 |
 |
Lo and behold! Fishable water in mid-January! Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
With a few hours in hand on Saturday, Jan. 14, I voyaged forth, looking for fishable water.
Stream number one was raging, which is what I was afraid of.
Stream number two I skipped, because getting in and out would require more time than I had.
The author took advantage of a winter thaw to chase brook trout in January 2022. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean fishing is over.
Winter fishing has a lot going for it, including: snow, ice, frigid winds, general misery, and the very real chance of serious injury from taking a header on the ice.
There is also an excellent chance of developing hypothermia after taking an unscheduled bath.
Shopping for the angler is not easy, even for other anglers. The sport involves a lot of technical stuff, which combined with personal preference and a hearty dose of completely irrational prejudice, makes it easy for the unwary to drop the proverbial brick.
SOMEWHERE IN NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT — The plan was to corral the Master and the Novice, take advantage of the clement early November weather, and hike to the obscure brook trout stream. There I would take many spectacular photographs and listen intently while the Master imparted Wisdom to the Novice.
By the time this edition of this award-winning fishing column is published, I will be in the middle of a week’s vacation near the Esopus Creek in Phoenicia. N.Y.
It’s a pleasant situation. The best feature of the ancestral estate is the almost complete lack of electronic communications.
A fat, healthy and wild rainbow trout came to the author’s (wet) hand on the Esopus Creek last week. New York state no longer stocks the Esopus, in order to encourage the reproduction of wild rainbow trout. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
BOICEVILLE, N.Y. — When we last checked in with Gary, he was getting used to his new life of austerity.
See, he’d made the mistake of going to the doctor for a once-over, and the medico brought in a couple of colleagues and gave Gary’s system the gang gong.
The author’s attorney, Thos. Gallucio, has mastered the art of not being seen. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
Here is a grab bag of thoughts as we lurch into the fall fishing season:
Dressing appropriately is important, especially as it starts to get cooler. I am always reluctant to resume the waders, and will go as late into the season as I can wet wading.
They may not look like much in the bottom of a giant net, but panfish provide excellent sport during low flow, high water temperature conditions. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re having a drought.
Take a look at your nearest babbling brook. Pretty low, isn’t it?
Or check out the Housatonic River. Better yet, get in it without waders. It’s bathtub warm.
At least Mother Nature has cheesed it with the super-hot weather.
Introducing Mongo, a largemouth bass caught last year with a fixed line rod. For perspective, the purple thing in the fish’s mouth is about 2 inches long. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
The last few years I have spent more and more time using the telescoping, fixed line, no-reel fly rods that come under the umbrella term “Tenkara.”
Devotees spend hours arguing the nuances and nomenclature for different kinds of fixed line rods, and since few of them speak Japanese I suspect they are still missing something.
The legendary Island of Smallmouth somewhere on the Housatonic River. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
CORNWALL — The dog days are upon us, a lot sooner than usual.
The authorities have cut the flow into the West Branch of the Farmington River to a cold but meager 75 cubic feet per second, which means if you head over there prepare for long leaders and fine tippets.
Copyright The Lakeville Journal
860-435-9873
PO Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039
All Rights Reserved
