An Outing For The Birds.....Salvaged

Yesterdays outing proved to be one of the more interesting ones this year. I arrived at the river late afternoon, I chose a section that was fast flowing and narrow, with plenty of shade. I tied on a Bomber and started fishing. After many casts I had no interest paid to the fly I offered. I continued to move down stream and the result was the same. While fishing I could hear the crowing of a rooster. I looked around and I could see nothing. Continuing to move and the rooster kept up his morning talk in the afternoon growing louder all the while. Convinced I should seek a more productive area of river to fish I climbed out of the stream a walked to my car. As I approached my car I could see a rooster in the brush looking at me. Not knowing what he was going to do I walked slowly while taking my camera out to take his picture. He had some beautiful badger hackles, and seemed to be OK with me there.

Just as I was going to place my rod in the car and leave a Jeep pulled in and the gent said my name. I did not recognize him. He stepped out and introduced himself as The Fisherman. He was a gent I had been conversing with on a fly fishing forum for years. He was there with his young son and they were about to do some fishing. It felt good to finally meet him.

Moving to another area I soon realized I was in the company of another bird. A Blue Heron was working the shallows for his dinner.

Well let me see if I can get on with the fishing. This was to be one of those evenings, all good, but for who. I fished four different areas of the river, using a variety of flies. I had numerous fish rise to the fly and missed. I had many hookups, some of the fish put on great fights, but not a one to hand. I must be loosing it.

At the final spot I fished, as the day was coming to an end. I drifted a CDC caddis down a broken piece of river. I could see the nose of the trout under the fly. He followed it for a second and then he took it. A few strong runs and a leap or two and he was in my net. A photo and a few moments to help get his composure back and off he went.

Well maybe I'm not loosing it after all.

A CDC Caddis Rainbow.

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It's Saturday

In the latest issue of Trout Magazine there is an article on brook trout streams in Virginia. It tells of the dropping levels of acid in the streams. There are wonderful articles on a Classic, The "Adams" dry fly, and brown trout by Dave Whitlock.

I want to mention I met a follower of "small stream reflections" while fishing the Farmington the other evening. He's from Rhode Island. We had a wonderful conversation about small streams and wild brook trout. He is a believer in the Picket Pin, and it's ability to attract brook trout.

A few words about Uncle Aaron's Tackle Shack. This shop is located in Riverton CT. not far from the general store. The first time I ventured in I was made to feel right at home. Aaron is from Riverton and has knowledge of the area dating back many years, and is happy to share. There's some of Alan's aka "Brk Trt's" photos and flies there too. Anglers when in the area stop by and say hello.

A wonderful shack to sit and converse.

Zucchini. This is not the boring green squash they serve boiled or steamed in tomato soup as a side dish. This is the real deal.

The zucchini is cut in half then the center is hollowed out like a canoe. The meat that is removed is sauteed with onion, garlic and shrimp. When soft it's mixed with bread and seasoned. It is then stuffed into the zucchini shells placed in a roaster, covered with a tomato sauce and cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes and enjoy.

It can be placed as is on a grinder roll, with a few hot peppers for a great sandwich.

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Small Stream Pleasure, in a Large River

As summer takes hold in Connecticut with temperatures in the nineties and little rainfall except for a stray thundershower, I have pretty much left the small streams be. Choosing to fish a larger and cooler river I have enjoyed the ability to take much larger trout. These trout are stocked and holdover fish that have grown big on the abundant food found in the river. In recent years there have been catches of wild browns in this river. Documented tales of spawning trout. In years past I have fished this river in the fall. In those areas where small tribs have entered I have taken some wild brookies, most of which have been small. The last two years have brought a few 12 inch brook trout to hand. Somethings happening here, and it's all good.

Monday late afternoon and evening I visited this river, choosing to fish its upper most reaches. The sun was hot when I entered the water. As I dropped the thermometer into the stream to find out what I suspected. The temp read 56 degrees. The air temp was around 90, but a foot above the water I'll bet was 60. The first half hour produced nothing. I worked a good piece of water before moving down stream. While fishing a fast run I got my first rise, hookup, and LDR.

This was going to be one of those outings that I write about in my journal.

As the sun started to set it produced shadows on the stream. Within the shadows were these pockets of flowing water near the sides of the river. As I cast the Bomber into these pockets I was to given the chance to catch wild beauty that is generally found in the small streams I fish.

"Bombers" they will catch fish where ever they're fished.

This is of natural making. It's dark green back was beautiful. It battled with such tenacity. And a second after this photo was taken he was in the water leaving the Bomber in my finger. Several of these were taken this evening.

As I fished I noticed a shadow moving in the woods along the far side. Another angler was ruled out because the woods would have been difficult to navigate. As I watched, trying to see what was moving I still could not determine what it was. It was starting to get dark and I was going to leave shortly, perhaps because of unknown movement in the woods, but I choose to stay a while longer.

The decision to stay was a good one for I was rewarded with this wild handsome brown. His red highlights as he lay in the water were gorgeous. He took the Bomber along side of a fallen tree. I hope I have the chance to see what this brown looks like in a few years.

A little celebration for this outing. To wild trout in The Farmington.

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Happy Birthday America

Wishing all a Happy 4th of July. The fly "America" was created and dressed by Roger Plourde.

The hot dog created and eaten by Brk Trt. Happy Birthday America.