Thursday, February 25, 2021

Back in the saddle again or back in the stream again...

Good morning folks. Well after two plus weeks I finally got out to do some fishing. I want to tell you I was wound up tighter then a drum from being indoors for that amount of time. I mean fly tying and reading along with some minor home repairs just does not replace being outdoors and fishing. The day was perfect, I hit the parking turnoff and it was muddy. This is good because the overnight temps were above freezing. As I was gearing up I felt a slight breeze and it was actually comfortable. Starting time temps were in the mid forties. I started fishing my normal places riffles and tailouts. The fly was a soft hackle and that's pretty much what I stayed with. Various colors and sizes were tried and some proved to be better choices then others.

What was enjoyable was the fact that I was able to get on the banks and walk. The snow had obviously melted some since the last time I fished. It felt good getting back to almost normal.

 

 

 

Water levels were good and the color outstanding. Snow melt can cause off colored water and luckily it had not got to that point.
 

The first brookie in two plus weeks. Man did that feel good.
 

This guy got my attention as I got close. He appeared to eating something near the waters edge. He kept an eye on me and then finished what he was doing then took flight. I not certain but could this be a falcon?
 

You can see just how beautiful the woods can be even in late February.
 

I approached this likely looking pool and woody debris trap with good thoughts. As I scoped it out something swam upstream in a hurry. Thoughts of beaver? No it was a brookie of at least 15". In my older years the one thing that has always stayed sharp is my outdoor eyes. This was a big fish.

I knew I was not the day to catch the one that slipped away but a spot like this had to hold one or two more brookies. So out went the wet fly and the swing then pause and lift. The water erupted and the fight was on. Bigger fish will head for the nasty stuff but this one just held his ground and dogged. He chose to move up and back. I had full control and was confident of actually seeing him up close.
 

He was a very respectable small stream wild brookie. So healthy and an impressive hook on the upper jaw. Should be a sight come October.
 

This turned out to be a day that the "fly doctor" would have prescribed.
 

 

22 comments:

  1. Great fish and a nice close picture of that raptor! I'm no expert, but given the orange eyecolor I'd guess that was a "sharp-shinned hawk". Wikipedia says they eat mostly smaller songbirds; probably the same warblers we hope so see eating bugs over our streams soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew D
      Thanks
      Andrew it's not often I have a bird hold still long enough for me to get a picture. I love wildlife.

      Delete
  2. Hi Alan

    That is some plate of bacon you have there................ Question is, 'Smoked or Unsmoked?'

    That hawk looks an impressive beast, almost as impressive as that Brookie.

    I had my first trip out to the little river Leven last weekend. The water level was good but very coloured. I managed 1 well conditioned Brownie of about 10" but no sign of any Grayling. It was a pleasant afternoon in the sun with a loud cacophony of bird song. Looking at the weather, I may even get out again this weekend?

    Stay safe & take care

    Alistair

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      Alistair it is smoked. This time of year you have to deal with that off colored water. Your success an accomplishment. Do you use dark/black flies in off colored waters?

      Delete
    2. Hi Alan

      I hedged my bets by using a dark fly with a pink tag an pink tungsten bead head!

      Thanks

      Alistair

      PS Dry cure smoked back bacon is one of the foods of the gods (especially in a sourdough sandwich with red sauce!)

      Delete
  3. Oh, man! That bird is spectacular! Glad you got out and found some water to fish; I wish we had your weather.

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    Replies
    1. mike
      Thanks
      Mike it was killing me not to be able to fish. You must still be in the deep freeze. 22 days 'til spring.

      Delete
  4. Its either a Cooper hawk or a Sharp-shinned. They are nearly identical except for size. The barred red breast says its a mature bird

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      I looked it up and it appears to be a sharp shinned hawk. The breast feathers were gorgeous.

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Bureboyblog
      Thanks
      I usually cook up more for breakfast but save it to cut into bits for my salad at lunch.

      Delete
  6. That landscape or woods cape is wonderful. I can smell the air. And the bacon.
    Take care and stay safe, John

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    Replies
    1. The Two Terriers
      Thanks
      John the snow is gradually melting and the warm sun is feeling so good after a long winter.

      Delete
  7. Alan,
    That's a great day afield. That second brookie is a stud.
    Seeing and managing to get a good shot of the hawk is the topper.
    Thanks for sharing. You even eased my cabin fever a little.
    JJ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beaverdam
      Thanks
      Joe it was a day for renewing. That brookie was a blessing that made me so happy. I often see some gorgeous birds but they very seldom offer me a good picture.

      Delete
  8. Sharpshin would be blue jay size, the coopers a crow size.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown
      Thanks
      I guess it's a sharp shinned, at least from what been said so far.

      Delete
  9. Nice sharp shinned hawk and brookie too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. All I can say is that was a mighty good day.

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    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark days like those are always nice. But days like those at the end of February are two thumbs up.

      Delete
  11. Alan
    What a way to get the season started landing some respectable brook trout. I assume both were landed using your fly rod combo instead of the Tenkara? Beautiful scenery---thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete