A boulder strewn freestone stream. Ice is now forming along it's edges and it looks like winter is grabbing hold. Yes there will be those days when the temperatures will reach a level of comfort but they will be getting fewer each and every week. Winter with it's cold is a blessing in that it allows us to dial back and really focus on the little things that get kicked to the curb during the other three seasons. We all have those little things and I won't list them but I'm certain many of them are the same as yours.
Man, the color on those berries really pops, doesn't it. Spectacular. Is that a copy of 'Voelker's Pond', just off your right elbow? Be careful on the ice...
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike that is Voelkers Pond. It has been my companion since I purchased it 20 years ago. It's a source of inspiration.
9 days until the Winter Solstice and we're having the possibility of snow at our house on Tuesday. We've lived here 6 years and had snow 3 times. Weird climate.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I guess you not considered living in the snow belt. The winter solstice and we are over the hump...
Love that last frame
ReplyDeleteBureboyblog
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That was a nice angle.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteYet another spectacular post with many tantalizing pics especially of the one at your tying desk! It is nice to "catch" you in your special place and to see a slightly wider view of very familiar territory to your faithful followers!
The first pair of patterns you have shown above really strike a cord with me! The hook, the sparse dubbing (which I like a lot on all patterns that call for it), and the enticing hackle make this one of my all time favorites!
I hope you will coach a neophyte like me this winter when I start down the Ausable Bomber road! I think I have all the ingredients somewhere in this bedraggled den!
Please keep up the great work Alan! It is so appreciated by us all!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug that sparse dubbing is sometimes the key to get the strike. I would be thrilled to show you a tutorial on tying the "bomber".
That would be marvelous Alan! When, where, how???
DeleteAnxious in the den,
Dougsden
Good morning Alan- that photo of you at your desk is very familiar to me. The dark of winter for me is fly tying season and I truly love being at my vise on winter nights, especially during snowstorms. My wife is as passionate about her cooking as I am about tying flies. Ahead of a storm she always stocks our kitchen with the ingredients needed for something magnificent. I have many wonderful memories of sitting at my vise, the wind howling and the aroma from the kitchen mixing with that from the wood stove, a great meal anticipated. Our dog Oliver, usually asleep under my desk, occasionally giving me a look when I disturb him by turning in my chair to get feather or fur from the materials cabinet. There is something to be said for fly tying season and its memories, some often compete with those of my time on the stream. Every fly from the vise carries with it the potential of fooling a fish in the season to come and that makes our long cold winter a lot more tolerable.
ReplyDeleteDean
Dean F
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What a lovely setting you have put forth. It seems you have all the ingredients to get through a New England winters evening. Including a fine meal of comfort. Be careful not to disturb Oliver.
Alan
ReplyDeleteSpring can't get here fast enough for me!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I'll feel the same way right after Christmas and New Years.
Nice photos! However, the weather forecast looks far from wintery for the next 2 weeks. There may even be a few days where those bombers might tempt a brookie.
ReplyDeleteAhawn
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Shawn your right about the milder weather. I just may try that bomber.
Alan, we are getting a bit of reprieve weather-wise lately, and I make use of it getting out fishing when I can. Maybe only a couple hours per trip, but that suits me fine. Any fish caught is a bonus. Beautiful photos. Amazing how bright red those berries are.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Sam
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Sam two hours of stream time at this time of year is heaven sent. Just being able to get the chance to "fool" one is all one can ask. Some of those berries look like they have eyes.
very good photo and interesting your desktop to tie flies Alan, have fun in this cold winter season, and take care, a hug ..
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando that photo was really neat, most times it's covered in feathers. It's a cold one this morning 24 degrees f
Just remember Alan, a clean tying bench is a sign of sick mind. I have more flies than I can possibly use up but I keep tying. I tie up a simple soft tackle pattern for give aways: pheasant tail tail and body, brass wire wound up to small peacock herl collar, partridge hqckle. Easy/peasy.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John we seem to be in lock step on this. It's somewhat of a comfort on a cold night and the simple files created will enhance someone's chances of catching a trout.