The first stream I checked was lower than I expected but probably cooler than it would have been were it up as a few shallow ponds expel water into it, especially after a lot of rain. It was 69 degrees.
Skip.
The next stream comes out of a reservoir but the dam is surface draw. It was 78 degrees despite a great flow.
Definitely skip.
Stream number three also descends from a stillwater. Unlike the others I had not caught brook trout there. 82 degrees. There's why.
S K I P.
Stream four was cooler, being a mountain freestone with only a few small beaver pools way up the watershed. But it still wasn't comfortably cold at a balmy 72 degrees.
Okay, stream six. Finally, fishable water temperatures! 65 degrees. I'll take it. My plans to catch a bunch of fish were foiled though when a mink made his presence known. NO! I had to hike a fair distance past where I saw the mink to find unspooked brookies. I caught just one, on a caddis pupa. The day, then was made worth while.
But I decided then I needed something more, and with time running out and temperatures being as high as they were I didn't want to bother any more brook trout. So I went to bother some snakes.
This outcropping has become such a reliable spot if I want to photograph one Connecticut's most spectacular animals. It's no secret, I love snakes and timber rattlesnakes hold a special place in my heart. They are so impressive. A garter snake is a dainty little creature, sleek and smooth and light. Timber rattlesnakes are massive. Thick. Heavy. Rough. Their scales look like dried seeds. Their heads give away they mean business. As with any pit viper their venom sacs make them look diamond shaped rather than round.
You post a lot of cool adventures... But I think your Timber Rattler posts are my favorite. Such a cool serpent, and awesome to get to see the images you have of them. Amazing that you have a spot so consistent for finding them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Will.
DeleteTheir den living nature makes it fairly likely that you'll see them over and over when you find the right spots.
Wow... you have been busy. Loved your posts from Champlain and I'm proud of your observations regarding your home streams. Hope you don't mind my asking though... was there a stream 5? Great work.
ReplyDeleteOf course there was. But I didn't do any photography or take a water temperature though I fished it for half an hour. It didn't fit in the story line.
DeleteWOW, warm streams and a Timber Rattler. That snake was huge. Glad you have a good telephoto lens. They are a very interesting critter.
ReplyDeleteTie, fish, write, conserve and photo on...
The snake photos and your descriptions of them are great. I like how you described the Timber rattlesnake's scales as looking like dried seeds.
ReplyDelete