I'd be lying if I said my last fishing trip wasn't some what disappointing. I had caught what I thought was my first wild NC Brookie only to learn later that it wasn't the case. I tried another stream yesterday that was rumored to hold a good population of fish. I went with low expectations.
The first pool looked great but didn't relinquish any fish. It was the first spot right off the trail. I would have been surprised if I did catch something. I tried several other pools and on my 3rd I actually had a nice rise. The fish hit right at the end of the run just as the fly was about to go over a spillway. The fish was on for a few seconds then came off.
Each pool had a similar scenario. I'd cast and a fish would hit within seconds they'd come off. I wasn't sure if the fly was too big or if I was just doing something wrong. I tried to not think about things so much and enjoyed the view.
Fish continued to hit my fly without getting hooked. Eventually after what seemed like infinite missed strikes a fish was hooked.
Finally! A real NC brookie. The color was so much different than the other fish I caught. Comparing the two there is no question which fish is truly a wild brookie.
With the pressure off the fish seemed to come easier. I was catching more and missing less.
Towards the end of the day in a deep cool I caught my biggest fish. Can you guess which fly I used?
Kevin Outstanding runs you were fishing there, I would guess the dry brown hackle fly was your winner. As for missing the takes, sometime the trout are actually nosing the fly instead of taking in their mouth. This is what I was told by the owner of our local fly shop. I lost your blog for some reason and just now was able to locate you again. Been missing your post. thanks for sharing
Hello Bill, I'm glad you found me again. I wasn't sure if the fish were nosing the fly or they could tell it was fake a second before hitting it. So they were turning right at the fly.
Beautiful water and fish! I don't fish for brookies nearly enough, but the few times I do go, it always amazes me just how colorful these fish are. Looks like a great trip!
These fish are beautiful and they make you earn the right to catch them. I'm always impressed at how the coloring can change just based on the pool where the fish lives. That darker colored fish was under a rock in a hole that is shaded probably all the time. I have seen that before. In the Sierra's I've caught some fish that were almost black. I think it's from hardly ever seeing sunlight.
Kevin
ReplyDeleteOutstanding runs you were fishing there, I would guess the dry brown hackle fly was your winner. As for missing the takes, sometime the trout are actually nosing the fly instead of taking in their mouth. This is what I was told by the owner of our local fly shop.
I lost your blog for some reason and just now was able to locate you again. Been missing your post. thanks for sharing
Hello Bill, I'm glad you found me again. I wasn't sure if the fish were nosing the fly or they could tell it was fake a second before hitting it. So they were turning right at the fly.
DeleteBeautiful water and fish! I don't fish for brookies nearly enough, but the few times I do go, it always amazes me just how colorful these fish are. Looks like a great trip!
ReplyDeleteThese fish are beautiful and they make you earn the right to catch them. I'm always impressed at how the coloring can change just based on the pool where the fish lives. That darker colored fish was under a rock in a hole that is shaded probably all the time. I have seen that before. In the Sierra's I've caught some fish that were almost black. I think it's from hardly ever seeing sunlight.
DeleteLate to the party...sorry about that! You're fishing my kind of water. I need to find somewhere near where I live and try for some wild brookies.
ReplyDelete