Be sure to check out the link below to my YouTube video explaining my fly rod and line system for small creeks.
I had planned to fish the well known brook trout fishery Kettle Creek but with the holiday weekend the popular creek was teaming with anglers at every access point and areas in between. I enjoy solitude when I fish so I started looking at my phones map app for blue lines running into Kettle Creek.
I found one tiny flow that was about three miles from my location and ran through a state forest property. I could see a dirt forest road running from the main road and close enough to the blue line that a short hike would get me to the creek.
I reached the water and paused for a few moments to take in the surroundings. The small mountain creek was the embodiment of what anglers picture in their minds eye when they dream of fly fishing for rising native book trout in the northeast. There were no angler worn footpaths to follow along the bank. Only the occasional faint game trail.
Cool clean water tumbling over stone making its way through pine groves and swampy “micro” meadows. The sacred place was protected by tangles of fallen trees that that only the most ambitious anglers could navigate over, around and sometimes through to reach the next honey hole. I had found brook trout heaven!
I fished the first few pools and runs with nymphs with no luck. Not even a fish sighting. I paused for a moment to regroup wondering if this flow even had trout. Glancing at my rod tube, I noticed a brown stone fly perched on top of it. This snapped me out of my tunnel vision. I sat motionless for several minutes watching the air and water for signs of a bug hatch. I saw a Golden Stone, several small flying clusters of Sulfers and what looked like some small Caddis. I tied on a size #12 Caddis and went to work on the next small pool. The bath tub sized pool was bordered by a small root ball on one side. An idea spot for trout to feed and seek refuge.
Bingo! Five eager native brook trout and several missed opportunities from just this pool. The tide had turned and YES there are fish in this creek! I had tied on a Hare’s Ear nymph dropper but not one trout showed interest. I quickly decided to cut it off. I scrambled over a cluster of blow downs eager to get to the next “spot”. I had a plan.. and the plan was working!
I covered over a mile or so of creek in a hand full of hours. Every good looking pool and run produced 2-5 trout. I counted the fish until I reached twenty. That was enough of a count to satisfy my ego. I’m guessing I caught well over 50 native brook trout.
Two adjustments beyond going to a dry fly contributed to the fish count so I want to share that with you. First, the higher my fly floated the more interest the fish showed in the fly. Second, I was able to lighten up the color of my brown Caddis to match the lighter color sulfers by frequently shaking my fly in powdered “Hy-Float”. I experimented with both these variables to know that they made a difference.
It was an incredible day on the creek. I didn’t see another sole and the native brook trout were plentiful and willing. I’ve had many great days on the water in my 50 plus years on this earth. Today adds to the list of those great days. As if the day couldn’t get any better, I spotted a black bear on my drive home. I paused to take a few photos and a quick video. He was an unusually “friendly bear’ and wore a tracking collar. I have a feeling he’s probably become acclimated to people.. this may prove to be his undoing eventually but I hope that I’m wrong. An awesome ending to an awesome day!
Check out the bonus video below explaining my small creek fly rod and line system.
Wild Trout Chronicles 