So much more to it friends.

For those who follow this blog know very well it's based pretty much on the simple side of fly fishing and life. I'm not a complicated person and I try to keep my ramblings the same. I have posted some photos here which show how I feel about life and angling.

While the focus of fishing is the fish we pursue, there is so much more to it. I believe one could fish and not catch anything and walk away fulfilled. I know I have.

A big river, take a tiny section toss a fly and be surprised. Or sit down and have a soda and just look.

A small fly shop. One could spend hours here, not shopping but talking. Amazing stories have been passed here.

Simple flies waiting to perhaps tell a story of success.

Camp life. A simple meal of "Rice-a-Roni", with time to talk of the days happenings.

New friends are made. They don't care if you fish bamboo, glass or graphite. Just come back again, and leave the wild apples alone.

One peak after another, each with a stream running down. Is there time to fish them.

Brook trout paradise. A scene like this will clear ones head of winters grip.

Maine has many treasures. This is one of the simplest as well as one of the finest. Giffords, Farmington, Maine.

Small Stream Hair Wing Streamers

This is another group of streamers designed for small to medium sized streams. But they are not limited to this size water and can be used in larger rivers, as well as still water.

The material list is quite simple. Mustad streamer hooks, Danville floss, some tinsel, a saddle hackle feather, Jungle Cock, and bucktail.

"Ken Lockwood Streamer"

This streamer is called "Ken Lockwood" streamer. It was named after Ken Lockwood a journalist and conservationist from New Jersey. Ken Lockwood Gorge is the name given to a fine section of the South Branch of the Raritan River in New Jersey.

"BT Special"

This streamer is the "BT Special" it's a fly designed by me for use on the small wild trout streams I fish. Again simplicity is key. The bucktail I used can be used in a variety of ways. Using the gray side I had the base color. Then turning the tail over I obtained a dark brown to almost black color for the second color or top of the streamer. By using the bucktail like this one can tie various colored flies which make for subtle yet very effective contrast.

Bucktails and Bombers

Come quick, look out the window "it's snowing". Yet another "nor'easter" hits Connecticut. Depending where you live wind driven snow in amounts up to 14 inches blanketed the state. I sure hope the thaw comes slowly, flooding we don't need.

So it being a stay home day I spent some time at the vise tying some flies. The boxes are pretty full, and I have ample reserves on the most popular ones. I put a few more streamers in the mix because I think we'll have some high water situations to deal with in the weeks to come.

These are about a simple as it gets. The color combinations should draw interest, especially the "Red and White" bucktail. These are tied on a wonderful little streamer hook that's readily available. Mustad 79580 #10.

As the eyes get older it becomes harder to pick up a fly as it hits the surface of the water. This material makes visibility so much easier. The material is "Aero Dry Wing" by Tiemco. Tied in sparsely with the other wing materials it makes following your fly easier. It comes in various colors, I used pink because it stands out better.

Here's a Ausable Bomber tied with the addition of Aero Dry Wing.

While tying flies a wonderful smell worked its way up the stairs. It was the smell of blueberry muffins. They were a comfort after a hard day at the vise.

Found Some

In these last weeks it has bee very hard to find soft water, that is water that is open. The nights have been in the single numbers and the day not much better with highs at about 20. To go with these cold temps we have had snow events which have put a white blanket down a blanket that will be around for weeks. I'm not complaining though for I see it as insurance we'll have water flowing nicely in our streams. A good snow pack with a slow thaw will put the melt into the water reserve.

Yesterday Jeanette and I took a drive to see if we could find some open water. This was going to be a walking, and photo session, no fishing. After checking a few places we finally found some water that was open and could be fished if one wanted to.

The waters in these streams hit the bell as far as clarity. Along with blue skies and the crisp air it was a winter scene to top all.

A familiar run. This looks wonderful. I guess we picked a good day to walk. The forecast is for a "nor'easter" Thursday with some hefty snow totals............ Back to the vise.

There is actually naked ground on the right, nature will fix that soon enough.