April is here and I can now put the shovel away. I was out the other day and found some willing fish in a stream I had not fished in a few years. I decieded to check it out when an email I got from a reader of SSR's in Oregon. He's a CT. transplant and he mentioned this stream so i checked it out and I fished it. The stream was introduced to me when I was quite young. We would go there and have a family cookout. Well the area has changed but the same willing brookies are there.
I started fishing a yellow partridge and found the brookies to be very receptive to it. I pretty much stayed with that fly for the time I was there changing only once to a yellow woodcock. The latter fly was not taken as well as the first choice. Selective brookies?
The brookies were of this size but were nicely colored. The fins on this one are spectacular.
Yes my friends those are trout lillies poking through the forest litter. In a week there will be those beautiful flowers brightening the grounds.
Oh I did use a streamer in some of the deeper runs. I managed to catch this boy. He's in fantastic condition with a few nasty scrapes along his flanks.
The "Shushan Postmaster"....a classic north east pattern.
Alan, As always a pleasure to see and read. We've had warmth and T-shirt weather for two days and now we're back to promised wintry showers but it's improving steadily. Hopefully Google mail is working. Man holds breath. ATB, John
ReplyDeleteThe Two Terriers
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John that fluctuation in temperatures really gives me the chills. It's going to get better here this weekend.
The 'postmaster' is a wonderful pattern. We don't have any greenery poking through yet, but we have hope. We made the 3 hour drive south to fish the traditional opener on Grand Lake Stream today. Pouring rain, howling wind, frigid water, leaky waders... and not even a bump for our trouble. We loved it.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike your opener sounds great, I'm being a bit nasty on that. Sorry the weather and fish did not work in your favor. Your outing brings to mind a streamer that was tied by Mike Martinek called "April Snow"..his words, The cheeks on this fly reminded me of several days on Sebago lake in April. Those days that there are no flowers only snow showers. Perhaps I'll tie April Snow.
Looks like an excellent outing all around!
ReplyDeleteNathan Camp
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Nate that stream looks as it did decades ago. The lower part is now stocked but the upper areas hold wild fish.
The brooks are running so nice around these parts right now, Alan. Hopefully consistent rainfall will keep them that way. Beautiful brookies, the one on the streamer is a chunk!
ReplyDeleteSam
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Sam the streams are running very nice. Usually this time of year the rains work with us but come summer it has been a different story. Lets hope this year we break that cycle.
Alan
ReplyDeleteAmazing how the colors vary from trout to trout. Beautiful stream with easy access---I would like to see the Trout Lillies once they are in full bloom. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I have always said that brook trout have a bit of Chameleon in them. That stream is a rather enjoyable one as far as access goes. I'll get you some photos of the Trout lillies in bloom.
Beautiful fish, and nice flies, thanks for sharing some moments in the field, getting out soon here in SE PA, headed to the Poconos. Trying darker soft hackles for the blue quills, quill gordons, stoneflies (yes a few February Reds!) can’t wait. Also trying your furled leader with tippet ring approach, just add tippet, less fuss, more fishing I think.
ReplyDeleteNed Zeppelin
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Keven I loved my time in the Poconos. The Delaware Water Gap has some lovely streams to fish. Your choice of flies sounds to be a good accounting of what you'll find hatching. Simplicity equals more time fishing. Good luck.