I really didn't have time to fish...

I really don't.  At least this week.  Rosemary's back to work for the first time (3 days a week), kid's are trying day care for the first time in 2 years, I have a bunch of work to do, and am attending a professional development conference in Boston this weekend (Boston Sports Medicine Group's Summer Session)... All of that leaves very little time, for, well... being.

I had a little window today.  A couple hours where I should have worked, but decided an hour on a local wild trout stream was very valuable medicine... So I took it!

The beauty of angling along a small stream is only enhanced by the simplicity.  A small box of flies, my midwest customs 2wt, some 5x, floatant and clippers.  All attached to the fly box's handy lanyard.

The funny part, is that the fly box is overkill.  I almost never fish a small stream with more than 2-3 flies for a full outing...

The section I fished has easy access through a little piece of conservation land with a nice trail.  it runs between two ware house/factory buildings.  In fact, when the leaves are gone, you can see the factories at all times fishing this section.

Today, the green up that has really started hid the factories making for a very scenic venue despite the industry near by.

I was worried when the first pool offered no takes on a bomber... but the one immediately above it always produces, so the worry was minimal.  I drifted the fly through the pool a few times and nothing.  Then I cast into the fast water at the pool's head and was rewarded with a strong take from this gorgeous brookie.

Despite a crushed barb, he managed to get the hook in a way that was tough to remove - he seemed fine with careful work, to get the fly free... and swam away with power.  The bomber though was very reluctant to float, so a change was in order.

On went a variation of the Ausable Wulff.  the difference is a white calf tail tail vs a dark woodchuck tail.  I dont know if it really works better... but it's definitely has worked well for me over the years - and it's super easy to see!

The brookies attacked in both pockets and pools.  Run's and riffles.  That sounds like I couldnt keep the fish away, and that is untrue.  They were not constant... but I'd guess in my hour on the stream, I caught 10-12.

I approached a favorite bend in the stream...

And a brown attacked that dry with a gusto - coming clean out of the water!

I know they are here, but rarely have caught (and never have caught one in this section of this stream) browns here.  It was really fun to see this fish and to have an encounter with him.

Finally I had to head home.  I'm using a few minutes to post this to get my brain back into a computer and back to work... It was a great time to be out.  A light breeze, few black flies, and fish willing to eat a dry.

Back to work, and a busy week now... Refreshed, and with a new sense of vigor!

Thanks for reading.
Will