March is about the toughest month for small stream angling, at least for me. I can fish a section of stream that has produced for me in the past and I won't even get a bump. It does not matter what I'll fish for it seems most everything will be rejected. I guess the transition is felt more by the trout I seek than the way I feel at the time I'm on the stream. I fished a few days where it was gorgeous, warm and sunny with perfect stream flows. I saw a few bugs about but not a taker.
I move about enjoying all that I'm offered by the beautiful surroundings. Have you noticed a different sound to the birds, encouraging indeed. This stretch of stream has yielded some beauties for me like.....
....this handsome wild brown.
Trout above and trout below. This antiquated dam from years past keeps the stream divided. These useless relics must go.
The section above the dam was very nice. I gazed into one pool and saw several small brook trout just sitting almost motionless. I cast fly and let it drift. In a moment I saw the line hesitate.
Here is one brookie that was hungry. So for a March day I'm satisfied.
Well done Alan! March can be a challenge for sure, between the cooling effect of snow melt and months of clinging to life, March must be tough on the fish.
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark snow melt is a big issue. Not only does it cool the water it also make it very cloudy, off color. I think a few warm days and stable temps at night, above 33 and it should improve.
Amen! on the removal of dams. New England streams are littered with these ancient barricades whose time has long since past. Glad you had fun, Alan, the pics are beautiful as always.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike you are correct on these dams. It seem that every little stream was dammed at one time. Removal of even the simplest of dams is quite an undertaking. But they must go.
Looks mighty chilly to me.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark the day was actually quite nice compare to those cold nasty ones we have experienced.
well done Alan I only wish I could get out with the rod, lovely write up & pictures as normal. Regards George
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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George what does Nike say..."just do it"
Hard times for much of nature in March. Thanks for the great photos.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill that transition is not an easy one. Yesterday I saw insects about and in decent numbers. Not a single rise.
Nice pics Alan. Glad you could get out.
ReplyDeleteWeather's been rough down here. 50-70 mph winds today. My normally 25 cu ft river has been over 150 the last few days.
bill piatek
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Bill high flows along with high winds not a good combination for a fly fisher.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThose old dams are such a hinderance to our small stream trout, as well as silting up the water course. There are a few streams near me that have had their old mill pool dams removed by the Environment Agency (Roxby Beck at Dale House and Skelton Beck at Saltburn for those that may be interested) in order to aid the passage of migrating trout (and the odd salmon!).
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Alistair
Alistair Corbishley
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Alistair when these dams are removed the silt and contaminants that have settled behind them really create problems. Free the streams and many fish species will benefit.
Alan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful winter stream along with some colorful brookies; just wondering if you was using the new bamboo? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I love those picturesque winter streams. Now I'm ready for some Trillium and Daffodils.
I have not used the bamboo rod. I need some warmer weather.
March is a tough month for me and my waters as well. Something about that season transition.
ReplyDeleteTom Davis
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Tom I can't figure it out. The last days of Feb were just fine, come March 1st and it's lockjaw....