A Connecticut Native

He has been around since the last ice age, proof of this can be seen in the white icy edges of his fins. When the first settlers arrived from Europe they found him in the streams that flowed clean and cold. He was at home in the deep lakes and the beaver ponds, his only threat came from nature.

Soon the growing population of a new nation, and  everything  needed to supply that population began to boom. Towns and cities sprang up on the banks of rivers and streams, The waterways were dammed, mills and factories were built to supply the needs of a growing nation.

The natives homes were becoming less and less. This encroachment caused the native to go into survival mode. He retreated to the headwaters of tiny streams, streams that provided safety from the swell of man. He became prolific in these streams, and at times his numbers exceeded what the little streams could handle. His growth was stunted, for the streams could not provide the food needed to reach larger size. But survive he did.

Today this native is making a comeback. While he may never be the giant in size that he once was, he more than makes up for it in his beauty. His dark green back with worm like markings. His sides are spotted with gold and red dots the latter with blue halos. His fins are orange with edges that are black and tipped with white. His beauty is enhanced come the natives finest season, Autumn the time when his belly is the brightest orange. A true wild jewel of the stream.

I have had a long and wonderful relationship with this native, one I hope will continue.

The Wild Brook Trout.

Brk Trt...Alan Petrucci

The Caddis...A Workhorse.

The Caddis....many a book as well as countless articles have been written about this little fly. The caddis is one of my favorites because when I usually cast it on the stream it almost always brings a strike, and most times just as soon as it touches the surface. Another plus for this fly is that it can be seen most anytime of the year, and that's why it's so readily taken. I love small streams these streams are not insect factories and hatches of mayflies are sporadic at best but I have seen caddis flies on all of the streams I have fished.

The caddis does not have the delicate beauty of the mayfly as it lights on the water but instead it takes on the appearance of a tough lumberjack.

These are a few of my caddis patterns. The first one has an olive thread base with some natural hares mask dubbing. The wing is a badger hackle.

This one has a orange thread base with hares mask dubbing and badger hackle. These differences are minor but you know how some trout are.

This fly uses a thread base, hares mask dubbing along with a few fibers of elk hair and badger hackle.

Here I have used both elk hair, with CDC.

These flies are tied in size 14, and 16 would be good also. I have tied caddis patterns in size 8 and 10 and they work very well. "Are you familiar with my BA Caddis"?

A Woods Walk....New Blue Lines

I was out yesterday walking a few new blue lines. I have been aware of two of these but have never followed up on them. The day was beautiful for doing some hiking, sunny skies and temps near 45. I know this time of year can be a great time to see these streams for with out vegetation in full bloom the access is good, although the fishing can be unpredictable it is still worth the effort.

The first stream I ventured to was located in a valley. The water flow was good but the edges were packed with shelf ice. There were some open spots but it was difficult casting and I lost a few flies to the undetermined currents.

The second stream was not any better. Slippery shelf ice is not good.

The third stream I stopped at was a lot friendlier. It's waters clear, and crisp. The stream was a typical mountain freestone. It had boulders, blow-downs, and some very nice pools. The best featured was there was no ice.

I saw this pool and said if there are wild brook trout in this stream that's where I'll find one.

Sure enough. The brookie struck just as the fly went below the surface. As I released the little jewel into his tangled home I noticed how cold the water felt. Hey it's winter the water should be "cold". I dropped the thermometer into that pool and I could not believe it....33 degrees. We have been having some mild days lately and I would have guessed the streams would have come up temperature wise....something else learned. And another tidbit "they are not all hibernating", keep the whistle handy.

I moved along the stream fishing pockets and plunges. There were bumps and even a few hook-ups.

While not a bad day overall it was still tough to get a feeling on how productive this stream will be, I guess I'll have to check back on it come Spring.

February 1st......

Good morning and Happy February. January is gone and for the most part it has been rather nice to us here in Connecticut, rather gentle temperatures as well as light snow fall. As a small stream fisher I have been able to access the brooks with minimal difficulty and the trout have been in a cooperative mood. Looking out the window and seeing such a bright sunny day I say to myself "why are you typing and not fishing" well I am going to check out a few new blue lines this day and that will be interesting.

I sometimes get carried away when I'm at the tying desk, and here's what I come up with....don't know if they will fool any fish but I know a lake where they just may work.

A featherwing streamer tied with only a few materials. This will probably be a better fish taker.

Have a wonderful day folks......