Mini Brookies and Frozen Streams

Almost every stream I checked today had too much ice to fish, and on the two that didn't I caught nothing at all or tiny natives. This contrast with last year's fall success. The pools I caught fish in last December are iced over right now.
There was plenty of wildlife. I watched one buck for a little while, and had a fairly close encounter with a very curious otter. He came within feet of me while I sat on a rock and looked me right in the I. Then he swam underneath that rock! A moment I wish I had been able to photograph. I do not, however, like seeing an otter on my home water. The trout population is fragile enough, and I've already chased plenty of herons out in years past. If we were managing our fisheries correctly I wouldn't have a need for concern.

 This time of year is so beautiful.

Underwater Brookies

hatchesmagazine.com

I thought this was certainly worth sharing, found it on Hatches Magazine a bit ago.

Ice

I decided to try to get my first fish on my newly completed (maybe) rod today. Long story short, the lake was frozen, and I had almost no chance to catch anything. I got on the only open water and had enough time to tell that the rod casts very well, even in high winds. Then the frustrating iced guides, frigid wind, and apparent fish-less, grey, unattractive quality of the water drove me out.

Bass Fly

Not to dwell on the past, but I would like to have done better with flies on bass this year. To improve my odds for the distant future I have been tying up some good looking bass flies.

Frozen

I had the briefest of fishing trips this evening, and boy was it chilly. The list of things that froze solid: the guides, the reel, the line the fly, moisture on the bottom of my boots, and my fingers. Neoprene gloves can only do so much. But now that my fingers aren't red and tingly and I am able to type, Here is the important thing:

I caught a pretty little native on a traditional wet fly and lost another on a parachute Adams.

It was cold, but the fish are used to it.