Woods walking and fishing in southeast Connecticut yesterday morning and really enjoying it all. The stream was in perfect shape. A sweet flow and a cool water temp made for an a great start. I started fishing my usual favorites places which are riffles, those places in a stream where you never know what you'll find. Observing no surface activity I started fishing a couple of various soft-hackles. I soon had my first hook-up of the day, a leaping silver arrow, a fallfish about 6". A few more bumps on the soft-hackle, and a fly change.
I tied on a Picket Pin and began working it through a riffled-pool. The fly completed it's swing and sort of hung in the current. I twitched the rod and began to retrieve. I felt a strong take and a solid hook-up. The fight was on. The fish was strong and heavy, I knew it was big. He ran and he switched sides. He rolled several times and showed himself. I finally got the upper hand and as he lie on his side in the water I knew he was one of the biggest brook trout I had taken this year. I slid him onto my hand and admired him as I took the photo. Placed back into the stream he soon was back in the place where I hooked him.
Truly a fish that does not come often. Bright and spunky, a true wild jewel.
An odd looking fly...several minutes later just a whisker away from my first brookie I was greeted by another large fish. This one was even bigger. I had him at hand, perhaps 14 or 15" of muscle. I attempted to turn him over when he made a run. Again I was able to get control only to loose him. Looking at the fly I saw why. It has been a long time since I had a hook bent like this.
While fishing I saw some movement in the woods. Focusing I saw what was an angler. The angler turned out to be Rowan...we talked for a while and then continued fishing..pleasant surprise.
The only fish on the dry. A pretty brookie on a yellow wing bomber.
Every time I fish this stream I make it a point to stop at a little country market and buy a cup of their blend of coffee. I think it's one of the best in Connecticut.
Lovely stream and fish Alan. That rod's not too shabby either! I'm hoping to get out this week.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill the Cane and Silk bamboo was up for the task. A nice rod for small streams. Fingers crossed you'll get out.
That big one was awesome. Would have liked to see the bigger one. I like to compare wild to the Stockers we used to catch in Red Lake. Too bad Red Lake is no more. Contaminated with green algae.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I'll have a few more shots at him in the future. It's not a very good comparison stockers vs. wild. Stockers do fill a need though.
I guess I should have defined "compare" a little better. I was actually referring to the coloration of wild to stock. Other than that, no comparison.
DeleteWhat a beautiful brookie! Were you able to tell if the 14-15 inch trout was a brookie also?
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
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Pat the other fish was also a brookie. It has been a long time since I've caught a brown in there.
Wow!
DeleteHi Alan,
ReplyDeleteWow..... I had to do a double take! Your river is the spitting image of my home water on the little River Leven.
Even bigger wow on the size of that brookie, hats off to you!
It is 'Mayfly Time' down here in Yorkshire and we have been having a ball with the trout chasing down our largest upwing (and our various imitations of it!). There has been some enormous hatches of mayfly reported by club members this season and good numbers of fish taken too - including a monster of well over 2lbs. Hopefully I will get one more trip out before 'Duffers Fortnight' comes to an end for 2019.
Alistair
Alistair
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It's nice to know your stream is so much like mine. I have seen some beautiful streams in both the UK and Ireland that have a likeness to ours.
I'm sure you'll take advantage of the Mayfly Time, as you should. Two pound trout will test the angler for sure.
Great pattern and very nice Brookie! Well done all around.
ReplyDeleteRalphsFlyBox
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Ralph I take it your familiar with the Picket Pin?
It's a pretty good all around pattern.
Good times. I'm content to catch most anything, but bent rods and hooks are what it's all about for me. I'll wager you'll revisit soon. I'd appreciate insight into what the bent fly is & its materials. Cheers Alan!
ReplyDeleteMatthew Harding
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Matt back again soon, so right.
The fly is a Picket Pin. This one is tied on a 12 hook, the tail is brown squirrel as is the wing. The body is peacock herl and so is the head. The fly is also tied with gray squirrel which is very common. I tie them in size 14 down to #10.
Alan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful brook trout, I have a feeling you will be back after the hook bender. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill you can bet on my return. It's a beautiful stream.
Brook trout are so beautiful, I can't help but be amazed at the colors each time I catch one. While keeping them in the net as if in a little cage for a while, I admire them. A picture, most especially in the fall, does not do the colors justice. Sometimes they seem like they are glowing if the sun hits them just right.
ReplyDeleteSam
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Sam they are unique in many ways, and their color cannot be duplicated, simply amazing. When lifted from the water the eye is hit with a kaleidoscope of color. The fall just seems to enhance those colors.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteYou are making us melt with this last posting! How incredibly beautiful your slice of heaven (some will call it Connecticut) is and how charmed and blessed you are to be able to roam (wander) over it. How crazy close you were to bringing to hand your personal best Brookie! How exciting that is! We applaud you for the progress you made up to that point! Perhaps he/she can be fooled again later on this season!
Please keep these wonderful postings coming our way Alan! They are indeed our morning cup of coffee and the thoughts and images stay with us (well, at least with me!) all day long!
Please keep a-wandering and photographing,
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug I am blessed indeed, and thanks is given each and every day for the opportunity. I was very close to bring that jewel to hand. I hope our paths cross again.
Awesome Brookie! Nice post.
ReplyDeleteFeather Chucker
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He was one of my best this year.