I have written about this stream many times. It flows through a gigantic hemlock forest with some impressive rock formations along its flow. While some of it moves as a swift flowing stream it also has some very nice deep pools. There are times of the year when this stream gets quite low. The lake that feeds water into it ceases during the summer to maintain lake levels. It is at that time when the stream relies on springs and small tributaries to help maintain its flow.
Brookies can usually be found through out the stream most times of the year, even in the dead of winter you can coax a brookie to take a dry fly. On a recent visit I was granted a shut-out during my visit, that is until I reached the area of gorges of which there are a few on this stream. In one of these gorges lies the "Black Hole"...
The "Black Hole" a name given it by Pete. One day while fishing it with Kirk and Pete we observed brook trout of ample size swimming in the pool. Suddenly they would vanish into the black waters hence the name Black Hole. Many currents make up this hole. Water comes in fast and then swirls left then right and circles slow at the tail. The rock ledge will sometimes hold a large brook trout and if your fly drifts near you will get him to take. On this day I manged to take a couple of nice brook trout from the Black Hole.
These two beauties came to hand on a bead head nymph. Wild and strong.
It is certainly fun to have a special place like this! Good times. We still have too many feet of snow to get through where our brookies live! Waiting patiently...
ReplyDeleteThe River Damsel
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Emily places like this will remain a secret and only the trout know it along with a few close friends.
Snow has not really showed itself the month of January. I'm quite worried that February wont be as nice.
Wow, fine looking brookies! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteJJ
Beaverdam
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Joe that stream has some beauts. I've tangled with a few on streamers.
Alan, I just love seeing tree-lined creeks like this. It's great to hear that there's a couple spots that produce fish. I spotted that ledge before I had a chance to read about it. Nice couple of fish.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
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Matt a seasoned small stream guy will pick out that ledge and know what it holds. At the end of that pool is the most obnoxious pile of wood debris that I've ever seen. Located nearby are always a couple of nice fish.
I guess as long as the water is still in the creek, it's OK to shut down the lake. I've talked many times about Silver Fork. A creek that comes out of Silver Lake. Silver Lake is required to release a min of 2.5 cfs all year long to support the wild trout population in Silver Fork.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark that's the way it should be. But this lake apparently has some wealthy cottage owners...get the drift.
Well done Alan! Pete would be impressed! I seem to remember that hole not giving up many fish
ReplyDeleteMarkW
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Mark it has a reputation of being stingy. That day that was as far as I fished that stream. Until then I had only one other fish take. The upper reaches are usually productive.
We have a lot of Black Holes but they are man-made. Our Game & Fish and NM Trout create rock dams and the plunge pools below them. Probably hold 80% of the fish.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill plunge pools are so important to wild trout. I never pass one with out dropping a fly into it.
What a couple of well fed chunks, Alan! Beautiful brookies caught in that black hole.
ReplyDeleteSam
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It would be nice to put on a snorkel and just see what's in there.
Alan
ReplyDeleteNice brook trout for sure, the Black Hole looks like a great place to fish a dry along with the nymph.
By the way you answer my question I was going ask---concerning springs that feed these streams you fish. Do you know the water temp in the hot summer months? I would think the trout would stay close to the spring areas in the summer months. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I took stream temps a couple of times in late July. As I would expect they vary quite a bit. Some areas ran 72 and others were 66-68. The trout will seek and find those cool seeps.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThe stretch of the little river Leven I fish has a fair size black hole with some really good sized brownies in it. It is a nightmare to fish effectively as one side has an overgrown vertical bank around 10 feet high which plunges straight down into water around the same depth. The other side is soft silt and mud which is impenetrable. The pool itself has many conflicting currents which leads to issues with drag. The only time I have ever caught in that pool is at Mayfly time (ephemera Danica & vulgata) when the big trout make an appearance and all the trout tend to drop their guard.
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Alistair
Anonymous
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Alistair that sounds a tough a hole to fish as any I've encountered. A silted bottom when stirred up will turn off feeding trout very quickly. Lots of food will get the trouts attention and most times off of you.
Alan, The resilience of these fish never cease to amaze me. So healthy and strong.
ReplyDeleteKurt
Brookie61
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Kurt they are tough critters.
It was good to see you yesterday, as well as that talented young fly tyer you were with. It was very enjoyable to watch her.