Transition

Late November is a time of transition in the woods and streams. It also affects us. Darkness comes sooner, we attempt to slow our pace, spend more time together, and prepare for what about to come next.
This is a time when the woods take on what seems to be a time of only one color. That all trees look to be the same, long and short poles of gray. There are no flowers, or green patches of grass along the way. On some days even the sky takes on a gray color blending in with the November earth.
The streams as well as their inhabitants show change. The cold waters full of oxygen seem to be so clear as if you were gazing through air. The trout have for the most part finished their spawning. They have grown thin and must try to gain some weight, before winter tests them. Gone are the brisk splashy rises to a dry fly, and here are the subsurface strikes to a streamer, or the subtle bump of a trout taking a beadhead Pheasant Tail.
Take the time to walk the woods and perhaps a small stream....transition is beautiful.

There is some color, we just have to look.

As I walked this stream,this late November a Woodcock flushed, but did not land....perhaps as if to say goodbye.

Thanksgiving Week Begins

As we head into this Thanksgiving week I had the time this Sunday to visit a small stream. As I walked through the woods I saw this remnant of a rock wall. There are many of these scattered through out Connecticut, property lines from old Yankee farmers reverting back to the earth. As I snapped the photo I wondered how many Thanksgivings had they witnessed.

The stream was in good shape, flowing crisp and clear. The air temps were near 50 degrees, so very comfortable. I tossed out my offering and the stream did the rest.
It was a long time before my first bump, and slowpoke that I am missed setting the hook. But soon another hit and this time ole swifty had my first hookup. A lovely wild brown was at hand. The brown was admired and sent upon its way.
I continued to have a good day, then again I seem to always have a good day on the stream regardless of what the fish provide or don't.

A nice trout was hooked at the tail of this pool. I never was given the opportunity to see what it was for it soon found refuge under the log and broke off.

Two wild browns were taken from this run. They used every possible angle to gain their freedom. They both succeeded, only one had his picture taken.

This guy was taken in the little creek below. I spotted him near a bank and was fortunate to place the fly in his zone, and he took it. As I walked the little creek I saw several other trout.

As I pulled int my garage, I could pick up the smells of something good. Upon entering the kitchen I was greeted with this sight.....Pumpkin Bread...Thanksgiving week has begun.

Some Warmth and Some Thanks

This flannel shirt hangs on the back of the chair at my tying desk. A flannel shirt that was purchased years ago for Christmas. It has kept me warm during many days on the stream and in the field. It has also provided comfort while lashing feathers and hair on countless flies.
A flannel shirt that rarely gets any thought until you feel a chill then it go's into action providing warmth and comfort. I'm happy to have this flannel shirt, and I'm glad I gave it some thought this 30 degree morning.




This is streamer I tied several years ago. It's name is "Rio Yaqui" and it takes the name from a river in Mexico that is home to a beautiful trout.
I'm doing this post because of several paintings, done recently by Joel DeJong and are seen on his blog "A YEAR ON THE FLY". They are wonderful watercolors of western trout. These beautiful trout live in southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
Stop by Joel's blog and see these fine paintings. Also check this link for more on these special trout.

http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/tnhc/fish/research/truchas_mexicanas/

"RIO YAQUI"


I also would like to pass along these links. They are a program that was broadcast on the "Rangeley Lakes". A bit of history about this wonderful place including Carrie Stevens and the Rangeley Streamer.
I would like to thank "DRYFLYGUY" for giving me these links.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r-video/29708489/detail.html

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/29708452/detail.html

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r-video/29708494/detail.html

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/29708491/detail.html

Pie and Worms

"Pork Pie"
This is a pie that I make as the holidays approach. I have been making these for years, a tradition. They are of French heritage, but I was given the recipe from a Russian, who used to work with me. They are delicious as is, or with applesauce, that's the way I like it.


These are some flies that I tied. They are to represent aquatic worms found in most streams. The one on the top tied with peacock herl proved deadly the other day on some wild browns. The others I have not tested.
They are simple patterns to tie and don't require a lot of materials.
The next time your fishing a small stream pick up some of the leaf debris on the bottom of the stream. You'll be surprised whats there.