Good morning all of you wonderful people. While having my breakfast yesterday I was trying to choose a stream to fish that day. The day before we had a tremendous amount of rain, in the 3" range. Now most small streams drop pretty fast I wasn't so sure this time that the stream first chosen would be OK to fish. So stream #2 was selected and as it turned out that was the right choice. The weather guessers said mostly sunny with a few clouds with temps in the low 50's...and so off I went.
When I walked down to stream I was greeted by this lovely display of violets.
The stream was a bit high. It's flow was maybe three times normal. Remember these are wild fish in here and they are tough and can take the high flows. As a matter of fact I saw a couple of rising fish, and I was even able to tell what they were rising to. My determination was they were midges and the way I know that is because they were swarming in front of my face. A Griffith's Gnat would have been great but a brown soft-hackle also worked.
These brookies were in fantastic shape. From experience I can tell you this is a big fish for this stream.
The stream splits somewhat just above this run. Above that is a beautiful waterfall.
A gorgeous stream with a beautiful waterfall makes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich seem like a gourmet selection.
This stream is pristine. There are five anglers who fish this stream and I know everyone...that's why it shall remain pristine.
PB&J and a beautiful stream, you had me at 'Hello'. That last brookie is impressive.
ReplyDeletemike
DeleteThanks
Mike that simple sandwich tastes great when eaten in a setting like that. That fellow was well spotted and colored.
Lots of memories of opening days past on that stream! An excellent choice after a lot of rain
ReplyDeleteMarkW
DeleteThanks
Great memories for sure. All of the activity came in the upper part in the forest. I'm going to try a very dark tannic stream in the northwest part of the state today.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteGreat looking stream, keep that secret close. It must get pretty skinny under normal conditions.
JJ
Beaverdam
DeleteThanks
Joe other then a few trusted souls the names shall remain unknown. I have seen anglers complain that they can't find a place to fish, one reason has been spot burning for years. Not here friend. The blue line is quite skinny normally.
Alan
ReplyDeleteHeavy rains seem to have little effect on these streams. I wish we had some of that clear water here, everything is muddy after the 15 tornadoes that came through the state Easter Sunday. We got 5" of rain really fast. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill large rivers will discolor and take lots of time to clear. I've seen some of the destruction you have encountered. Stay safe.
PB&J gourmet all the way. Question: is it because it's a small stream that the Brookies never get "big". I know in Red Lake I've caught up to 18" Brookies back in the day.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
Mark at times there is no better sandwich. These streams are head water refuges for the brookie. He is pushed back here and survives. The streams offer meager feed and a 6-7" fish is probably 4-5 years old. If the brookie were in fertile waters it would attain a larger size.
I'm jealous Alan!
ReplyDeletebillp
DeleteThanks
Bill I'm certain you have places like this.
I do but they've closed em all up due to the virus. :-/
DeleteBill that is to bad. I hate to be political and it won't happen ever on this blog. But sometimes they may be looking at the wrong virus.
DeleteAlan, it gets me every time you find fish in those tiny streams.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
DeleteThanks
Matt I truly love this type of fishing. I have one of the northeast's finest trout rivers a mere 10 miles from me. I'd rather drive a bit further and fish a small blue line.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteThat is some good looking chunky egg bread there........
I like the look of the stream as well, nice to see green on the banks!
Look forward to your next posts - the pictures of your thin blue lines are keeping me sane whilst my own are closed down.
Thanks
Alistair
Alistair
DeleteThanks
Alistair that was a loaf of cinnamon apple brioche made into French Toast...delicious.
I fished a mountain stream today and I'm suffering. More later.
Alan, I I am unable to fish right now but your photographs of the small streams are the next best thing. thanks
ReplyDeleteGary
DeleteThanks
Gary SSR's is always open and your always welcome.
Great shots Alan. Unfortunately all of our State and National Parks and Forests are closed and my cabin rental back home was canceled by the State. But keep posting as it brightens my day!
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
DeleteThanks
Pat I guess they know what they're doing.
Do you know if PA. is closed?
I believe the trails and forests are open in PA but the facilities are closed.
DeleteBeautiful brookies, as always and tempting treats. Take another look at those "violets". They appear to be Myrtle/Periwinkle/Vinca. Violets will show up later.
ReplyDeletetangofish
DeleteThanks
Your absolutely right. I looked it up and they are not violets. I wish I knew more as to identifying plants and birds.
Really enjoyable, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHope that you can continue to keep that resource protected by secrecy. Watch out for internet posts and those guide books, we here have had several go from fragile resources to heavy usage areas with a publication or online video. The results are then obvious - the fish health and the resource suffers greatly.
Again, really enjoy your appreciation of all that really matters.