Tenkara on the Salmon River, CT

The Salmon river is one that's been on my radar for a little while, but until this fall, I had never taken the drive over that way. Much like the Farmington, but smaller, and with some higher gradient sections, it provides a great habitat for Trout as well as Salmon.

On my first visit, I fished the sections closest to the road. Although I missed one nice fish that I saw grab my fly and then spit it out, I didn't run into any of the stream's beautiful brook trout or any of the holdovers I had been hoping might take my fly.

I figured there would be some Salmon Parr in the runs, so I switched to a soft hackle fly and picked up a few Parr on the swing and the retrieve. 

There were plenty of water features like the ones below, but I didn't get any fish from the spots that looked like prime lies.

More Salmon Parr were to be had from the runs and the small deep pockets in the flatter water.

This is the kind of water that I find easiest to fish on the swing for these small fish.

They do look a lot like baby browns in some ways, but the forked tail and jaw/eye alignment give it away.

In case you aren't sure, signs are all around to help you, as well as to remind you that these fish are in need of protection and care.

Walking up a small tributary I discovered some pretty water that yielded no fish.

But along the walk I saw my favorite fall/winter fungus in its full form.

Driving back I knew I'd return...

And when I did return, it was a different scene altogether.

A week of sub-freezing temps and some snow had left much of the river obscured, and lots of ice shelves making the bank difficult and possibly dangerous to navigate.

Knowing that fishing would be tough, I spent most of the short winter afternoon scouting future locations to fish in the warmer months...

The beauty was unmatched even if the fishing wasn't great.

I was able to find an open stretch in the early evening as the sun began to dip. But melting remnants of the ice shelves up stream were floating down... some more threatening than others. I knew I didn't want to get knocked down by a floating sheet of ice if a larger one came my way.

But there was no real danger and I steered clear of the obstacles in my way.

This beautiful and wild forest calls me back once again, and I look forward to returning, hoping that I have a day when the crowds are not too thick and the fish are more willing to take my fly.

And in the meanwhile, I'll be whipping up more of these heavy winter nymphs that sink like a rock for the colder, faster water of deep winter.

Hook: Daiichi #2571 #8

Bead: 1/8th inch wide-holed tungsten, black nickel

Underbody: Danville's 6/0 flymaster waxed in Light Olive

Body: Mixed Dubbing - Muskrat back fur, Raccoon Tail, Hare's Mask

Hackle: Grizzly Hen Saddle

Wild Browns in a Wild Forest - A Day with the Nissin Pocket Mini 270

Wow... what to say about the recent weather? It's been unusually warm. And I've been busy. Tying flies for an international fly swap, launching the NYC Tenkara Anglers Club, writing, and its been "go-time" for work since late October. But that doesn't mean I have been staying off the water. I just haven't had as much time to write about it all...

Journey along in a wild forest with me, one full of wild browns. This forest is mostly not on public land. In fact, it is considered trespassing to be here for reasons other than fishing - as is the case with some of the more interesting water I've come across in this state. But fear not, some of the land is public and the water is clean.

The fish are spooky but there is a lot of cover to make use of to stay out of their line of site.

The tools of the trade are a hand-tied bead-head nymph, a lightweight Keiryu rod, some #3 level line, and just the right mix of sun and clouds.

The beautiful wild browns were willing and ready to take a fly on this unseasonably warm almost-winter afternoon.

The stream cascades gently down a small mountainside. Many of the best fishy spots are guarded by nature's hand as branches and trees restrict one's cast. The 270cm Nissin Pocket Mini made quick work of many of these tight spots...

... and in a stream of this size, there's no need for the longer 360cm rods that are mostly used for Tenkara.

The placement of the fly is key as you can easily spook a run or a pool if you can't hook a fish on the first cast or two.

Fast reflexes and an astute-eye on the end of the line lead to plenty of hook ups. Even with a few lost on the barbless hooks, plenty of fish were brought to hand. The mini-rod handled it all with ease.

These wild beauties brightened my day, and it was worth the long drive and hard work to get to the remote location they call home. I also took a moment to photograph this fine work of art that I've been carrying in my pack recently. 

Turning my attention back to the stream I paused for a moment to take it all in. A sip of water. A snack. The sun was still high enough. I was pleased to see that I could move up to new ground that I'd yet to have fished on this pristine mountain stream before...

The things I saw on this journey were both beautiful and delicate, with the bright red spots of a wiggling trout, and the fiery orange of late-fall fungus, creating a beautiful contrast to the faded colors... of what didn't really feel like an early-winter scene.

The light faded and I had some ground to cover to return to the car. One last fish I said, and there it was. 

It rose from the deep, slamming my fly like a fish easily twice its size. Admirably, the energy of these little wild beauties is often a big surprise.

One close-up and then it was over for the day. I returned this little one to its home carefully and quickly, then collapsed my rod to leave.

On the way back to the car I walked a dirt road. The caretaker for the private property stopped to see what I was up to. I was happy to see the area being watched and patrolled to help protect it. I asked his name so that I could say hello next time. Respect.

This was one of those afternoons to remember fondly... a memory to return to when the cold of the deep winter sets in, when you need some fuel to keep the fire burning inside... before long it will, once again, be spring.

Tenkara & Late Fall in New England

Late fall can be a wonderful time to fish in New England. If the winter doesn't set in too quickly, which, this year is clearly not an issue, the fishing can be spectacular. Water is often lower, but the fish are still active and the big ones are moving up into the headwaters and tributaries. Its also a great time to chase some larger fish on wider rivers.

Over the last few weeks I've been able to visit the Farmington a few times, the Housatonic, and many other tributaries and small streams.

I've continued exploring new water and new access spots, sometimes finding wonderful dirt roads that take you back into slightly less-fished areas.

Staying low and moving slow is of the utmost importance as the slower and lower water gives your presence away more easily.

Another great aspect of fishing this time of year is the light. Late afternoon right before sunset creates an epic glow of color that often leaves one in awe.

Its hard to leave the water when its this beautiful, and packing a headlamp can mean you don't have to stress about hanging out until the last moments of light.

Tributaries have been low in the Northeast as we, too, have been in need of rain. But the water is cold, clear and the fish are still there, for the most part.

As is this beautiful fall fungus that always stands out strikingly, against the now-duller colors of the pre-winter forest landscape.

The red spots on wild browns also create strikingly beautiful contrasts.

Oddities like this indian head rock on a tall stump also leave me pondering. But I dare not dally long, as the short days of late fall leave less time to wet a line each day...

And yet the colors of the late fall fish remind me that this time of year its not about the numbers but rather the beauty of each individual fish caught and released.

A few rainbows make for a fine catch, even if the target fish of the day might have been Salmon.

Some tumbling streams are easier to navigate and the features easier to read as the water levels drop (but we must still hope for rain.)

I pause a moment on streams like that to photograph the tools of the day.

And to document the surroundings...

because sometimes even the best looking water is a bust and inexplicably the fish are nowhere to be seen (or hooked!)

And when in such a place, one's mind may wander back to the surroundings...

seeing once again the wonders of nature in different forms.

Even a moment when a fallen tree blocking your trail becomes not an obstacle, but a spectacle worthy of appreciation just as it lies, can be had.

And then there's the overwhelming emotion of the final trek back to the car, as the sun is low and the fun for the day is over... the air is cold and crisp, the smell of fall is present - yet fading with the light.

The thought of soft light, a warm home, friends, family and a hearty meal makes it alright. 

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