Good things come in package

Motivated by Long's last trip (click here to view), I pulled out my map collections and continue on exploring lesser known streams in the Catskills.  Wasn't sure if the recent storm would have any effect on the fishing condition so I've selected three streams (all within 15 miles radius) with steep terrain hoping such geographic condition will drain the water faster.

After two hours of driving with anticipation, I found a patch of grassed parcel along the gravel road, barely big enough to park my car.

Off the bat, I was feeling it. The stream seemed so fishy, well shaded and moving fast... Without any thoughts, I tied an ausable bomber to my 6' 1wt rod and hurried into the stream.  First cast and with a blink of an eye, a brookie greeted my awkward drifting bomber with an explosive strike.

It seemed like every pools or runs contained eager and hungry brookies.

The big tail of this fish gave my 1wt rod the workout

The bomber took so much abuse, it had to retire after countless attacks.

The eager trouts made me stop fishing this stream a lot shorter than I've planned. For them to be so easy simply took the  whole challenging aspect of fly fishing out of the equation. I've never thought that the stupid fishing can be boring... But wasn't complaining.  Figure I will visit my eager friends when I need my confidence boosted one day...

After a short ride, I've arrived to my next destination.  A tiny creek feeding another tiny creek.  It's entrance is a 10' road bridge with covered with the vegetation. If it wasn't planned, I would probably pass these types of water without thinking much of it.

The grade was very steep and contained many small waterfalls which filled with incredibly clear water.  I couldn't believe how beautiful the stream was and hoping there will be trout in it to complete the picture.  Went passed many waterfalls and runs without any takes.  Started to think this stream is one of many misses I've had, then I saw a spooked trout darting away in a distance I didn't think that the fish can see me.

The brookies in this stream were completely opposite of their neighboring brookies from the previous stream.  They required stealth approach, dead drift,  and patience which made it a lot more challenging.  After working the stream with every knowledge I've obtained to fish clear water trout, a beautiful brookie took my fly with a sip, not explosive strike.  It's funny how a same specie of fish will act completely different based on their surroundings.

I only caught only one other brookie after the first one but this stream provided me with another skill set to add to my experience. I wanted to press on upstream but I wanted to stick to the plan and finish off the day with the third stream which was located only a few miles. Definitely will have to come back to this stream to fully appreciate what it has to offer.

When I arrived to my car, I've opened my truck's hatch and unloaded all my gears  and closed the hatch only to realize that I locked myself out.  Dumass!!!  I couldn't make it to the third stream as planned but I couldn't stop smiling during my noisy ride back to my house.

Observations from the week.

No fish photos here but here are the other cool things I saw this past week.  My old hometown, old bridges I like to cross, wading shoes with mileage on them,  an old creek with big roots, hopeful eyes of my son, the start of something elegant, ninjas serving sushi, old paintings that still inspire, old game played in a new stadium, and a familiar smile of an old friend that makes the whole thing meaningful. 

 

New fishing companion

Meeting someone who is passionate about this sport is common.  However, meeting someone who is passionate about the sport and shares same values as you can be very exciting.  That is exactly how I felt at the end of the fishing trip with Long, who appreciates simpler things in life, such as renting a pickup truck and appreciates it's functionality with excitement.

After a few attempts to get together, we were finally able to get acquainted on a setting we both passionate about. A small stream.

We couldn't have asked for a better day to fish. The hemlocks provided shades to keep us cool and help trouts feel secured... for us to take advantage of...

I really enjoyed fishing with Long as I had a chance to see how others fish the small stream.  Long's cast was a pleasure and educational for me to observe as not only his casts were accurate but very well thought out with the condition of each and every pool we've encountered.

As we made our way up the stream, we've talked about many things and discovered that we have many things in common.  Particularly, the strong yearning to make our wives to be our life long fishing partner. 

This stream provide ample opportunity for an angler to achieve the grand slam of wild trout fishing which both of us was able achieve on this day.

Almost every trouts we've caught had a bulging stomach.  Maybe they developed a taste for the cicadas.

I truly enjoyed fishing with Long as it provided me with the time to appreciate the whole experience a bit more with slower pace rather than moving from pool to pool which I tend to do when I'm fishing alone. Thanks for the great experience and hope to see you soon on a stream somewhere.