Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fishing Derby, 2013


A few weeks ago was the annual fishing derby at the marina where my daughter and son in law keep there boat. The derby is open to children under 12 and lasts for 2 hours. The marina is located on the Connecticut River which is a fishery that has everything an angler can imagine. When the horn sounds to start the derby the contestants go forth and try to catch the most, the largest, and the smallest. They have several officials who keep the records.

The weather was great and a variety of fish were taken. A cookout of hot dogs and burgers, with all the fixins followed. It was a very enjoyable day.

Several nice crappie were taken.


What we all cut our teeth on. Still colorful, and a battler on light tackle.


Morgan took this guy. She also hooked a pike that easily went a couple of feet long, but after a strong fight the pike won out, his razor teeth cut the line.


Nice largemouth. I might have to sneak down to the marina some evening with a few flies and see what I might catch.

Good job guys.

I would like you to check out this site. http://achalabrookies.wordpress.com

carriestevensct@gmail.com




Sunday, June 16, 2013

"Fathers Day" and Fishing the Day Before

Good morning, and "Happy Fathers Day". Having my cup or three of joe and trying to put this together.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of fishing together with Mark, "fishing small streams" and Kirk, "Trout Quest Redux". The stream selected is a beautiful little stream that winds through some of Connecticut's state land. It's a stream that flows through laurel and hardwoods, with those wonderful fish protectors "hemlocks". With all of the rain received the last few days the stream recovered nicely. The water was swift in places, that's how I like it, preferring those places to pools. The forest was very green and lush, with numerous laurel blooms about. I selected the Ausable Bomber to be the fly of the day, and a good choice it was. Many of the wild inhabitants of the stream slashed and whacked that fly.


In places as such, I could spend a good deal of time just sitting and watching, it's that beautiful.

Runs as such are perfect for the Bomber. The day was a very good one. Enjoying my time with Kirk, and Mark, along with a few wild jewels.


A "Bomber" Brook Trout


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Friday, June 14, 2013

Browns, Brookies, Black Flies, Bombers, and Blossoms

As I write this it's raining again, not has hard as it did last night or during the day Thursday, but none the less rain. I for one am not complaining for the amount of rain we have been getting over the last few weeks has produced some of the best dry fly fishing I have experienced in the last few years. The small streams are full of water, this makes for wild trout not be skittish and lying in those undercuts. The trout have been moving and it seems that where ever you place your fly your going to get a response.

It's quite enjoyable to see the trout rise and swipe at the fly. Many times they miss as it swiftly passes by, but they are determined to eat and will strike at it several more times.

With high water as such perhaps a pair of hippers should be worn, but I chose to wear hiking shoes which were wet and muddy in a few minutes. A couple of days and the synthetic material will be dry and ready for more.

I fished a variety of flies this day, The Black Fly, Bomber, and a few parachutes, all doing very well with bringing fish to the surface.

I knew this stream also held browns for I have caught a few smaller ones at times. But I was totally surprised when this guy struck the Black Fly and put some stress on the superfine rod. The high water brought the brown out of night time feeding. He hit the fly a mere two feet from where I was standing.


A beautiful wild brown. A wonderful catch from any water but a special catch from this small stream.


As I fished further upstream many brookies came to hand.


These brook trout are incredibly beautiful. They seem to be so energetic and full of life.


These turbulent plunge pools are where the Bomber shines. As the fly bounces up from the white water it usually brings a hard strike.


And such was the case here. A small stream blessing, on the Bomber.


The mountain laurel seems to be nearing a peak, and it's worth another look. I hope the rains don't take the blossoms.



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Charles Cotton's "Black Fly" and Some Connecticut Trout

In a post in November of 2010 Rod of "Dry Fly Expert" highlighted a fly that was first tied by Charles Cotton in 1676. It's called simply "Black Fly". Just a few weeks ago Rod did a follow up on the fly and I said I have to try it. I tied up a few, the only thing I left out was the fine silver rib, because I did not have it available. I love the fly because of its simplicity.

I took it out for a test run the other day and was thrilled as to what happened. The moment it hit the water I had a response. There were many more responses that day to the invisible fly, to the angler that is, but not so the fish.

A light rain fell for a while making everything glisten.


With all the rain we've had over the last week the stream was up a great deal. The waters were clear, and several runs and pools have changed a lot.


A wild brook trout that fell for the 350 year old pattern.


This swift run produced several trout. They hit the fly as it floated, and as it was swept under.


Several more wild trout fell for Cottons "Black Fly".



A nice brown was also fooled by the the "Black Fly"

At the end of the day it was proven that this "Black Fly" could take trout. Perhaps it worked the same when Cotton cast it upon his waters.



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