Some Facts And Favorites

This is a few words about a favorite subject of mine, the wild brook trout. While fishing for them a few weeks ago in Maine I was able to get some information about them which I will bring to you at various times. When the European settlers arrived here the brook trout was in almost every stream and lake. Today they only occupy 9% of their historic range. In most states they have been pushed back into tiny head water streams, such as the one pictured above. These streams provide the "cold and clean" waters needed for their survival. These are true "natives" and need our help to continue to survive.

A Connecticut wild brook trout stream. The only litter that should be present is what nature puts in them.

The "Wardens Worry" This is a bucktail created by Warden Supervisor Joseph Stickney of Saco, Maine in 1930. It's a simple bucktail that requires few materials. I tie them in sizes 8 to 12. They have the ability to persuade trout and other game fish.

This time of year with all of the fairs and festivals happening one cannot help from straying from what they should be eating and what tastes good. This is a sweet treat that is available once a year to me. "Apple Fritters". We purchased them at a apple harvest festival Friday. The festival has been a tradition in the town of Southington, CT. for 40 years. Southington is home to many apple orchards.

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Maine 2012 Part Three

There are many small streams to explore, and many of them have good populations of brook trout. The fish run from 4 to 6 inches on average. In many of these streams my first choice offering was a Bomber dry fly, and to my surprise it was rejected. It did not draw a strike at all. I tried several other dries, EH Caddis, and Stimulators, flies that have worked well in the past. I decided to throw a few wet flies and see if they worked. Well I did not have to wait to long for an answer. Soon several brookies were at hand.

One of the pleasures of fishing these little streams is the ability to fish without waders.A pair of hiking boots, sling pack and fly rod, and you can rock hop to your hearts content.

There are those times when you may slip on one of those rocks, your reward is a dip in ice cold water.

A refreshing mountain morning...from the front porch of our cabin.

Some of the wet flies that worked well. Sizes 12 to 16, with the yellow winged ones working best.

A brook trout from a small stream taken on a wet fly.

A forecaster of weather. Perhaps I should have fished a woolly worm.

An incredible fish holding pool.

Wild brook trout, perhaps my best fish of the trip. Taken on a small wet fly.

Taking time to enjoy. Jeanette and I both agree this is THE BEST ice cream in New England.

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Maine 2012, Part Two

In this photo is a lake that can be seen through the trees. This lake has several streams flowing into it that enable the lake dwelling brook trout to spawn. Many of the streams have permanent residents that will live out their lives in the stream but many that return to the lake to grow large feeding on the smelt that live in the lake.

This one tributary starts high above the lake in the mountains. It's several miles long and is quite thick and brushy in areas. I have fished a good portion of the stream over the years.

On this morning I decided to fish an area that is close to where the stream accesses the lake. It's about a half mile or so from the lake. There were several good holding pools along this stretch and I was going to try them. The choice of flies would be streamers, and the choice would be narrowed down to two patterns the Gray Ghost and the Black Ghost.

I tie streamers as many of you who read this blog know. So I was well prepared with a streamer box full of flies ready for action. The only problem was that they were on my desk back in Connecticut. I had forgot to pack them. I had one or two in my wet fly box but I found it necessary to purchase a few locally.

Of the two patterns the Black Ghost was the streamer they hit with gusto. Most of the brook trout were taken on this pattern.

In this run leading to a deep pool I cast the streamer. As the fly drifted to just beyond the fallen log towards the stone. The fly ended its drift. As it lay there in the current for a second or two a brook trout came up an took the fly. A battle took place with the trout heading for the bottom, he stood his ground and it felt has if I had hooked a large log. I knew this was a large fish. Several minutes passed and the pressure was taking its toll on the trout. I retrieved my net has the fish came to the surface. My first glance at him was breath taking. The thing I remember most was the deep orange of his belly. He flipped and made another run for the deep hole which was his lie. I brought him back towards me and as I slid the net into the water I realized I'm going to need a bigger net. Well I managed to get him in, he was folded like a pretzel. I lay the net in the water and he rested there as I reached for my camera. As I brought the camera the trout just turned in the net and swam off. The streamer had come loose and that was it. I estimate the brook trout weighed about four pounds. I do not have a photo of him, but that memory is etched in my mind.

A brook trout in spawning colors. Incomparable beauty.

The drive is almost as beautiful as the brook trout.

Clam "chowdah" served to us in the beautiful Rangeley Inn. Elegance in the Maine woods.

Part 3 to come.

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Maine 2012, Part One

This is a trip I have been waiting to take for a few years. We have been going to this region of Maine for many years, an annual trip. The last two years it was put on hold because of various reasons, but there was no denying this year.

As we entered Errol N.H. the skies opened up with rain, hail and wind. This was not supposed to happen. Stopping in at L.L.Cote to buy my license and pick up a few items, I was told the weather was going to get better and it did. The sun soon broke out and it stayed out for a few days.

This area has so many named hot spots to fish and with these hot spots comes anglers, lots of anglers. I selected a few logging roads to travel and found some interesting looking water. The selection of Stimulator proved to be the ticket.

A Maine wild brook trout. The first of many to grace my hand in the days to come.

The small streams were flowing well. The water temps were in the fifties. It is a pleasure to fish a stream in solitude.

The brook trout were in spawning colors. They were very aggressive and hit streamers when presented.

I could toss flies all day and not get a bump, and would walk away pleased.

So many streams lined with various colors.

It's wonderful to see such beautiful brook trout from such a small stream.

This is the first part of my Maine 2012 trip. More to come.

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