Monday, August 26, 2019

A Soft Rain

I'm not a guy who like fishing in off weather. Rain and snow are not pleasant times om the water for me. I like dry days and either sun or clouds are OK. On this outing I was met with a soft rain when I reached the stream. The promise of clearing skys was not happening. I had an option of leaving or fishing so I said perhaps I'll stay and deal with it. I had a half cup of coffee still warm so I put on the radio and finished my coffee hoping the rain would stop. It did not so I dressed and headed down to the waters edge. I gazed into the run that was before me and saw the rain drops make those lovely little rings as they hit the surface. On days like this I have had success using dry flies, the calmness of the rain seems to relax the fish and they rise to take the fly. Well another theory put to bed and so alternatives were used and they were successful.



The stream bottom. A relaxed scene with colors of the stones taking on a muted look.


The brook trout looking more beautiful on this damp day.


This bee was moving up into the flower to avoid the rain or so it appeared.


The brook trout have started to take on those colors of fall. Great days are ahead my friends.








24 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. dpnoll
      Thanks
      Jewels they are...long may they be there and long may they shine.

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  2. I love rainy days in the woods, they just seem so quiet and refreshing. I remember it was one of those days my brother died. I had a sense that he might pass,and the rain just seemed to be a comfort to me, like the earth was mourning with me. Very early the next day my sister in law called me to let me know that he had died the night before.

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    1. MarkW
      Thanks
      Mark nice words for such a tough time in life. I'm sure there was a bit of divine comfort brought to you i the rain.

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  3. I'm with Mark on this one... I LOVE rainy day's for fishing. They are nice in the woods in general, but speaking to fishing, it's possibly my second favorite weather to fish. Followed by clouds. But, in fairness, first place for fishing weather is ANY weather you can go :)

    That stream bottom photo, love it. I could print that and blow it up for the wall!

    Those little orange tenkara flies are amazing Alan... Another bit of vice inspiration from you that I need to go work on!

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will like you I say any time on the water is special.
      That was taken on a little stream in eastern CT. It's a soothing look.
      Those flies have been working pretty well as of late.

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  4. Nice flies Alan, won't Tenkara tease any more. :-)

    I'm with you on the rain. Here in summer in the mountains we get downpours with lots of lightning and nickle sized hail.

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    1. billp
      Thanks
      That's a deal buddy.
      That hard stuff is not to enjoyable, perhaps from one's home looking out it's not bad....soft stuff for me.

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  5. I love to fish in the rain; it's my favorite time on the water. It doesn't matter if the fish bite or not. The world takes on a wonderful new dimension in the rain. Your Tenkara tie is a hit!

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    1. mike
      Thanks
      True Mike, rain falling lightly adds a touch of peace and comfort. If we can't catch a fish at least we'll enjoy what we do have.

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  6. Alan, nice kebari flys and fish. Grey days and sprinkles are my favorite days. Cooler weather, no shadows over the water, and light rain makes it harder for fish to notice you without getting soaked. Always enjoy your posts. Cheers.

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    Replies
    1. Matt Harding
      Thanks
      Matt I need all the help I can get to keep the fish from knowing I'm there. That's why I love fishing riffles. I had a nice male brook trout smash a streamer today, to bad he was camera shy.

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    2. Well, at least you hooked up. Sunday I had 2 8" cutts that shook off the hook from 2 separate flys, before I could net them. One leaped about 18" out of the water. What brand hook did you tie your kebari flys to? I've seen those barbless hooks before, can't recall where. They have a good looking bend.

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    3. Matt don't you just love days like that. I'm doing a post on the hooks tomorrow.

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  7. I had to laugh at "another theory put to bed", Alan. It seems we all learn something new every time out, doesn't it? I am glad you connected after making the change in flies. Just like a good hitter, sometimes adjustments pay off.

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    Replies
    1. Sam
      Thanks
      It seems as though I have put many of those to bed as of late. I seem to pick up something new almost every time out. I fished yesterday with a fly I very seldom use, it was so beat up but it worked quite well. Your right adjustments pay off.

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  8. Another great posting Alan! Remember my credo..."Fish when you can not when you should!" Your willingness to fish in a light rain is admirable! It was interesting to note that brookies seem to be more relaxed during a rain shower! I know that just like a light breeze a gentle rain tends to hide the disturbance on the surface of even the lightest tippet! An important factor with experienced fishes of any species!
    Looking out my den window right now it is raining lightly! But, work is calling. Yuck! Otherwise, I would go out and reaffirm the above!
    Dougsden

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    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug I shall remember you credo and will put it into effect. I once read that both brook trout and steelhead are alike when it comes to a soft rain putting them at ease. I wonder if that also applies to a light snowfall.
      As John Denver said in a song, "play when you can, work when you should.

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  9. Alan
    I have a feeling you had the stream to yourself, beautiful brook trout taken. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill I was as lonely as can be, wonderful feeling out there.

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  10. Alan,
    I have not done much fishing this summer, you get busy with other things and next thing you know it's the end of August! Thoroughly enjoying your posts though. The photo following the comments of the cascading water really captures all the intricacies of the rushing water. Often attempted but rarely successful in a photo. Fantastic image!

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    1. Beaverdam
      Thanks
      Joe the summer has really gone quickly. A reward lies for all of us during the next 3 months. There are times when a certain object or sound will just catch me. The camera comes up and I snap. Sometimes it all comes together and I get a photo like that.

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  11. I really love to go fishing when it is raining, everything is quieter and there is no wind, which is normal here for wind. The photo of the bottom of the stream is artistic and is very well obtained, it is ideal for oil painting ... good shot.

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    1. Armando Milosevic
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      Armando days like that are so refreshing to both the mind and soul.
      Oil panting I never thought of that. I'm sure it would look beautiful.

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