Out and about over the weekend checking on the waters I frequent. Found some interesting things, had a frustrating few hours fishing and realized that brook trout always seem to pick me up. The stream in the picture was flowing nicely when I visited it on Saturday. Thundershowers in certain areas seemed to dump a lot more rain than they did in other places. I took a water temp and it showed 66, which is not bad. On to selective brookies. I hear you say what the heck is he talking about. Most feel brookies are always hungry and will eat most anything they can get in their mouth. I agree but there are times when they blow that thought out of the water. Case in point was yesterday when they would not take my usual offerings, instead they were choosy and it took me a couple of hours to get it figured out.
This big fly would normally be crushed the moment it hit the water, not this day. Even my friend the "bomber" did not create a surface crease. The fly that helped me avoid the skunk was a wet fly, and that wet fly had to be a size 14.
I managed to bring these two to hand on the wet fly.
I know it's only mid August but I have my mind set on those October days when I'll be here fishing for those unique strain of brook trout...yes sir.
I want you to check out the photo below of a sea-run cutthroat trout. It was caught on a dry fly. Broad shouldered and silvery. It measured 17.5" and was taken on a 2wt rod.
Well, Alan, I'm glad to learn I'm not the only one encountering (or not encountering) selective brookies! My brother-in-law and I fished one of our favorite brooks the other day and landed only one 6-inch native between us. We did manage to spook a larger fish from a deep brush-filled pool - but that was it for 2 hours of fishing. Might come back at the big fella with a nymph in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteAs for sea-run cutthroats, that's a beauty in the picture! My brother lives in Port Angeles WA. Looking forward to visiting him and his sea-run cutts next summer.
John Strucker
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John yes brookies can be selective and with me knowing of your issues with selective brookies I feel better.
I wish you well on that sea-cutt adventure.
We have a lake out here you would love. Heenen Lake is the spawning lake for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. You can only fish the lake in September & October and only on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Barbless and C&R only. But, we're talking Cutts in the multiple pound range. I've only fished it once and got skunked. A bit of a hike I can't make now.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Wow Mark that must be a special and respected trout to have such tough regulations put in force to protect it. I appreciate the fish and game div. doing their part.
I'm in the same boat when it comes to tough hikes.
I have a couple of flies that usually entice a strike from our brookies, but not always. That's when I'm bejiggered and go through some tippet trying everything from big attractors to tiny nymphs and midges. Sometimes a mystery, but I don't believe I'd want it any other way.
ReplyDeleteAl R.
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Al you are right in not having it easy with brookies. By now you know how I feel about them. Most times a few simple patterns in a couple of sizes usually gets the job done. I learned another lesson.
If you want to read about Sea Run Cuts "An Angler's Astoria" by Dave Hughes is the book. Or Sea Runs in general Haig-Brown covers it. Lovely books.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Haig-Brown is "the" authority when it comes to Pacific sea run fish. I'll check out the title by Dave Hughes.
I see the Tomah Joe did it again eh?
DeleteBill, yes it was Tomah Joe again. Only the #14 worked, they refused a 10 and 12...selective brookies?
DeleteNice fish Allen, I too have been foiled by not bringing a fly box with a selection of flies.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
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I tend carry to many of the wrong fly. Well not really but it feels like that at times.
Seem like this time of year the trout are getting finicky. Fishing the Swift a few times recently, most every connection is a long distance release making me think they are barely hooked to the fly when I detect the sub surface hit. My guess is they have seen a lot flow by them by now and are doing a lot more "tasting" than hitting. That is my excuse anyway. Haha.
ReplyDeleteSam
Sam
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Sam that LDR as been dominate for a week or so. I even sharpened some of my hooks, but that was not the problem. This time of year there's a bounty of food out there especially in the tailwaters so they can be selective. Just hang on, fall is around the corner.
doing a lot more "tasting" than hitting. That is my excuse anyway. Haha.
DeleteI like your excuse.
Alan
ReplyDeleteCongrats on handling that size trout on such a light fly rod. What length 2 wt was you fishing? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill the rod is fiberglass and is 4' 10"...perfect small stream rod.
They never stop chasing the yellow and orange. :)
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