We have just experienced 3 straight absolutely gorgeous days. I mean spring weather in overdrive. Day time highs in the sixties and overnight forties. And I'm here to tell you we took advantage of everyday. The streams were beautiful with flows that make you want to say stop it right now and let it be this way all year. It also made me take out the bamboo rod for the first time since last October. Oh man did that piece of cane feel sweet. I pretty much started out using soft hackles with a switch to dries, but soon it was back to soft hackles because that's what they wanted. Before I go any further have I ever told you how much I love small streams...well I love small streams.
This little fly, some might argue that calling it a fly is a stretch. Well this fly was in the mouth of quite a few brook trout that day. A silk thread body and a couple of turns of semi-stiff hackle.
These brookies were in a eating state of mind.
Where ever there are shadows it's always worth several casts.
Just look what may be lurking in one of those shadows. Have I ever mentioned how much I love wild brook trout? Well I do.
These fellows were all over the place.....
.....so I tied this on. A "purple partridge".... Mike's favorite color.
A super day in brook trout forest.
Gee Alan, I don't think you ever said you like wild Brook Trout. Probably a good thing you do with all the fishing for them you do. Ooh, a sarcastic Saturday morning. Always a pleasure tagging along on your trips.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark they are my second true love. Love having you with me.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great day in the Brook Trout Forest.....
The purple partridge was a good match for those mottled bugs (whatever they may be?????).
Not long to our Trout season starting (22nd March). I have booked two days of work to hit the little river Leven - hopefully I will have as much luck as you!
Take care and stay safe
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair I think they were some type of stonefly. But the purple partridge did the trick. Happy to hear of your trout season getting underway soon. Just for the heck of it which flies will you start the season with?
Depends on the weather and conditions Alan......
DeleteAll being well, the weather this week will be dry and come Monday the river will be clear with a good flow. In this case it will be a dry fly such as a Last Chance Cripple or a Klinkhåmmer perhaps with a Waterhen Bloa or Hares Lugg n Cree on a dropper. If the weather stays wet and the river is up and coloured, it will be bottom dredgers. I usually have two of Guides Choice, Pink Tag Jig, CDC Hackle Caddis, Macaw Quill Baetis & Egan's GTI Caddis on the leader.
Thank you sir. I'm confident you have the right choices.
DeleteWhat a great day, Alan. I am glad you took advantage of the spring like weather. The colors on the brookies never disappoint. Pretty interesting spots on that stonefly too! Best, Sam
ReplyDeleteSam
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Sam we had 3 in a row. March was kind. The stoneflies usually don't have spots as far as I know. Brookies are truly special.
It's my 'favorite' color when YOU tie them and fish them. What a wonderful post, Alan; we can hear your enthusiasm coming through the page! I'm glad you had the weather, ...send some of it up here.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike I'm going to issue a challenge to you. On opening day or whenever you first take to the stream you fish a purple colored body fly. It was a great day out there. The fish the weather it just came together....love it.
Lol, it's a deal, Alan. I've got a single spool of Pearsall's purple lying around, I'll tie up a few and try them.
DeleteMike put that purple Pearsalls to use. then we want to see that Maine brookie with the fly in its lip.
DeleteInspiring! I like your purple and partridge pattern for those late winter stoneflies. Simple and effective. I just learned about another simple fly which looks interesting, a dry called The Student Fly: hook, thread and CDC.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flyfishsd.com/student-cdc-dry-fly-fly-tying-video/
Kevin
Ned Zeppelin
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Keven I'll check it out. I love simplicity.
Absolutely gorgeous brookies! They must have been a blast on that bamboo rod. Looks like a perfect day. Do you usually fish the soft hackles downstream, Alan? Any situations in which you fish them upstream?
ReplyDeleteColin
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Colin that rod is perfect for that size fish and stream.
About 90% of my fishing is downstream. I will in certain instances fish them upstream, like those difficult areas where a downstream presentation would not work.
Colin, here is an instance where I used an upstream presentation.
Deletehttps://smallstreamreflections.blogspot.com/2021/01/blog-post.html
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThree beautiful days for you yielded a gorgeous post for us! This is a stunningly beautiful entry! The fish look in their finest fettle and I was so glad to see they responded well to the "hen and orange" that you have shown!
Keep it rolling Alan right on into deep spring! Your bamboo wonder looks terrific! I love mine dearly! I love all my rods but I'm especially enchanted with my bamboo!
Dougsden
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Doug they were very welcomed. Now it's back to reality. That little fly really got some attention from the local brookies. Doug "enchanted" is the word.
Natty and I took advantage as well, she caught her tenth trout (wild brown) all by herself on the first cast. She was jumping excited when I told her we were going to find trout!
ReplyDeleteNathan Camp
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Nate that must have been something to see. She loves what being outdoors means and it's showing. Give her a high five for me.
I certainly will!
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