T-Shirts, Dry Flies, and Other Fine Things

It is the 5th of January, the air temp outside is 24 degrees, with a high expected of 35. The last few days have been cold, with the rest of winter still looking at us, and that's not a good thought.
Winter is a season that seems to last forever, I guess it's the cold that slows its retreat.

Winter fishing can be enjoyable at times when a day of moderating temps can make us feel better, along with the fish. It puts them on a slight feed for a brief time. It's at that time  we seek them fishing with weighted nymphs, a style of fishing that is on the low end of the ladder for me as ways to fish.

So all though winter is here I'm thinking of times of walking streams in t-shirts, seeking brook trout in the shade of hemlocks, and deep green moss covered stones. When these small streams give up their meager insect life to start a new cycle. When land based inch worms and crickets fall into the water bringing fish to the surface. This time is my time, a time when a few simple dry flies work magic, allowing me to cradle a brook trout.

Well the Nantucket has taken effect and the dream ended......for now.

At these times one box of flies is all that is needed. A few favorites and a few new ones to try.

On occasion these small stream are slowed and form a sort of pond. This is at times caused by beavers or by large logs and woody debris. These ponds can be full of rising brookies at times. If you are able to approach these rising fish without a disturbance and you are able to place you fly just right, it will be gone in an instant.

If you are able to lift you rod, clear the vegetation, and keep tension on the fish, you'll be able to hold one of natures treasures.

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New Years Day, 2012

For the second year in a row a group of anglers who love small streams and the wild trout who live in these streams get together to fish the first day of the new year.
The stream we chose was a Connecticut Class 1 wild trout stream. A wild trout stream that author and artist James Prosek fished and wrote about in several of his books. It's a beautiful stream with lots of pools and riffles.
We gathered at the stream, exchanged a years worth of stories while enjoying hot coffee and donuts. We then dressed for a few hours of fishing. We split up with Pete and Kirk going upstream, and John and I fishing downstream.
Fishing for an hour or so I saw John working his way back to me. He stood on the bank and said lets move upstream and meet up with Pete and Kirk. As we walked along we told each other the happenings so far. We both had taken brook trout and missed others.
We finally met up with Kirk and Pete and were told fishing was good to them. We all walked together to the parking area for lunch...Sausage and Peppers, brownies and beverages. While eating we all commented on the weather, 50 degrees, bright sunshine, no wind, and no snow. Pete told us of the fly that was a killer on this day. A fly that he is a master of. The Bead Head Soft Hackle. As it turned out it was the top fly that day.

We fished again, and as the day wore on, some had to leave. Saying so long we ended this New Years Day with our first brook trout of the year.

Classic small stream trout water.

John, Kirk, and Pete.....the three wise men.

We were joined by another angler.

In this beautiful pool, I was able to take my first brook trout of the 2012. He was fooled by a midge pattern.

A wild jewel...

Thank guys for a fine day...New Years Day, 2012

Simple...and Keeping It That Way

When I started fly fishing gear was a must, so I thought. Every necessary gadget was a must, every fly I could fit into a fly box had to be there, there were sink tips, DT floating lines weight forward lines, and full sinking lines, and the list went on and on. While this amount of tackle might be necessary for the angler who seeks trout in rivers, rivers that require several stages of insects from nymph to spinner, fishing for ever so selective trout.
I soon chose to seek wild trout from small sometimes tiny creeks. Trout that are not selective as to what is presented to eat, but how it is presented. It is these trout that give me a greater reward, these four to ten inch fish, trophy's all.

One of the reasons I enjoy writing this blog is to tell of the pleasures of small stream fishing. To try to encourage others to seek small stream trout. And to show respect for these residents and the habitats they call home.

A simple downwing Hornberg. Three materials are all that's required. A fine rod and reel to present the fly. Just about all that's needed.

The Hornberg. It worked then, and still works today.



As simple a pasta dish can get. It works now as it did when I was a kid.

Streamers 365.....

Beginning January 1st, 2012 a feature is about to begin. It is a feature that took a year to create.
Streamers 365 is the work of Darren MacEachern, a streamer tyer from Canada. Last year he asked fly tyers from all over the world to submit streamers they tied, both classics and freestyle. The response was great and the feature will be launched New Years Day.
Any one who loves these long flies, their history and beauty will enjoy this feature.

I hope you will stop by at http://streamers365.com/ and enjoy this work of art...new streamers daily.

I was asked to contribute 3 of my streamers to this wonderful feature, and was humbled to be in such a group of streamer artisans.

HAPPY NEW YEAR