Wild Trout Weekend

This past Saturday, I met a friend of mine to go fishing for small stream wild trout on dries.  We ended up having an awesome day, and while we didn't keep count, we estimated that we probably combined for about 50 trout brought to hand, and we both also missed our fair share.  We also both got the PA trifecta: a brookie, brown, and rainbow, all in the same day...though not form the same waterway.  It can be done, and I hope to accomplish it this summer, but we had a blast with the fish on two different streams on Saturday. This entry will be more eye-candy, and less words, so take a look at the pics and enjoy... This is what...

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Chasing Wild Trout

The definition of 'small stream' varies widely from fisherman to fisherman, but I think that this little one would qualify on anyone's list.  This is 1wt water... Light lines, light tippet, creative casting, and slow, stealthy approaches are the name of the game here.  I spooked more fish than I caught, but it was nice to get back to truly wild trout.  It's a very different kind of fishing, compared to the typical trout fishing experience here in PA.  You don't need a perfect cast or drift, you don't need to flawlessly match the hatch, and the fish are generally voracious little creatures, very willing to attack...

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Renovations

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to make a quick note to apologize for some of the technical difficulties the site has experienced lately.  I've done what I can to fix it, and as far as I can tell, everything is in good working order again.  Thanks for understanding, and thank you for continuing to read Dharma of the Drift. Tight Lines, Mark PS. The interesting little creature that has so graciously posed for this entry's image is a Least Brook lamprey.  A non-parasitic freshwater species native to the coldwater streams of this area.  They are somewhat rare and usually pretty shy, but this one, with its spawning coloration,...

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Alone on a Freestone

After getting chased from the water Saturday evening (tornado watch), I was determined to get back to the creek as soon as I could.  Lucky for me, that was the very next day.  Sunday I got back out on a local freestone stream known for its rugged terrain and fast water...as well as the stream raised rainbows and browns in its pools...   Got the car parked and my 7'9" 3wt St. Croix Avid put together, and headed off down the railroad tracks that parallel this part of the creek.  As I walked i was pleased to note that a few of the popular holes close to the road were vacant, which seemed to be a promising indication of an...

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Classic Wet Flies, Part 3

I've been at the vise pretty regularly over the past week or so, and, in addition to restocking the dry flies I've been going through, I've also made time to tie more of these beautiful patterns, most from Bergman's book. Any deviations from the pattern as listed in Trout are noted. Esmeralda Tail: Brown Mallard Body: Green Floss Rib: Yellow Floss Hackle: Brown Wing: Slate Fern Tail: BrownBody: Pink Floss Hackle: Brown Wing: Slate Flagger Tag: Gold Flat Tinsel Body: Yellow Floss Rib: Gold Oval Tinsel Hackle: DunWing: Slate Hardy's Favorite Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippet Body: Peacock Rib: Red...

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