We have been blessed with a substantial rainfall over the past few days. I don't have an actual number to tell you but I'll bet some areas got over two inches. With that amount of new water pouring into the streams it was the opportunity I was waiting for to visit a stream that has been on hold due to the lack of rain. I was surprised when I reached the starting point and found the pull off was almost gone. The field was thick and almost covered the path leading into the forest. At this point it was accepted that we were going to get wet and that was to come true with the first few steps we took.
I have been fishing lately without waders. I have chosen to walk-wade in sneakers and have enjoyed this very much. It gets a little iffy when I walk along rocky areas for the sneakers do not offer the best support, but I'm super careful and it hasn't presented a problem.
Everything was wet.
The stream was up and had taken on a semi-chocolate color. Shallow riffled areas were pretty clear but the deeper pools were cloudy.
This stretch was interesting. In past visits here I have done well with my hookups and this day was no exception. To give a number I'd say at least twelve brookies found my fly acceptable.
Unpretentious wild char.
Wet woods, there are no words that can actually describe the feel and smell. It's just awesome.
These brookies were in stellar condition. Perfection in a natural setting.
Brook Trout Forest lived up to it's billing this day...truly a "richer fuller life".
very enjoyable, thanks for the trip to Brook trout forest.
ReplyDeleteDave H
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Dave brook trout forest is a special place. Your always welcome.
Pretty trip Alan. It's getting dry here again.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill those wet/dry cycles will drive us crazy. We may get the rains from the tropical storm moving up the coast.
We've had two gully washer nights in a row now. 2nd favorite spot is running at 300%.
DeleteThat's a fantastic looking stream with some amazing fish in it. The cool wet weather over the past few days has been quite a treat! I still haven't figured out how to get my soft hackles to fool fish like that but seeing posts like this motivates me to keep trying.
ReplyDeleteShawn
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Shawn there are times when you just let the fly fish for you. Even with the off color water I was able to let the just pulsate in the pools and that's all that was needed.
Alan - I also enjoy wading wet this time of year. What footwear I've found that works really well for me is a pair of old hiking boots. I use a pair of well used KEEN water proof boots. The water proofing will keep your feet dry until you go in over the top & the lug soles help with your footing. I also use an old hockey stick shaft as a wading/walking stick which also helps me with my stream side stability...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your VLOGS, take care & thank you for sharing your small stream adventures...
Sincerely;
Hollen Groff
Hollen M. Groff
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Hollen in the past year or so I've come to use a walking stick more frequently. Somehow I seem to find the streams stones much more slippery then they were before. In my early days of small stream fishing I almost never wore waders/hip boots. Always with hiking boots.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteThat is a good looking stream and a verdant forest. It still amazes me that, despite the thousands of miles separating them, your thin blue lines look so similar to my local streams here in North Yorkshire.
I have tried wet wading only once in the last couple of decades, it was on the Dye Water in the Scottish borders. I did enjoy it, but I was not too confident with the grip from my walking boots.
Take care and stay safe
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair that is amazing. I would love to see some photos of those North Yorkshire thin blue lines. It can be tricky wet wading, I wish all the stones in stream were flat and not so slippery.
I also wish Santa Claus made deliveries every month.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried the Chota hip boots? They are light weight andvery good product and a good alternative to wet wading. I have had mine for several years and though they are showing much wear are still leak free. (I probably just jinxed myself) I worry about the threat of ticks with wet wading and think they add another level of protection.
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe I have/use Frog Toggs hip boots. Also lightweight and almost wear out proof. The Chota boots you speak of I am aware off. I to worry about ticks and poison ivy although I have been lucky so far and have avoided both. Now that jinx thing...
What I like about the Chota's is that the elastic cord that goes to your belt to hold them up also causes the top to chinch closed around your leg. This keeps debris and bugs from falling down inside them.
DeleteJJ
Have you tried Simms wet wading shoes. I use them with 2mm neoprene booties (to keep out stones etc.). The support's not great but they are light, easy and relatively inexpensive.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog.
Ed Polubinski
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Ed I have not, but the neoprene booties sound great. Sneakers and hiking boots do not prevent those little stones from getting into your feet.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI still remember that swamp smell when I was a boy wading the small streams where we use to lived. Were you using the Tenkara on this trip? Some of those areas on the banks looks really close for casting. Beautiful images---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill no Tiny Ten on this outing, but it would have worked well. I had the Cabelas 5'9" 3wt glass rod. I only lost one fly so that's not bad.
Those raindrops look so good. I am praying every night that some really big storm hits out here. The West is soooo dry! Oh, how I love those brookie colors!
ReplyDeleteThe River Damsel
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Emily I have seen some of the areas out west that have been plagued by the prolonged drought. We'll do a rain dance for you folks. Pretty little fish.