I fish small streams most of the time. Now these streams are sometimes tiny and even dry up in bad drought years. The last few weeks I have visited many of these tiny creeks most of them feed larger streams. While most of them are still barren of fish some of them will surprise me with a brook trout or two. But as a whole fishing these creeks is more a walk in the woods and that's not such a bad thing either. Creeks as this may have a draw to spawning trout in the fall but soon after that the trout return to the somewhat larger stream. Then there are a few who choose to stay within the tiny creek. My question is "why"...these creeks do not have the forage to hold trout, many times the cover is scant and yet they remain. I'm happy to see that there are trout in these creeks, for fishing for them can be enjoyable. Wild trout are not choosy what flies they take and you could fish one fly the whole outing.
In your travels do you find and fish such tiny creeks?
A fly to start and a fly to finish.
I know of a few creeks that small but mostly the smallest I fish are about twice that size. Our rain and snow pack are very low so maybe they will be getting down to that size. :-/
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill as a rule I usually pass up on streams that size with exception and that is the time of year. Lack of rain/snow is not an issue yet is it?
It's quickly getting to be Alan. My favorite stream is at 50% snow pack and the rain was at about 60% last year. On the other hand they're never blown out. :-)
DeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteHow I wish tailrace trout were more like the native trout. One can change flies numerous times when fishng for tailrace trout and still not make a connection. I realize the hatch on a tailrace plays a huge part in what the trout will take at a particular time of the day; I'm wondering if the hatch plays out the same way on a tiny stream like you fish there? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill trout born in a stream are so much more of a strong catch. They become educated in what it takes to survive. If they don't then they're not around long. Very few hatches on streams as these. Trout that live here year round rely on land insects, worms both aquatic and earth.
Small streams are all I fish. I have plenty to choose from near my cabin in NC PA. The trout might be small but they sure are fun and you can't beat the scenery.
ReplyDeleteKen Rose
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Ken great choice. I fished extensively in NE PA for many years. I love the streams there. A couple of my buddies fished Potter county. Small wild trout are concentrated beauty.
I do... though less lately just due to time available. It's a great way to scout for deer/turkeys, or simply a quiet spot to sit and listen to water and wind... which is never, ever, a poor use of one's time.
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will time is a consideration when fishing these little creeks unless as you said it can double as a scouting venture. I'm always bumping into mink along the way. They are curious creatures and comical.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteAlthough I fish a variety of waters, like you my main passion is small streams.
Living not far from the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors we have a mix of streams in which trout (and grayling!)from some pretty substantial 'freestone' rivers to the tiniest of becks - some of which run off limestone and are the most northerly chalk streams in the uk (and probably Europe?).
I happened across one of these tiny streams when out walking with the family up on the moors in the summer last year. It was at the head of a famous river which has some very exclusive fishing lower down (think deadmans boots and £1000s PA to fish!). The stream was minute (less than 3ft across for the most part) but was packed with trout. Some of these fish were a good size too (>14"). I had not brought a rod out that day, so was not tempted to give it a go (probably best as I could have been infringing private fishing rights???). The size and number of fish got me to do some research and I discovered that these headwaters percolate through a bed of Corallian limestone which provide particularly fertile waters, hence the number and size of trout for such a tiny water.
I have fished some similar sized streams elswhere on the North York Moors that run directy off the peat moorland. The acidic water and meagre food supply mean that their stocks of trout are quite paltry in comparison! They are fun to catch and will readily take any suitable pattern that is presented to them (as long the cast is good!). My guess would be that the trout in the limestone stream would be a much harder target!
Take care and stay safe
Alistair
Alistair
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That was quite interesting. Some streams provide cool waters and some an abundance of food. And then there are streams that provide both. With the number of streams available to you you truly have a bit of heaven close by...
So great to be transported to these special places in the winter. I need to get out more, winter fishing is something I’ve not tried but intend to this year.
ReplyDeleteNed Zeppelin
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Kevin a nice winters day can really lift your spirit as you walk along a small stream. That spirit is lifted even higher when you fell that tug.