February 1, 2013

Friday February 1st was my last trip to a small stream. It was a day right out of winters handbook. Steel gray skies, cold temps and a wind to mix things up. I had tied on a dry fly in an attempt to catch a trout and keep my record going of a dry fly trout in every month of the year. There was not even a hint of surface activity, nor did I observe any flies in air or along the bank. I fished many likely spots trying to bring a fish to the surface. At one point in the head of a pool a brookie broke the surface and made an attempt but missed.

With fingers numb, I reached into my fly box for an old friend, a Picket Pin, tied with a red head. I fished this fly as I continued my walk out. As I worked a section of riffles as the fly straightened out I felt the hit. Moments later a beautiful winter brook trout was at hand. His red spots stood out in the cold waters, and his tail seemed to be so perfectly square. Truly a wonder of nature.

A winter dry fly,  Not this day but perhaps the next.

Well worth the effort this winters day.

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Poems, Wallets, And Sea Run Brook Trout

Well Super Bowl Sunday is upon us. My chicken wings are prepped and marinating. Phil the groundhog has made his forecast, which is for an early spring. I'm enjoying my second cup of Nantucket blend and tossing around the thought of fishing, or should I say freezing for a while this day.

In December I did a post on fishing a winter stream. I received many nice comments. One in particular from a follower "tenkara ambassador" really summed up ones feelings about the seasons changing and angling. A short poem that he wrote and I would like to share with you.

" The river willow keeps its gold,

'til taken by Decembers cold,

and the winter long, unseen

fashions its spring mantle, green"

I received this surprise in the mail about a week ago. It was sent to me from Todd over at http://kingfisherriverguides.blogspot.com/. A old fly wallet that was made by LL Bean. It's made of leather and fleece. One can only imagine the streamers and stories it once held. Thanks Todd.

"Rustic Native"

This is a framed photo of a Connecticut Brook Trout. "A Rustic Native"

I would also like to tell you of a wonderful group of anglers, and preservationists. The Sea Run Brook Trout Coalition. They are doing great work on trying to restore the habitats of this truly special brook trout. Check out their web site, and enjoy some the wonderful videos and info they offer. http://www.searunbrookie.org/

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February Thoughts

I turned the calendar this morning. February. This is a good month of the year, at least for me. I look forward to the groundhogs forecast as to the arrival of Spring. February is also my birth month, and we can't forget Valentines Day. Sports wise it's Super Bowl time, and the long awaited start of major league baseball camps. We also honor a couple of great Presidents, Washington and Lincoln.

February is also the last full month of the winter. Meteorological winter ends March 5th. It's also a good month to start fishing a few streamers. As the streams start to inch up a degree or two in temps it also increases the chance of a trout looking to eat a good solid meal. Fish small streamers, sizes 10 and 12. Fish them slowly, and don't hesitate to fish them even in places where you think there are no trout.

There are about 7 or 8 places in this photo where a streamer would be hit. Try fishing small marabou streamers, or a sparse tied bucktail.

This wild jewel took a streamer in the pool above. Can you guess where?

February also brings increased daylight, and one really notices it by the end of the month. More daylight, more time to grill......chicken, or beef?

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A Small Stream, and its Seasons

Each season presents it's challenges and satisfactions. This small stream located in Connecticut's foot hills shows its beauty in two of those seasons. This past weekend we paid a visit to see how winter was treating it. We were in the midst of a deep freeze and the stream showed the results of the cold. Shelf ice was pretty evident and in some places completely covered the stream. In other areas there could be seen a nice flow of open water.

As I stood looking at the stream I wondered how its wild residents were holding up. Was it at a point where the cold would so bad that it would hamper life. Food sources would be hard to get, and staying alive would be a challenge to say the least. I then said to myself,..these are wild brook trout, they have chosen this place to live, and they will survive and flourish here just as they have for years. I am thankful there are still these small streams where in most cases they will be protected to do as they have been doing since they took up residence here so long ago.

The same stream in a kinder gentler season. Mid spring, insects aplenty. The stream flows at a cool friendlier pace, and the harsh winter is just a fast fading memory.

It is in this section of stream where I'll cast a "Bomber" dry fly, perhaps where the tree is. And a wild brook trout will rise and make my day.

You need but one to hand.

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