"Bandaids"

A few weeks ago while fishing a small stream that ran through a wildlife management area, I noticed a group of children and a few adults talking near the stream. They walked to the streams edge and I could hear one of the adults talking about the various residents of the stream. When I was asked about how my fishing was going by one of the instructors, I said just fine. He explained that it was a class field trip, which I thought was a great idea, get them out for a first hand experience.

While continuing to fish I soon hooked a brook trout. Bringing the fish in, I asked the teacher if they would like to see one of the streams most beautiful residents. He said yes, and all of the children gathered streamside. As I gently lifted the brookie from the water, and their eyes saw this fish, there was a look of amazement, and joy. They all wanted to touch the trout but I put him back into the stream and told them about how he would be much better off there.
While this was going on one of the children stepped on my rod and broke it.
Having noticed this I tried to lift it up and walk back to my fishing, not wanting them to see the broken rod. As they stepped back, they all said thank you mister.

Looking at where the rod was broken I decieded it could be possibly repaired. When I reached my car I looked for some tape, duck,or adhesive. I had none. Then I saw a first aid kit and it had bandaids in it, so I soon repaired the rod with a few bandaids, and off I went to fish that little stream for a few hours. I was going to send the rod out for repair, but I may just keep it as a reminder of a special day.

An on site learning experience.

The broken St. Croix Avid

The repairs made, and fishing resumed



Two Streamers

These are two fine streamers that were created by Dave Goulet from Massachusetts. Dave is an outstanding fly tyer and owner of the Classic and Custom Fly Shop, on the Farmington River in New Hartford,CT. He operated this shop until his retirement a year or so ago.

The first streamer is the "Mobey Dick". I have fished this fly for years and it's a streamer that gets attention. It's fished in the normal way of fishing streamers, and can also be fished as a wet fly too. In times of high water I have placed a split shot just above the eye of the hook and have had good results sort of bouncing it off the bottom.

The second streamer is the "Brown Olive Ghost". It's a featherwing streamer tied in the Rangeley Style. This streamer is featured in G. Hilyards book "Carris G. Stevens". Its's a beautiful fly, and a productive one I'm sure, although I have never fished it.
I tied both of these streamers, and they are not extremely difficult to tie. The "Mobey Dick" can be found in the fly shops of CT and MA I'm pretty sure. The "Brown Olive Ghost" is a streamer that might have to be tied for you by a fly tyer.



Small Stream Journal Entry 5/12/11

On this outing I had a new companion. A new small stream rod.
I picked this up for a good price. It's a TFO Signature Series, 6ft 2wt. It had a few cosmetic scratches on the reel seat and the out the door price 62.00. It worked very well on its maiden trip.

This plunge pool produced several nice fish, and several nice Bomber flies also met with an underwater demise.

This little run gave up a few brookies. As the fly drifted to the tail of the pool and was allowed to pop up in the broken water, it was to much for those brookies to pass up.

Two beautiful wild jewels, from a free flowing healthy freestone stream.

These are salmon cakes we enjoyed that evening. The recipe was from, "FISH ON---FISH OFF" blog. They were simply delicious.



"Bits and more Bits" 5/11/11

Some of my thoughts and ramblings on small streams, books, food, flies and wild trout. There are times when I'll hit a stream, wanting to fish, and then instead of doing so I'll just wander about. I'll toss the fly in a promising stretch of water, then lift the fly out and put it in the hook holder, then find a place to sit and just take it all in.
The birds, trees, toads, the water as it cascades over the rocks, and at times the splashy rises of wild brook trout attempting to secure a meal. These are tonics to refresh ones mind and soul.

The beauty of a plunge pool.

For those who love wild trout and the small streams they inhabit, I reccomend this book. Well done, with nice photos.

An outstanding sandwich my friends. Pastrami heated in a skillet, placed on rye bread, and topped with swiss cheese.

A brook trout that fell to a reversed parachute emerger. I tie these in size 14 and 16 with various colored dubbings, and hackles.

These are "Bombers". I believe they are the best fly to take wild trout from small streams. I tie these in size 14 and 16, but there is no doubt size 14 is tops.