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.

Some Things, a Bit Odd, Well Maybe

When I was growing up this guy was very familiar.

Over the course of time spent fishing I have taken many photos. Some of them of real interesting, and some well you say to yourself why did I take that picture.
These are a few photos of some of my odd, I mean photos that I took that had no special meaning but after looking at them much later are not to bad.

An old Medalist. Lots of turns of the handle with this one....still going strong.

A head on view of some workers.

The black and white version of two of the best.

Everything sweet.

An old covered bridge. It spans the headwaters of the Connecticut River in Northern New Hampshire.

First Snow in Brook Trout Forest

Thursday, October 27th the day started off with rain, and it became heavy at times. As the day went on it became colder and the rain turned to snow. It looked very pretty as it coated the trees and grass. This was only a dusting but it was the first snows in brook trout forest.

Friday found me walking into the woods with the sound of crunching snow underfoot.
The stream looked like sparkling diamonds in the sunlight as it rushed over the rocks
and logs along its banks.
I had already decided that I was going to fish dry flies, why not it was perfect timing, first snow there has to be a hatch coming. No but I enjoy fishing dries and brook trout are usually willing to eat most anything that could be a meal.
As the flies drifted through the streams little seams and pools there were rises and a few chases, and on few of them I was rewarded with a trout to hand.

It was a fine day.

As I stood along this stream I observed at the tail of this pool two brook trout in the process of renewing life. I stayed for a spell and watched. Then moved on without them knowing.

The flies that were selected for this outing.

Wild brook trout. I can never describe my feelings as I admire them. There seems to be a new one though every time I do.

Blog Update

I just want to say I'm back on line.
I have been living without electricity and heat since 3:30pm on Saturday Oct 29th.

I will now try to catch up on all of your blogs, and maybe post one of mine.

Missed all of you.