FinFollower

First Signs Of Fall

October 11, 2020 by Leigh 3 Comments

For many of us in the northeast, the first sign of fall is cooling temps after a long hot summer. Others wait for the leaves to change from lush green to red and gold. And some may find pumpkins and flowers on their neighbors’ porches. A few look for baseball to get closer to the World Series and football to crank up. A select group may even herald the annual arrival of pumpkin spice season.

For me, fall signals the return of trout fishing on one of my favorite local rivers and the chance to get some water to myself. Even the roads seem to have less traffic.

This afternoon I spent a few hours chasing trout in a remote section of the Housatonic. It was an overcast fall day, with temps around 70 degrees and light intermittent showers. While autumn has not yet peaked, there were plenty of twigs and small branches in the water, reminders of the dreaded leaf fish.

For this reason I started with two streamers: The Orange Blossom Special and the Guinness Trout. The Guinness Trout has been a go-to for years, but the Orange Blossom Special is relatively new in my box. I tied it faithfully to the recipe, adding only a bead head. It uses the colors of fall, so I had high expectations. It delivered.

While debris and light rain made dry fly fishing seem more like target practice, the Orange Blossom Special pulled in browns and bows.

Later I used the Guinness Trout for this rainbow.

At one point I stopped and soaked in the beauty of early autumn and the solitude it brings. But then again, for many of us, solitude has not been much of an issue this year.

While I sit here typing, the vice presidential debates are going full force. Not exactly the best background to spur story writing. As the candidates spar from their chairs, weaving, jabbing and bobbing verbally, I’m even more thankful for the chance to get outdoors. In times like these, where politics, economics and finger pointing merge into one corrosive news feed that feels like a cross between a roller coaster and a carousel, we need places enjoy ourselves and recharge, free of the divisive rhetoric.

Hope you are finding time to get out and enjoy yourself in what has been a year like no other (and still has 3 months to go!)

Enjoy!

The Tug Of Summer Smallies

August 28, 2020 by Leigh 7 Comments

Sometimes all you need is a fiberglass rod, handful of streamers and eager bass.

The pulloff for this section of the Housatonic runs along a busy truck route in lower Connecticut. There’s no offramp, so you quickly swerve over the shoulder of the highway and apply the brakes liberally, stopping abruptly on a narrow gravel lot littered with wrappers, bottles and other trash left by careless visitors.

This is not the pristine, pine covered forest that leads to a canopied trout stream. The space is used by anglers of all type, along with others looking to escape the heat of summer by taking a dip in the river. Although it is not a park and there are no tables or benches, I recently encountered a large streamside birthday celebration, complete with portable grills, balloons and adults in various stages of inebriation.

This is a late August evening, and summer is only beginning to show signs of relenting. Most days have been in the 80’s and 90’s, with water temps well out of the range of fishable temps for most local trout streams. But I’m not here for trout. I want to enjoy the simplicity of an after work session of streamer fishing with an old fiberglass rod, streamers and some hungry smallmouth.

The run I’m fishing sits below a local dam. As you can tell from the pic, this time of year there is just enough water to support minimal flow. Most of the large boulders on the river bottom are at least partially exposed, and you rarely find water above your waist.

Walking and wading are not easy. The river bank is covered in rock, stones and slag that make an ankle twist all but assured. I stumble several times but miraculously make it to the edge of the water upright.

The shore contains a number of stone sculptures, makeshift monuments from those who have enjoyed other afternoons.

Wading into the water slowly, I slide over the moss-covered rocks, hoping the studded soles are doing their job.

Beginning to cast, I pull in only loose weeds for the first few minutes. Then it happens.

The line goes tight and the rod bends quickly as the fish jumps from the water, shaking its head in an agitated manner. In an effort to escape, it pulls and tugs my line through the boulders and grass, increasing the excitement and possibility of a break off. I lead it into the fast water, allowing it to tire from the current and tension of the line before bringing it to hand. The speed of departure upon release gives the impression that this fish had plenty of fight left.

Shortly after, I hook a smaller bass that takes me into the slow water and makes it an easy walk to the bank.

Fish continue to appear for the next half hour. Even the smallest give a good fight and put a bend in the rod. They are aggressive and eager to smash the streamer.

Tonight I’m using an 8′ South Bend Black Beauty 5/6 wt., pulled from the corner of a relative’s garage. It looks and feels like a fiberglass rod. It was missing an end cap, so I fashioned one using epoxy and a cork from a bottle of Red Truck wine, one of the previous owner’s favorites. The foam grip is remarkably intact, and the plastic reel seat reminds me that this was most likely a box store purchase. Resurrected, the rod bends deeply but confidently under the tug of smallies and offers decent casting distance for streamer tossing.

I use only one streamer pattern for tonight’s session. It’s a variation of the Baby Complex Twist Bugger found on YouTube’s Fly Fish Food channel. Tied in 8’s and 10’s, I vary the bead/cone and tail colors as a simple product development exercise. It’s surprising how much smallies like bright circus colors such as purple, orange and chartreuse.

Standing in the final minutes of dusk, the best view is downstream. The river has widened and the current dissipated. It holds only scattered foam lines and sporadic rises. And while the water is calm and the surroundings lush and green, the leaves are beginning to fall in my yard, a subtle reminder that autumn is just around the corner. Maybe I’ll tie some trout flies.

After sunset I turn on the headlamp and carefully climb the stone-covered bank, rejoining the short trail leading back to the car. I’m reminded of how lucky we really are, even in times like these.

In the mild evening air I pull off the half-waders, stow the rod, waders and boots, then quickly accelerate on to the highway.

Hope you are finding opportunities for summer fishing, even in unlikely places.

Enjoy!

Just Down The Road

June 8, 2020 by Leigh 4 Comments

When it comes to local fishing, most of the time I travel almost an hour to the Farmington or Housatonic. Both of these rivers are regional favorites and hold a lot of large fish, courtesy of Connecticut hatcheries. On occasion I’ll visit the Naugatuck, a smaller river that can be rewarding certain times of year. It also gets stocked with trout in the spring, then salmon in the fall.

Today I decided to save the driving time and waded a local stream just 3 miles from my home. Although it runs along a well-traveled road, it’s rather small, not easily accessible, and disguised in the colors of summer foliage.

It turned out to be exactly what you’d hope for in a small stream – a series of runs, riffles and pools, most found under canopied tree cover.

While one or two areas may be waist-deep, most barely reach your knee. I wore half-waders, but they hardly saw any action. In fact, my feet were rarely wet. Most casting was done from the shore in order not to spook the pool.

The river runs for miles, but I fished a section of less than 100 yards for about 90 minutes. The lush green surroundings added to the appeal and kept water temps cold.

Rock bass like this one were the most common catch. They eagerly attacked the streamer and fought like a larger fish.

There were also a couple of panfish like this one. They hit quickly and gave up easily. River panfish always seem to be lighter in color than the ones found in local ponds and lakes.

This rainbow was the jewel of the day. I ran the streamer through a long narrow run, but missed the take. A few minutes later I tried again and brought this 12″ beauty to hand.

This was one of the smallmouth that I hooked, but special mention is given to the sizeable one that I found hidden in ankle-deep water. It got off before I could snap a pic.

This was probably the most unusual catch of the day. A green sunfish. Not native to CT, but travels thru drainage.

All of the fish caught today were on this streamer, The Guinness Trout, by Ralph Long of Ralph’s Fly Box. I started tying this pattern in a size 10 because I like the name, but soon found it brings brookies, bass, panfish and rainbows to hand.

If you’re curious to find out more about other Connecticut small streams, give the Connecticut Angler Youtube channel a try. You might find one that you like.

Hope you get outside out during this unique time in our history and find a few minutes to spend in nature.

Enjoy!

Enjoying The Distance

May 15, 2020 by Leigh 2 Comments

While there have been very few things to celebrate these past few months, today was an exception. We broke from a string of days with your choice of cool temps and/or rain, and found 80-degrees on the thermometer, complete with sunshine and calm wind.

The state has been regularly stocking the streams with trout, and many anglers are hitting the water. Some obey social distancing guidelines, some don’t. Crowds on the water are not my thing during normal times. Much less during a pandemic.

Today I took the path less chosen. After work I quickly loaded the kayak and headed to the local bass pond. It turned out to be a good decision. In addition to little company, the fishing was good.

One of the things that I enjoy most about pond fishing is the simplicity. I used the same white balsa popper the entire time. Not losing a popper is an accomplishment on its own. The 6′ one-piece fiberglass rod that I built a few years ago proved itself again. Not exactly a travel rod, but it delivers the popper softly and has enough bend to bring a fish close to the kayak for release.

My first fish on the line was this bass. A good start to prepare for many more.

Next came a series of sunfish. While they are not known for fighting abilities, the larger ones are a lot of fun to play as they race under the kayak.

I’m always amazed at the colors and patterns on a pumpkinseed.

I finished on a high note with the personal best of the day – a bass that fought and jumped right until it was beside the kayak. It shot straight out of the water just as the sun was reaching the trees. It briefly reminded me of a tarpon.

I packed the car and looked back, realizing how lucky we are to have this pond close by. While it may seem that there aren’t many things to be thankful for, this will be one place that I visit to enjoy the distancing, and remember how wonderful a day on the water can be.

As I finish writing it has started pouring – again. The rain is beating on my canoe like a snare drum. It’s strangely comforting, reminding me of the outdoor adventures to come.

Hope you are making the best of social distancing and finding some time on the water for yourself.

Enjoy!

The Gift Without A Bow

December 25, 2019 by Leigh 1 Comment

Last night I went to the 11 pm Christmas Eve candlelight service at my church. It started with a short video. A man wakes up to find he and his wife covered in Christmas wrapping paper. His shoes, coffee mug, briefcase and car are also nicely wrapped. The shower and faucet have bows on them. The point of the video is that we have much to be thankful for even before we see what’s under the tree.

I felt the same way as I headed out for a quick Christmas Day trip to the Farmington River. A couple of hours isn’t much, but enough to remind me how much we have and to be thankful for all of it.

Forty degrees may not sound warm, but by Connecticut standards it’s downright balmy. With no wind, it seemed like a real Christmas gift.

Yesterday I found out the hard way that my waders have a leak in the seam of the foot. I grabbed a pair of neoprenes off the wall. It has been at least 2 years since I’ve worn them, but they did the job. I felt a like Santa in a chimney when squeezing into them, which told me that this has been an enjoyable and prosperous holiday season. A reasonable diet and training schedule will resume Jan 1.

Upon driving a quick loop of the upper river I discovered that I’m not the only one who likes to fish on Christmas Day. There were plenty of liberated elves. I was able to find some water of my own and quickly seized it.

After getting into the neoprenes and rigging up, I put Tippet in the backpack and we headed to the river.

I had a size 10 thinmint woolly bugger tied on. Within minutes, a nice brown was in hand.

After releasing the fish, I looked around and realized that we have so much to be thankful for. Even in winter, the river has a beauty and serenity that overtakes all other thoughts.