More Small Streams, More Brookies, And.....

I paid a visit to one of the streams I fish, I was not sure what to expect. I had not fished here since early June, but after getting some much needed rain I figured this was a good time to check it out. As I started my walk to the stream I was able to hear running water which is always good. Getting close I could see the stream looked good. The pools were full and the water was flowing nicely through the riffles. I took out the thermometer for what would be the test as to weather or not I fished. I tossed it into one of the pools and it came back with a reading of 58, great.

Working here it did not take long before I had a willing trout. Several would come from this short stretch.

A wild jewel, such highlights, that bluish tint just awesome.

This stream has two sections, the red barn, and the family secret. Having fished the red barn I was off to fish the family secret. Before that I always stop at a little country store that has one of Connecticut's best coffee's. A cup of Hadlyme blend and to the parking lot I went.

Walking the path to the stream the destruction to the trees from the gypsy moth caterpillar was evident, luckily the trees seemed to regenerate somewhat.

The stream here seems to move slower and has some deeper pools.

In those pools dwell these. One was even rising to, well who knows. To watch trout rise is a pleasure.

In this rather picturesque pool I caught what was a first in this stream.

A very small largemouth bass. When one finds such a fish in brook trout water it not good. I hope that was a fluke and that there will be no others.

Next Time You Open Your Fly Box Use The First Fly

We have the good fortune of one of the finest tailwaters in the northeast. The Farmington River is a gem but it can get crowded especially on weekends. I have fished certain places on the river where I can find solitude all week, and last Sunday when I drove to that spot there were 3 gents fishing in that sweet spot.

So yesterday I drove past the river and fished someplace where I know the crowds are not. I would like to tell you I had a banner day in terms of fish caught but that's not true. The banner was flying in how many were taken on a certain fly. There are times when I'll open my fly box and a certain fly catches my eye, most times I skip that fly and choose another, this day I tied on that first fly.

The fly chosen was a size 14 soft hackle dry fly. It gave me the chance to bring a hand full of these guys to hand. They were all about the same size but were a joy on the GCR 3wt.

I was also pleasantly surprised to hook this rainbow. Don't know how long it was in the water, but it was some time. It had perfect fins and a gorgeous spotted tail.

Pretty simple fly.

I found the solitude I was seeking, but one other fisherman showed up later. I think he was a local.