As I Fish

"Moose Pond"

There's not been many ventures along the small streams as of late. I did manage a little trek on my home waters last week after some considerable rain swelled it to where a fly could be floated. Most of the reflections have come from some lakes and a beautiful pond. The fish have been smallmouth, sunfish and a few perch. While none of these were of trophy proportions they were a blast to catch. When you gear your tackle to the size fish you target it makes for some real exciting hookups.

There was top water hits, and most came from these.

Places as these are very comforting to the eye and soul.

These fellows liked the fly under the surface. When taken and hooked they did an act that would rival an Olympic athlete.

Could they be Oysters?....Perhaps snow?

The "Barred Trout" as they were called by "Joe Haines" in James Prosek's book "Young Love and Brook Trout" they are a strong fighter.

A plan for no trout fishing.....

Well I don't really care for the hottest day of the year coming on September eighth, but that's what happened. I was up and out early to check a few streams and see if I might be able to coax a brookie or two to the fly. I Checked the flows which were pretty good and then the thermometer came out and that's when I knew there would be no trout fishing today. The reading was 66 degrees, that's my cutoff. Normally the Farmington River would be next but the DEEP is doing a survey of the stream and has cut the flows way back so they can achieve the results they have planned.

We have been in a rain deficit for some time and the last two weeks have been 100% sunshine along with hot temperatures and a bit of nasty humidity thrown in. There is some relief in the forecast for the end of the week with T-storms, and back to normal temps for September..

With the cold water action on hold I paid a visit to Hogback for some warm water fishing. The lake was very calm and from time to time I could see a fish break the surface. I could not determine what was rising but I could not pursue for I was land based. I was rigged already with my trout setup, a Spikey and a soft-hackle. Around a dozen casts and a solid strike.

After several "earth shattering" leaps and runs I brought to hand a nice little smallmouth.

I was to fish this lake for an hour or so and brought to hand about a dozen of these little scrappers. All of them a blast on the Eagleclaw 6'6" 4wt. A funny side note, they were all taken on the "Spikey"