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| A free-flowing stream in eastern Connecticut |
Small streams, blue lining, rock hopping, knuckle busting, knee scraping, and frequent dips into the water. These are but a few examples of the adventures of a small stream angler. This angler who will seek out a four inch fish with a 300.00 fly rod when a 69.00 special will do. In his fly box are many flies, he knows this is unnecessary for his quarry really will take almost any fly. He moves along the stream often at eye level with it. Many times his eyes will focus upon a mink, a salamander or a hornet. With the sound of the tumbling of water he is still able to hear the sound of a brook trout rising to grab a grasshopper. This angler will find gourmet status eating a peanut butter sandwich, his table an elegant stone. Out here a cold drink of water seems finer than a French wine.
The small stream angler is not a special breed. This desire to be with nature in a pristine place lies in all of us, we need only to be there and experience it.
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| Wild jewel from that eastern Connecticut stream |
In the July/August issue of Eastern Fly Fishing is a wonderful feature on small streams. The section known as "Exposure"...well worth the price....Thanks to Davis Cannon, Dave Fason, Kevin Feenstra, Joe Janiak, Joe Klementovich, Henry Ramsay, and Connor Tapscott.
As it should be. Life is good.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark most times it is good and those times we must try to take advantage of it.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteYour post epitomises all that we love about those tiny blue lines (wherever they may be!).
I am hoping to get some time on a couple of teeny tiny blue lines myself in the next few weeks. It is our annual pilgrimage to the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish Borders and (weather permitting!) I will be on the Watch and Dye Waters as well as some larger rivers on the Whiteadder Water and (hopefully) the Tweed as well.
Thanks
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair there is not a single word to be used for these little waters, but we know what you mean.
I hope your pilgrimage is what you hope it to be, which is great. I came across some photos of your small streams and I would love to fish some...I would be right at home.
Pretty falls Allan. Gonna try Bombers, Pinkies etc. on a blue line tomorrow. Maybe even a round blue lake with caddis.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill I'd bet on success with any one of those flies.
Hope all works out for you.
Very well said Allan.
ReplyDeleteJJ
Beaverdam
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Joe I appreciate your comment.
Well that's "us" in a few words. You should see the scars on my skins from climbing up mountain brooks, my wife things I have more than a few screws lose!
ReplyDeleteI will have to pick up a copy of Eastern Fly fishing, thanks for the tip!
MarkW
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Mark my wife has on occasion has expressed the same words.
We do love what is the small stream.
In my humble opinion the small stream fisherman is indeed a special breed. Not easy fishing by a long shot, said fisherman has to be as tough and adaptable as those gems that live in the small streams.
ReplyDeleteSam
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Wow Sam to include us small stream anglers with the toughness of the brook trout is quite a compliment.
You captured it perfectly Alan, which is why I have followed your blog all of these years. I too have the scars, scratches and memories of many days angling high mountain streams in Virginia's Blue Ridge.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Dino
Anonymous
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Dino both Mark and myself have put some time in the VA. Blue Ridge. SNP to be exact. Beautiful streams and a special breed of brook trout within.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteYou should see the Dye an Watch Waters - fishing in 'Lilliput'! I will try and get some pictures for you.
Thanks
Alistair
Alistair I would love to see some pictures.
DeleteSmall streams from the UK.