Mini-streaming...fishing those small creeks and tiny flows that we see and then ask are there trout in there. Well maybe they just might be. This is one such mini stream I fished for awhile this week. It feeds a a small stream and has a decent flow all year. I've poked around it at times through out the year and have spooked brookies. This day I found many pools that were quite full with water from the ample rains we have fortunate to experience. This is what just might bring up a larger brookie from the main stream. So armed with some bombers I set off to see what I could find.
Dark pools such as these are usually good places to drift the bomber. Anybody home?
No there wasn't...but there was someone home in the plunge pool just above the dark spot.
Trillium. This beautiful flower lined the banks of the stream. It blooms for just a short while in the spring.
You have heard of a "Venus Fly Trap" well look at that jumble of wood and roots...a bomber fly trap.
It's places like such that hold these wild jewels. Mini-streaming is a great change of pace. I don't do it all the time but when I do I always ask myself why not.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeletePlease pass on some of your 'ample rain' to the other side of the pond, we are desperate!
Those trilliums are beautiful, we had some in one our former homes before the kids came along and they were always one of the highlights of spring.
I am hoping to get a trip out to our new water before I go back to work next week - I may take some bombers along with me.
Thanks
Alistair
Alistair
DeleteThanks
We have been blessed with a good amount of rain. They say so far this month it's been 2.2 inches above normal. I'll see if I can send some clouds your way. I just wish the Trillium would bloom longer.
Fish a few bombers Alistair and maybe a large...
It's always cool to see how small you can go. That my friend is pretty small! Amazing creatures! Great job finding a fly LARGE enough for them to take... :-)
ReplyDeleteJJ
Beaverdam
DeleteThanks
Rowan and I were just talking about these little waters and how much enjoyment you can get from fishing them.
A large dry especially the bomber is easy to see to both fish and man. You only get one shot at these brookies so make sure you bring enough bombers because the everything else likes them to, I think you know what I mean.
Very nice outing Alan! Not overlooking the tiniest of water brought rewards!
ReplyDeleteMarkW
DeleteThanks
Mark those streams will hold a few fish now that the water is higher. As long as we keep getting decent rain those streams will fish OK.
The dark pool looks like it's under a bridge. Under a bridge is always good.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
Mark you are right. But this time the fish was in that plunge pool above the bridge...they keep me guessing.
Simply amazing to me where you find brook trout, Alan. Until I started following your blog site, I never imagined brook trout would live in some of the places you catch them.
ReplyDeleteSam
DeleteThanks
Sam I remember several years ago I got an email from a fellow who told me he stopped at a culvert that had a very tiny stream flowing under a road. That road was near a good sized city. Looking into that stream he saw brook trout. I checked it out and got a lot of funny looks as well as a close encounter with a Chevy.
Following you and RM has proven to me that brook trout find a way if given half a chance. All this rain we are getting sure is doing them good, that is for sure, Alan.
DeleteSam, this rain will raise the stream levels. That will move the fish to all areas of the stream, and the bigger ones will feed. Be on the stream a day after the rain stops and you'll have a banner day.
DeleteI love seeing the Trillium and the Ferns and the greening of spring. We woke up to fresh snow.
ReplyDeletemike
DeleteThanks
Oh my..snow. Just to taste those fiddleheads. Mike it's nearly May.
Enjoy those little Jems while they have water, makes some exciting fishing while it lasts. Nice outing Alan. On a side note I'm taking your bombers and picket pin flies to northern pa. Next week. Your inspiration has me excited to try them on some blue lines we found deer hunting last year.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
DeleteThanks
Brad hunting is a great way to find these streams. In times of full green foliage a lot of them will never be seen. Your arming yourself with two effective flies. Good luck.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful piece - great pix and great writing. If you haven't already done this on previous blogs before I started following you, I'd love it if you'd share some of your fishing techniques: How stealthy you need to be? How closely do you approach a possible lie? Do you try to hide behind trees/bushes, crouch down? When do you use an upstream presentation? Downstream? These topics could informative for newcomers to small stream fishing, as well as some of us old duffers. In my case, I think I plan to work at being more stealthy this year.
I'm planning to hit some of the rills in W. Mass this week, because even my usual small streams are likely to be high.
Thanks again for all you do,
John
John Strucker
DeleteThanks
John when fishing these streams stealth is important. Using what's available for cover is a good thing to keep in mind. I fish a downstream presentation 95% of the time.
Walk slowly and as quietly as possible when you approach a pool or run that you are going to fish. Dull clothing or camo also helps.
Check these video clips of me on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDs1UeQPpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvREQQ-ze70
Thanks, Alan. I look forward to looking at the videos. I'm one old dog who's always glad to learn new tricks. And, congratulations on the big fella you landed the other day!
DeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteThe Bomber is a great search fly when wanting to find that elusive brookie. Love the Trillium image---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill your are correct on your thoughts on the bomber. It is one of those flies that say eat me. Highly visible to both trout an angler.