Woodcock, rainbows and browns

I returned to my friend's farm, where they grow native plants and we'd helped with their spring prairie burn.

The fields were now green, the lupines in bloom.

While walking through the fields, a woodcock flushed  right under my feet and I almost stepped on it's nest.

On their suggestion, I  tried one the lower sections of one of my favorite creeks in the area and a tributary of  of the creek. I didn't get far however, as the water was brown, banks steep with near quicksand in some areas and almost impenetrable vegetation on either side. I moved higher up the creek to a section I hadn't fished for a while, where the water was clear and banks manageable. 

A good afternoon, I run into a bunch of small rainbows and browns. But the little ones always seem to hit before the big ones, dark shadows following behind.  All the larger fish were all browns,no dropback rainbows to be seen I guess they are all back in the lake. The biggest fish of the afternoon was a brown ~ 40 cm, pictured just before it swam away.

Small stream - high noon browns

I avoid opening week and this year with house renovations, work and visitations, it was well into May before  I made it to my local stream. Beautiful day, too bright and hot for browns but I head out anyway. I head out and walk down to the stream, as feared water levels are low and clear. Sigh but it is a nice day. and it's always interesting to come back to a favorite stream after the winter and see how the stream has changed. Are the old holes still there, are there new ones?

Overall, the stream  looks pretty good. I see several fish, including some decent fish, one might even be a rare big brook trout, the follow my lure but no takes. Higher upstream, I switch to smaller lures and darker colors including spinners with black blades or bodies and get a few takes. Then and a decent brown darts from under submerged wood and takes my spinner. And so it goes a good day, several good fish on very briefly, lots more seen and a lot of smaller trout kamikaze darting out of nowhere to test my lures. Small spinners (0 & 1) and spoons (1/8 - 1/4 oz) are the ticket.

I keep the first good brown and a small fish hooked in the gills, keep hoping for another good fish to round out the meal, but such is not to be.

All in all a good afternoon, always nice when the home stream has fish. Only downside is I slip while wading over brush and tear my year old Gortex waders. But it looks like there are reasonable repair kits avaiilable, so it won't be a total loss.

Canoe fishing

These lakes

These lakes are scratches
gouged by glaciers
from rocks 

which were new
when life began.

Blood flows thickly
over old wounds
to knit a healing scab
leaving just a faint scar.

Stir not
these calm waters
nor linger
o’er faint lines.

Paddle lightly
to the sunset
sending ripples
to the dawn.

Lake moments

Not sure what it is
about this land
that grabs you
but I was grabbed
long ago.

Trip's last night

stayed up late
sipping remnant whiskey
as sun set red
neath hills dark shoulders.

Crisp morning
up before six
lake like glass
rustle up the fire
and make coffee
rest of camp
sound asleep
so I solo

Start in the back bay
release a hammer handle
then troll the north shore
into a freshening wind
nothing.

Move to deeper water
perhaps a morning walleye
but the wind’s up,
and sparkling sun
puts fish down
still nothing.

End of lake
head back
cast the shoreline
snag a bush
retrieve the lure
test line – it snaps.
Change lures
Tom got a good fish
in these narrows
but today
nothing.

Ignore my watch,
change to a deeper lure
last point, a satisfying tug
good pike – strong fish
open water, use net
she’s mine.

Back to camp
fresh fillets for home
and memories 

of when 

the lake 

was mine.

Brown trout and ....

Brown trout anglers

Brown trout anglers

catch few fishes

and usually let them go.

Barbless hooks 

make more for wishes

then fish to show
young eyes with wonder.

Brown trout anglers tell tales

distilled from truth

of flashes, almosts and
fish as long as your arm.

But also speak of

otters, beavers and deer

woodpeckers, turkeys and warblers

turtles, frogs and snakes

orchids, iris and skunk cabbage

mosquitoes, blackflies and nettles.

Brown trout anglers

define a river

by its banks

and its water 

and know it remains

the same but
always changing

awaiting their return.

Painted Lady

I smooth the spot

where your barb

used to be

and touch you lightly

with the steel

to keep your edge.

I test your tension

feel the spring in your curves

this time you pass

I tighten the vise

to hold you tightly

then wind the silk

up from your ankle

to just below your neck.

I caress you with fur,

tickle you with feathers

then daub you with varnish.

Blowing lightly cross the back

of your restrained form

I cast you in my mind

to your element

wet and undulating.

I leave you for a while

bound in your perfection

then release the vise

and place you in my box

between the Blue Charms

and Royal Coachmen.

An Incompleate Angler - Confessions of a Second-class Fisherman

"We were left to assume, as my brother and I did, that all first-class fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were fly fisherman and that John, the favorite, was a dry-fly fisherman."

A River Runs Through It - Norman Maclean

I've fished for as long as I can remember, but came to fly fishing much later in my life. I'm still not that good at it, generally fish wet rather than dry and often leave my fly rod behind in favor of chucking hardware .

This "blog" will usually be fishing related may at times digress.