Yes folks, here we are in the month of February. January has been kind so my hopes February will follow suit. On the last day of January I fished a small stream that I have a special fondness for. It's flows through a large tract of land that is heavily forested. Most of the tress are hardwoods with a scattering of pine and hemlock. The stream that day was clear and the sun shinning on it made for some wary trout.
A stream that has good flow leading to an undercut with decent depth is a likely brookie holding spot. The fly I had on was a Picket Pin, a wet fly that can also be fished dry. It's peacock body with brown hackle is an attention grabber. A few drifts of the Pin and a fish grabbed it.
The wild brookie at hand was incredible. It's deep olive tones were similar to the moss lined banks of his home.
Who can guess what a brookie will rise to in a small stream in January. I can't. But in this quiet pool were a few of them doing just that. I often if they are actually insects at all. Maybe it's windblown bits of leaf debris or something similar.
I think the Picket Pin looked more like a meal than the leaf debris.
An outing in Brook Trout Forest.
Quiet and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark that's so true. These days we all could benefit from a walk in the woods.
February??? It looks like April!
ReplyDeleteJJ
Beaverdam
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Joe it does and I'm loving it.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteWow! That is some incredibly beautiful water and incredibly small as well! The later still intrigues me so! Please know how blessed you are in having such special places so close to home! Wait a minute....you do already know this! Thank you for what you do!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug I'm going to try to fish a stream today that is so close that I should be slapped for not fishing it more often. The issue is access, lots of homes near.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI really like the clean banks on this stream. Thanks for reminding me how great the Picket Pin is. I've landed trout using it on the Sip. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill a nice no clutter stream, most unusual.
The Picket Pin is versatile fly. It can be fished wet or dry. It's a pretty fair caddis looking fly and when tied on a longer hook it make a good streamer.
That looks like a real nice zone to fish, Alan. Not much bush whacking to get to the stream judging by the photos. You have had a fine winter fishing and I appreciate reading about your outings as I make my way through winter with few opportunities to fish myself. Days are getting longer though, and fishing after work is not too far off.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Sam
Sam
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Sam it's a pleasure fishing this time of year winter keeps all the little tanglies under control. By the end of this month the days will moving to your favor.
Alan, in PA we tied the "Picket pin variant" with a body of two fine chenilles, one light and one dark. They are tied in together and wound up a long shank hook, like a barber pole. Chauncey K. Lively published the recipe and instructions in the PA Angler magazine. I caught one of the largest brook trout I have ever landed on such a pattern. The brookie was just over 20 inches (obvious stockie) in Perkiomen Creek in Southeastrn PA.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John I would love to see a photo of that fly. From your description I could see brook trout taking it. A 20" brookie weather stocked or not is quite a fish.
Thanks Alan for reminding me of a special place! I've not been fishing much since relocating but I check in often to see what you are up to! Enjoy the mild winter my friend, spring will be here soon enough.
ReplyDeleteMarkW
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Mark I fished that stream to the waterfalls. Not many changes with exception of some branches and twigs. Brookies were pretty receptive. We have been lucky this winter.