A crisp day.

Yesterday was one of those wonderful crisp mornings of early fall. I went downstairs opened the door and put my head out I could feel the chill. We have had a few chilly ones this month but this was by far the coolest. After some oatmeal and coffee I headed out for the stream. It was still dark as I drove, but one could see the sky starting to shed light. I arrived streamside and it was light enough to do what was needed to get ready for a few hours of angling. As I said it was a chilly morning, so chilly I had to wear my fleece jacket on top of the flannel shirt I had on.

I made my way to the water and tossed out the fly. It was a Bomber, cause that's what was tied on from the previous outing. Working the pool I soon realized a fly change was needed. So I tied on a Picket Pin wet. I put several of these in my box the night before for they were what I had been tying for a future trip to Maine.

Well it didn't take long on the third cast as the fly was just under the surface a swirl was seen but the fish missed it. A few casts later and the brookie was hooked. A cool crisp Autumn morning and a wild brook trout in hand.

In a short but deep pool I sent the wet fly on a mission. It was a location that looked to be a good place for a brookie to hold. The strike came and the battle began. Several times I brought the fish close and several times he would have none of it. Finally I gained control and was able to put my hand in the water and lift the surprise fish up. It turned out to be a brown of somewhat generous size. I admired him and sent him on his way.

As it turned out the Picket Pin was to be the only fly needed this day. It was a fine Autumn day.

Waters of Color

There are many small streams in Connecticut that hold wild brook trout. This one is a special one, I shouldn't say that because all of them are. What I should say is that its surroundings are special. Its located in northwest Connecticut and its a freestone stream. I don't know its origin but can give a guess, some spring fed swamp, with help along the way. The true beauty of this stream is the hemlock forest it flows through. The smell of a hemlock forest is hard to describe, it can be so sweet with that evergreeen fragrance, and also have that boggy, peat odor almost like an old ash tray.

The stream was flowing nicely over stones, logs and various other obstacles. A check of the water temp gave a reading of 58 degrees. I tied on a Bomber and started prospecting. The fly was hit repeatedly but by small fish who could not be hooked. After thinking a bit I changed to a wet fly, a Picket Pin, and sent it through a pool. The fly was met with the same result of hits from small fish.

I continued to fish under a canopy of large hemlocks, which at times made the area as dark as night. I came to a pool, the water flowing over a boulder and several sunken logs. The water color seemed to look like iced tea. That swift run is where I found the bigger brook trout. They were holding in the fast water behind any boulder or tree that gave cover.

The tannin waters of this stream, cold and clean.

Wild brook trout. Most of the fish taken were this size, but I'm confident there are a few larger.

Again I am so appreciative of such places, and of the special rewards they give.

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It's Saturday

In the latest issue of Trout Magazine there is an article on brook trout streams in Virginia. It tells of the dropping levels of acid in the streams. There are wonderful articles on a Classic, The "Adams" dry fly, and brown trout by Dave Whitlock.

I want to mention I met a follower of "small stream reflections" while fishing the Farmington the other evening. He's from Rhode Island. We had a wonderful conversation about small streams and wild brook trout. He is a believer in the Picket Pin, and it's ability to attract brook trout.

A few words about Uncle Aaron's Tackle Shack. This shop is located in Riverton CT. not far from the general store. The first time I ventured in I was made to feel right at home. Aaron is from Riverton and has knowledge of the area dating back many years, and is happy to share. There's some of Alan's aka "Brk Trt's" photos and flies there too. Anglers when in the area stop by and say hello.

A wonderful shack to sit and converse.

Zucchini. This is not the boring green squash they serve boiled or steamed in tomato soup as a side dish. This is the real deal.

The zucchini is cut in half then the center is hollowed out like a canoe. The meat that is removed is sauteed with onion, garlic and shrimp. When soft it's mixed with bread and seasoned. It is then stuffed into the zucchini shells placed in a roaster, covered with a tomato sauce and cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes and enjoy.

It can be placed as is on a grinder roll, with a few hot peppers for a great sandwich.

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"Rain"

Sunday in the New England area we received a substantial rainfall. Most places received two and a half to three plus inches of rain. With the rise in water levels the trout were able to move freely up and down stream. The heavy rains also washed in a considerable amount of food, plus moved plenty of in stream food. This combination brought about a selective feeding pattern.

I was able to bring a few brookies to hand by using a variety of flies from dries to wets and I had few chase a streamer. This was a welcomed rain.

The Bomber worked at times.

Every time out I see more Spring time beauty. Brook Trout Forest is starting to shape up.

This little jewel took a Picket Pin.

Now if Mother Nature can provide an inch or so of rain each week, it will be appreciated by all.

Nor'Easter, the Aftermath

On October 29th Connecticut experienced a Nor'easter like it has never witnessed.
The storm left as much as a foot of heavy wet snow which covered tree limbs, which still had almost full leaf cover. The trees cracked from the weight and took down wires. At the end of the storm 833,000 homes and business' were without power.
I had no power or heat for 6 days, and I was fortunate, thousands still had no power as of Monday. Restoration crews were here from all over the United States and Canada, for which I an very thankful.

This post is also about how a small stream fared in the aftermath of this storm.
As I entered the wood I could see some of the damage. Trees were down all over, many of them fell into the tiny stream. Leaves were in the water and covered the bottom like a mosaic art. Tree limbs floated down until they got hung up, leaves followed and created large dams. Some of these will be blown away with a heavy rain, but some will remain. They may prove to be beneficial, providing, deep wintering pools for the trout.
As I finish a cup of black Nantucket Blend coffee, hoping it takes effect to enable me to complete this post. I realize it's not me who is slow, it's my computer.

Some of the damage to the little stream.

I did manage to drop a fly or two in between trees and found the trout very hungry.

I was surprised to see this guy around. Several hard frosts, two snow events.... he's a survivor.

These are the flies that worked so well....Picket Pin, the one on the right is what they are supposed to look like, the other was retired after the long battle.

One of the rewards of small streams. He to is a survivor of many storms.

Natures reconstruction, for better or worse....time will tell.