This has been a bountiful spring here in Connecticut. In terms of rainfall and brook trout I can't remember a better year. I was out poking around a stream on Saturday and found some willing fish. My thoughts were to fish dry flies, which I did but were not taken the way I thought they would. Another lesson learned in brook trout forest. As you can see from the picture the stream was clear and bright. The flow was perfect with water from bank to bank. It's funny that with so much water and so many places to swim the brookies still like their familiar places to hang out.
One of many dry flies I used this day. Not a one brought a fish to hand.
This handsome fellow is Mr. Fontinalis....look carefully at him and compare to Mrs. Fontinalis below.
These days are what "real fishing" is all about.
Meet Mrs. Fontinalis....so beautiful and a perfect match to Mr. Fontinalis.
Such a beautiful little stream. You've got some serious foliage going on down there; we've still got snow in the woods. Can't wait until we start to green up, too. You didn't mention what fly Mr. & Mrs. fell for...
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike green is much nicer this time of year than white. The flies that worked were the Picket Pin and a few soft hackles.
simply wonderful Alan!
ReplyDeleteMarkW
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Mark Saturday was a perfect day.
Seems he is more colorful as is the way of the animal world.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark the males usually are. It's the fall when their true colors come forth.
That was an absolutely perfect day of fishing, and such a beautiful stream with real gems swimming in it. I'm glad we ended up meeting you out there.
ReplyDeletegios
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Saturday was about as nice as one can ask for. That stream is one of CT's finest.
I enjoyed meeting and talking with you.
Alan - I can see a difference in the mouths of the two brookies but that is about it. In the Fall the coloration is obvious on the males. The stream and the trout both look in great shape - thanks for the pics!
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
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Pat the mouths-head are dead givaways on identification. Come fall there are other very obvious signs. Streams are really outstanding this spring.
beautiful place in that stream, beautiful autumn trout, beautiful colorful.
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando that pair was impressive with their colors. Springtime and fall colors.
Awesome shot of that water, Alan. I've seen few on par with that. We're having much the same spring over here in Michigan though it has been a little slow coming on - maybe that's why it has been so nice.
ReplyDeletespike
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It was sparkling that day. These days are to be enjoyed after winters beating.
Alan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stream; I wonder how many brook trout were taken for meal back in the pioneer days? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I would expect countless numbers. Fish were an important food source for the colonists.
Alan, I salute your ability to catch these beauties out of the small streams you fish. I tried the Scantic River in Hampden tonight and felt like I was spooking the trout most every move. I know trout are in there being I saw a few hunkered down. I will need to work on my small stream skills to connect with trout this year. Right now those skills are a zero.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Sam
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First of all it's great that you were able to get out on the Scantic. Spooking trout is a common thing for me, and that's part of small stream fishing. I hope you have a shot to fish this weekend, it's supposed to be a nice one.