It was one of those rain on rain off kind of mornings. A late May morning with a touch of humidity. The woods were damp and the bugs active. I still have not used any repellent this season but I'll make sure to put some in the car now. Usually cloudy rainy days provide some good fishing and this was one of them. I found the brookies interested in surface flies and that's what I gave them. This time of year on these little forest creeks it's easier to fish dries than wet flies most of the time. I like to know where my fly is and something that floats makes that easier.
Those little riffles at the head of a deep water section is where most of my hits came from. The brookies like the cover broken water gives them and the rifles provide that as well as place where food is usually found.
A lovely brookie on a damp morning.
A rest, and nature provided a perfect rod holder.
This pretty young lady has some very pronounced markings...do you notice what they are?
A mysterious blend, it was left in the car since morning. But it still tasted fine.
Hi Allan,
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for sharing your remarkable photography and years of experience. Question: How can you tell male and female brook trout apart when they're small? I know bigger male brookies often have kypes, and in the fall they wear gaudy suits...but the little guys? I notice the female in your picture has a sort of rounded snout and the male a sharper snout. Another question: I love your pic below of San Marzano tomato plants. Did you plant them in soil from the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius? Just kidding... I should try growing some myself.
Warmest wishes,
John
John Strucker
DeleteThanks
John the females have that smooth rounded head, it's very distinct. The San Marzano plants came from a local farmer. The seeds he uses come from Italy and he keeps seeds from year to year. I might add he is quite proud of them. They claim the soil here is not the same as Italy, and the tomatoes don't taste the same...my taste is not that refined. Good to have you commenting.
Alan, what a good looking small stream and fish. I don't know enough about brook trout to identify distinct markings or gender. But, if I had to guess, I'd say the tiger-like markings on her dorsal area.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
DeleteThanks
Matt the dorsal fin is quite brilliant, maybe that's why orange is such a good color for brookie flies. But it's the parr marks that stand out for me.
Even damp those forests are beautiful. Cold coffee, yuk.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
That they are...3 hour old cold coffee is heaven on a damp day.
That's one variety of tomato I haven't tried to grow in the greenhouse. I experimented with Amish paste tomatoes last year. This year I'm taking a much needed tomato break. I love fishing in the rain!
ReplyDeletemike
DeleteThanks
Mike you would love San Marzanos, such beautiful sauce.
Rain just seems to lull brookies to the surface...
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a clean, clear and fresh blue line in the forest.....
We have almost forgotten what rain looks like, as there hasn't been much more than the odd light shower for several weeks! Your photos remind of what is is though.
After a trip up to Teesdale last weekend, I am off to the little River Leven tomorrow. Mayfly (Ephemera Danica & Vulgata) season is in full swing and the trout & grayling are gorging themselves on our biggest upwing! Time to make hay, as the saying goes.
We are picking up some tomato plants from my dad this weekend - not sure what variety they are though???
Stay safe
Alistair
Alistair
DeleteThanks
Alistair we have been getting rain a couple of times a week. A good spring in terms of precipitation.
It's always good to see active fish, makes the world seem right.
Plant on mate....
Good Morning Alan,
ReplyDeleteIt's raining lightly but steadily as I write this. I dont mind fishing in the rain, the sound of the raindrops falling on the leaves can be very soothing. A mate and I fished in the rain a few weeks ago. I kept dry until I slipped over (twice!) and ran out of dry clothes. The wild rainbows that we caught from that little river, whose real name is, wait for it, Little River, had parr markings like that second brookie in the photo.
I appreciated a hot Thermos coffee after my dunkings. Drove home wearing a pair of rain pants and jacket--the only dry garments left in the car.
Memo to self--take TWO spare sets of clothing when fishing.
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
DeleteThanks
Steve a soft rainfall can do so much for the mind. Some of my best day at the tying desk have been when rain is falling. You just have to love the marks. Sorry about the dunkings, a calamity we all face. Coffee such a welcomed drink. Some anglers prefer a taste of single malt...I'll take coffee.
Sounds like a great day!
DeleteAre those cable ties you are using on the Cabela's CGR?
ReplyDeletebillp
DeleteThanks,
No they are the silver reel rings.
https://smallstreamreflections.blogspot.com/2015/02/cabelas-cgr-glass-rod.html
Thanks, The inside of the rings looked almost like cable ties. I know some guys have trouble with the cork reel seats staying tight.
DeleteLove the CGR! Beautiful little stream. Hope all is well Alan.
ReplyDeleteRalphsFlyBox
DeleteThanks
Ralph the only fault I have with the CGR is "there is no fault"....All's well here I hope it's the same for you.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI could see a brook trout killing a dry fly in some of those riffles. Beautiful area you was fishing, thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill they were in there and luckily a few took the fly...good day for sure.
Looks like the same fly used for both of those beautiful brookies, can’t tell what it was.
ReplyDeleteNed Zeppelin
DeleteThanks
It's a creation of mine...basically it is a thread body, a few turns of peacock for the thorax and some light colored hackle. It can be fished dry or wet.