Featured Photo: Streamer Eater on the Clinch

Featured Photo: Streamer Eater on the Clinch

Monday, September 02, 2013

Overlooked Puddles

Puddles don't look like much, but they can sure surprise you.  That's what I learned today.  A long drive through the mountains eventually led me to the headwaters of a rather well-known trout stream.  Normally I chase brown trout in this particular area and today my intention was the same.  Since moving out here, I have fished a large portion of the stream and have discovered that it has more nice brown trout than most people think.

Pulling in to a familiar parking area, I quickly grabbed my gear and started the short walk to the stream. I had barely started walking when I noticed something in a small puddle along the path.  A rise???  In all likelihood, the small puddle was the work of beavers at some point in the past.  The puddle was small enough I really didn't think of looking for fish in it.


Edging over, I was soon casting.  A small and eager brook trout swirled again and again but couldn't quite figure out how to eat my fly.  I was rigged up to chase brown trout after all, and a snack for a nice brown would be a 5 course dinner for this little brookie with leftovers to spare.  Again I tossed the fly out with the same result.  On the third cast, a larger shadow swirled and found the hook!

Not a large fish, this brookie made up for lack of size with its beauty.  I was just enjoying having caught a fish out of a puddle that I'm sure many other fishermen walk right past on their way to the real trout water.


Oh yeah, I caught a few brook trout in the stream as well.  I suppose I'll be tying some brook trout colored streamers for the browns this year...

10 comments:

  1. A lesson I learned long ago. You have to fish every nook and cranny on the creek.

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    1. Mark, as often as I relearn this lesson you would think that I would have mastered it by now....instead I'm still surprised every time...

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  2. Two days ago a guy I know pulled an absolute toad out of the Clinch from an area we walk thru or past ALL the time. I was kinda shocked. The grass IS NOT always greener on the other side. Sometimes its right under your nose

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    1. Adam, it always amazes me some of the water that big fish will be on tailwaters. I regularly saw people wading on the Caney where I knew big fish would have been hanging out without the intrusion...

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  3. Great reminder and what a looker that trout is.

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    1. Thanks Atlas. It was definitely a beautiful fish!

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  4. It's unknown surprises like this that make fishing so much fun.

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    1. You're right for sure there! I learn something new every time and love each and every surprise...

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  5. David
    How many times have I overlook areas that I thought didn't hold fish, this post is a perfect example of not overlooking any waters. By the way I landed one of my best rainbows "latest post" the other day on your copper nymph. I will be getting in touch for more. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill, I'm glad that fly is still working for you!

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