Springtime brookies

I recently visited a local stream that has some beautiful small wild brook trout.  In the late afternoon there have been numerous caddis dropping their eggs and the fish have taken kindly to the EC caddis pattern.  They may be small, but to me they are one of the most beautiful fish to behold (and these pictures do not do them justice).

Easter browns

I went to a Class 1 stream today to see if the conditions had improved since I was last there (yesterday).  The water had dropped to a much more reasonable level and the fishing was a little bit better.  Three fish came to hand, all falling for wet flies.  Although there was some insect activity, the Ausable Bomber was ignored (and abandoned).  This was my second use of the ECHO Glass 6'9" 2wt and I am becoming very impressed with it.

2015's first fish

Yesterday 2015 was rung in with our customary New Year's Day fishing trip.  This year four of us were greeted with sub-freezing temperature and patches of ice on the stream.  Undaunted, we worked our way upstream and back, landing a few wild brookies along the way.  In spite of the cold it was a good time on the water.

December brookies

I went to a new site (for me) on Friday with Mark and was treated to fishing a beautiful stream that was home to some remarkable wild brookies.  As Mark mentioned (Fishing Small Streams blog), the conditions were seemingly not conducive to fishing with dries, but fortunately the residents could be enticed using subsurface flies like the Picket Pin and San Juan worm (aka Pinkie).  While I didn't catch a lot of fish, the size of those that I did was very impressive.  This stream is home to some sizable wild brookies that are more than willing to take the fly.  I can't wait to have another go at this wonderful stream.

The leaves can wait

Rather than do my leaves for the third time I opted to visit some new water.  Having heard from a fellow DEP seasonal employee that this stream has wild brookies, I figured that after the rain on Monday it was time to give it a try.  Unlike the first time a went there, this time there was a sufficient amount of water flowing to warrant wetting a fly.  I was able to catch and release four brookies using a picket pin, all being the size pictured below.  Having plans to meet Mark at another stream prevented me from fully exploring this stream but I intend to go back as soon as I can.

After meeting Mark midday at one of our favorite small brooks, I was treated to fish that were inspired by size 18 parachute patterns (like the Purple Haze that Mark loaned me).  Unfortunately the water level is still very low, a somewhat depressing sight.  At least we were able to see up close some of the stream's beautiful inhabitants.

Wild browns

Having electrofished this stream twice this month, I can say with certainty that it is home to numerous sizable wild browns.  Our most recent survey of the stream revealed the presence of an 18 inch kiped male, colored up beautifully for the fall breeding season.  Since this is a tributary to a major river this fish was probably a visitor.  I can also say with certainty that I don't seem to fish the stream very well, although the recent temperature drop may be part of the problem.  I'll need to work on my tactics and fly selection to be able to catch more of the stream's impressive residents.

A brookie a day....

If I were fortunate enough to see a beautiful wild brook trout every day I'd always have a smile on my face.  Maybe.