There is something special walking through a forest just after a fresh snowfall. The air is still and clean. The sounds of nature are enhanced and even a slight breeze can be heard. Such a day was yesterday and I was fortunate to be the one doing the walk. It is a must to use much more caution at times like this, the possibility of slipping is greater so a guy like me who walks slow to begin with finds a new slower pace. Walking slow also lets you observe more of your surroundings.
Fishing on winter days can run from fair to lousy, and to try and figure it out will drive one crazy. Normally I just stay with a few flies and hope the day I chose to fish will be on the fair side.
The usual trout holding areas produced some activity in the form of strikes. But the hookups were very few.
I found several of these little guys about but the trout were not to excited about them.
It was now about four hours into my outing and I had not had one fish to hand. This is what winter fly fishing is and I knew that going in. I was still a great day to be near a trout stream and to be able to fish for my beloved brook trout. There is a soft spot near the large boulder. The wet fly swirled in the current and was swept under water and pulled down. I lifted the rod tip up and felt some weight. As gained control I knew I had a fish on.
A just reward...a wild jewel.....all is well here.
Morning coffee and a new post. Simple pleasures. Our cold and snow has abated. Tomorrow I'll see if the river is open.
ReplyDeletebill piatek
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Bill those simple pleasures sure mean a lot.
If you fish let us know.
Had a pleasant day on the river today. Nice temps and flows. Tenkara was the method of choice. Even fish to make it perfect.
DeleteSnow just makes everything quiet, even a little dusting like you had. I do hope and knowing you as I do, I'm sure you use your wading pole as a "third" leg. Helps keep you from slipping. Always a concern for us Geezers.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark sometimes I'll take the walking staff but most times I'll use one that I find. That third leg is important.
Alan, fresh snow on a still day is the sound of silence to me. Excellent. We've only had three frosts so far but it is just above freezing now nonetheless I hope to be put after perch at the weekend. A lovely post, thank you. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteAnonymous
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John what a great song.
Weather here has been cold but not bitter. Today it got into the mid-forties. Lovely fish those perch.
Well done Alan! Time to break out the small black soft hackles!
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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You are so right "small black soft-hackles".
Looks like the cold is going to make itself felt this weekend.
Beautiful fish and surroundings, you are blessed. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMichael Capurso
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Mike I am and I thank God for it.
Nice to see someone fishing Alan, I've not been out in weeks, well done & Happy new Year albeit a few days late :)
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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George 2 weeks, man I could not deal with that.
Happy New Year mate.
More like 4 weeks for me but cant complain, enjoyed a lovely 19 day cruise to India & the UAE.
DeleteI am glad you are still fishing and connecting, Alan. If I connect with just one this time of year that is enough to keep me going for a while.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam I'm so content with a fish to hand. And if the day gave me no fish I would still love the fact that I had the chance to be out trying.
Going to get cold buddy.
Too cold for my tastes to fish this weekend, Alan. A good weekend to tie up a few flies and think of warm spring days. Ken Elmer posted a good saying, something to the effect January is the month of despair and February is the month of hope when the sap starts flowing and the truck heads south.
DeleteYou could use some more snow, and I'll be more than happy to share with you. I never had any luck with those little black stones until I went to a tiny black thread and starling soft hackle. But it's still a crap shoot with them.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike thank you for the snow offer, but a dusting is ample.
I will give some size 16's a try next time out. It's about to get cold in the next days so time on the stream will be limited.
Glad to see some little stones are active! Those guys don't boat the rapids to hatch or egg lay, the nymphs just crawl up the banks to emerge. A little black gnat wetfly crawling along the bottom has done me well when those are out and about.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan they are odd little guys. My experience with those winter stones is that the trout don't seem to like the adults, but prefer the nymph. Last year I saw very few of these.
Beautiful post on several levels.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill a lot of work for one brookie, but I don't mind.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe snow brings out another special feature about all the streams you fish there. Landing trout in the dead of winter takes skill and knowledge and once again you've proved you process both! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill while skill and knowledge are required it still takes a healthy dose of luck to take a fish in the winter.
Thanks for sharing your outing and beautiful fish! I’ve been waiting for a decent day, but your post has inspired me to be less selective and get onto a stream and enjoy the winter trout fishing experience.
ReplyDeleteRivermol
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I love those rare winter days that you can label nice. But as you know they are not common. So pick out what day is best and go for it.