Last week I paid a visit to my "home stream"...a pretty little stream that flows through a beautiful valley. The terrain is favorable to old knees and it felt good to walk on level land instead of the usual boulders and briars. I probably know this stream better then any of the streams I have fished. I guess it's been over 15 years since I first tossed a fly in it's waters. Well I have not fished here since late March so I did not know what to expect. The town has been doing some tree cutting along one of the trails, most of the trees were dead or sick and taking them down was a good thing.
When I saw the stream I knew I was in for a good day. The flow was good "but some rain is needed"..the water cool and the shade plays a big part in keeping it that way.
The first fish of the day was a little brown. When I first started fishing this stream browns were not here. Over the years they have been showing up.
A fallen log created a deep pocket just as the water was about to flow over it. These are places where you can usually find a willing fish.
And as soon as the fly neared the deep spot the fish hit and hit hard. A few moments later and this wild jewel was at hand.
Below the log there was a very good looking plunge pool..so what the heck. It's a place where you only get one shot at presenting the fly....that's all it took.
This lady was in wait. She seemed to hit the fly before it actually hit the water. It was good to be back home.
What is that fly Alan? Looks like a cross between a Pinkie and a Kebari. :-)
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill that fly was an inspiration I got from the youngest fly fisher I have ever met...a post is coming on it soon.
Was that a Brown or a Blue. Kidding. Nice little natives. A bit larger than what you usually catch.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark he did have a battleship gray sort of color. The brookies were well fed.
Beautiful fish and water!. There is no place like a home stream.
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
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Pat lots of very good memories from that stream over the years...I love going home.
Beautiful fish, Alan. Most especially I am glad to see good flow in that blue line. Where I live in western Mass rain is desperately needed. Only June, the Scantic is really thin already as was a small tributary that feeds it that I visited today. Some 2" brookies of the year were swirling around, the parr marks on their sides clearly visible. Easy pickings for a predator, but there were a bunch of them so hopefully most make their way to the main stream if we get rain soon.
ReplyDeleteSam
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Sam we also need some rain. The steams are OK but the future doesn't show a lot of rain in the forecast. Thunderstorms is our best bet now. One good factor is that every stream I've fished in the last 2 weeks has been cold. Those young of the year brookies will get an education in survival.
That looks like an exquisite spot! I am in the process of building a stomping grounds, I hope I dip my feet in that one!
ReplyDeleteNathan Camp
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Nate I think your familiar with that stream. I have a long history there.
If it's the one I'm thinking from our conversation, it's the site of one of my greatest days on the water, a couple hours and twenty eight brown trout. I've NEVER caught a brookie there though.
DeleteNathan, it was close to the stream you are talking about.
DeleteAhh! Gotcha, thanks.
DeleteGreat to see that stream in such fine form! And great to see some beneficial cutting. The more I learn about the forests of New England the more I realize such cutting along with controlled burns would do us a world of good.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan many forestry, and game commissions have said for years that clear cutting is something that is necessary. In CT we have many areas with dead and dying trees and it's something that needs attention.
I know you spend a great deal of time outdoors. Have you noticed an abundance of new growth of beech trees?
In some places yes, lots of places actually.
DeleteAnd that's a good thing.
DeleteI'm intrigued to know where the browns have come from, or what has changed in the last decade to allow them to colonize?
ReplyDeleteJustin
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Justin I wish I knew where they were coming from. The nearest stream where browns are found is quite far. But they have not had an effect on the brookies.
Hello Alan,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a month of Sundays since I've checked in with you and the gang! My life is taking those twists and turns that are too numerous and boring to tell about!
As usual, I am not disappointed with your blog and your posts and the beautiful photography that you produce! It is refreshing to see the gorgeous surroundings and the ultimate in beautiful fish, the Brookie! How blessed you are to be in this place and how blessed we are to have you piloting this blog!
Hello to everyone!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug life can throw lots of curve balls and those must be dealt with first. But it's good to see your post.
Things here are hot and some rain is needed. Some local thunderstorms have put down a lot of water but the storms are hit or miss.
Alan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful brook trout taken on an outstanding stream!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill going home is always a good feeling. The brookies made it super.