Good morning all.....this rainy day has me indoors enjoying a grilled slice of blueberry bread. It is slathered in butter alongside a great cup of coffee. My mood is that of content as I watch heavy rains sweep across my window. It is said that we can expect anywhere from 3-5 inches. The rain will impact the fishing for a day or so but the planning goes on as I finish the last crumbs of bread.
On several outings I have fished a stream that has perplexed me and I can't figure it out. Most of the stream which is typical of the small freestones I fish is not the issue. But there is one particular pool that has frustrated me.
The "baffle pool"...just look at this beautiful piece of brook trout water. I have fished this pool a few times now and have found it to be a tough nut to crack. Looking into it I spotted brookies from head to tail. On both right and left sides they dart about. I have fished here with at least 15 different flies that covered the water from top to bottom. I have hooked maybe 20 fish but they were not to come to hand.
I finally succeeded in getting one to take a mini-streamer. A size 12 red white and blue marabou.
A reward from the "baffle pool"...there will be more to come.
Now for some chili...
Interesting the colors. Some time ago, using Royal Rave (red/white/blue) Power Bait was a killer at Caples Lake for Brookies.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I guess brookies like that all American red white and blue. Actually it's quite visible in water.
Great coffee with butter grilled bread on the warm side of window- is there a better way to watch a nor’easter in the morning? To the trained eye that’s a real piece of water. A couple of considerations, from the photo the flow looks weak and a slow pool means they could be facing in any direction at any time. Do you think they are seeing your approach? Also I believe you said that generally you like to use 5x? Going to a lighter tippet just might fool a few more-
ReplyDeleteDean F
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Dean it was better in then out today. You make some very good points. When startled they headed for the center-dark spot in the pool. They blended in quite nicely. Being a 5x guy I'm going to try a lighter tippet. If I search about the house I'm pretty sure I have some 6 and 7X. Also my son has a GOpro and if he gives me a course in how to operate it I'll attempt to get some underwater footage of that pool.
Nothing like a blueberry muffin or a slice of that bread with a good cup of coffee, Alan. A great way to start the day. What a beautiful piece of water that big pool is, clear as a bell. Props for connecting there. I bet the brookies that live in there are wary as can be. They like the water, but probably always on high alert for predators lending to short hits on flies tossed in there. The one you caught is a nice chunk.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Sam
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Sam a comforting breakfast sets the tone for the day ahead. That pool is one to be admired. Not often do I find places that are this beautiful and challenging. We have found this pool very much to our liking.
Grilled blueberry muffins make the world go round. That brookie certainly hasn't missed many meals; what a porker.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike and that go around is at a lovely pace. That pool has some surprises...I'll figure it out.
My wife makes great Blueberry cornbread, pancakes and buckle. Love those blueberries!
ReplyDeleteHad five stockers on but only got one to hand last Friday. Those barbless hooks can be tough!
billp
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Bill blueberry cornbread now that sound very interesting. Perhaps tomorrow morning I'll attempt to make some.
That brookie succumbed to some patriotic colors. I am going with the theory that the pool is so clear that they can see you coming a mile away. On the other hand, you are reporting lots of hook ups - are these brookies just a substrain of particularly rambunctious char? Endowed with a Houdini gene.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the Nor'easter Chili.
Kevin
Ned Zeppelin
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Kevin the water clarity in that pool is an advantage to the brookies living in it. I spook brookies all the time but just rest the pool for a few minutes and it's OK. Chili was good on a chilly day.
I also have a couple of "baffle pools" where I routinely see trout and can get some strikes but where I have yet to land one. Perhaps with some high water this week I will be able to better sneak up on them.
ReplyDeleteShawn
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Shawn I guess we are all cursed with a pool as such. Maybe cursed is the wrong word perhaps blessed would be better suited. That high water will relocate those spawning trout.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteI have a "Baffle Pool" on the river Tees. It is quite a big, deep (some parts are over 12 feet deep!) pool with several fast and conflicting currents running into it. If there is a hatch on you will regularly see fish rising from its depths, otherwise its just a big black hole. Some of the club members have a great deal of success with this pool (even so far as giving it the moniker of "The Honey Pott") but it is a pool I have had very little luck with! I always have a few casts into it's dark waters as I am passing because you just never know......?
Take care and stay safe
Alistair
Take care
Alistair
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Alistair it seems we have such places in most rivers we fish, even across the pond. I like your reference to your baffle pool as the black hole. Again I fish a steam that I have referred to the black hole.
Alan, The colours on the fish and the colours on the fallen leaves are stunning. many thanks. ATB, John
ReplyDeleteThe Two Terriers
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John they compliment each other very nicely.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThat pool has to be spring-feed and it looks super clear. Are you using a florocarbon tippet in the 6X size? That was a quality brook taken. Thanks for shairng
Bill Trussell
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Bill I found a spool of 6x florocarbon and will use it the next time I fish that pool.