best method. I have been fooling around with spey type flies for trout and have had some success with them. These flies are tied on #8 salmon hooks and are on the large side. Wow you say, that's big, and that's true but so is a Mickey Finn tied on a #8 streamer hook and that is pretty common for a trout fishing fly.
Well on this day I fished one of these spey flies and it did it's magic. While fishing these flies so many trout came up from the bottom to wildly swipe at the fly. It surprised me how they liked the presentation. As the fly was swinging across they would hit it, and as the fly straightened out the trout would not touch it. I have seen this before, I just don't quite know why they do it.
I have a few of these fly patterns to share with you and will do so on my next post.
These brookies were not shy about crushing the large fly.
Not exactly a fly for framing, but a worker for sure. Simple construction, with a minimum of materials.
Last week we made some homemade sausage. Fried it and put it together with mashed potatoes, gravy and peas....so good.
Hey Alan,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to those Spey patterns. Could you post the materials also? I'd appreciate it. I used to tie them for Steelhead but I need to downsize for what's around here in NM. :-)
bill piatek
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Bill I will list the materials I use for he patterns I post. These flies work well on the brookies here.
Wonderful pictures Alan, look forward to the fly patterns though tis too many years since I cast a line.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wooldridge
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John perhaps you should pick up that rod again. I hope I can inspire you to do just that.
Funny enough Alan, thoughts of fishing have once more appeared in my mind of late...that and a return, after several years absence and an increase in weight of two and a half stone! to hill walking. Tis pictures and words of your blog that does indeed remind of the joy of 'getting out there' my friend.
DeleteI suddenly have a powerful craving for sausage, mashed potatoes, and peas.
ReplyDeleteBeaverdam
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Joe go for it. It's so comforting.
Beautiful photos of your winter fishing outing, Alan. I can't tell you how much I enjoy your site here. I like the fact you toss bigger flies once in a while. I do the same. Swift River where I mostly fish, I always heard that it was go small or go home. I catch my share on bigger flies which are more to my liking.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam those old sayings and tried and true methods have their place. But a change of pace and and tactics are worth it. There is nothing sweeter than catching a fish that took a "not appropriate at the time" fly.
I'll say, Alan. Nothing better than catching a trout on the unusual fly. The nice brown I caught Sunday evening right at dusk hit a #14 hare's ear. A good sized nymph, I wonder if trout don't think they are cray fish with the somewhat bushy tail on them. The hit was a no doubter, nothing subtle about it.
DeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteDelicious looking dish; amazing that size brook trout will nail a fly that size. How deep are you fishing the fly? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill brook trout will try to take anything they think might fit in their mouth. They are aggressive. The brook trout were taking the fly an inch or two under the surface. They were laying on the bottom but came up to take the streamer.
I love the feeling I get walking to a small stream on a frosty morning. Something special about a frosty morning.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan those frosty mornings are mind cleansers. The air is just cold enough to free your mind but not cold enough to worry about it.
That meal looks like a perfect way to warm yourself back up. Love that those brookies have such BIG appetites.
ReplyDeleteMichael Agneta
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Mike a meal like that is called for after doing battle with brookies for a couple of hours. Brookies are not shy about eating.
Little brook trout are like Jack Russel terriers ... they think they're the baddest thing around.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill that's a very good analogy. Temps warming a bit, maybe I'll give it a go today.
Alan
ReplyDelete‘Bangers & Mash’ with a rich gravy- what more do you need after a frosty winters day on those beautiful thin blue lines????
Thanks
Alistair
Alistair Corbishley
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Alistair I knew you would recognize the dish. Such a simple and tasty meal.