By George Liset
Writing on the Fly
It was the next-to-last day of fishing season and the last day I would be able to go out. I had a good, but different fly fishing season this year. There are many contributing factors to a good season such as weather, which affects water levels and temperatures. If you are chasing trout in rivers and streams both are important. Availability of fish due to again, weather and stocking, play a factor. Trout could be found up in the White Mountains in spring fed creeks and ponds, and that is where I usually found them this season.
In trying to decide where I wanted to fish on this day, I was trying to recall some previous spots that I had fished that might provide an opportunity to enjoy New Hampshires fall beauty and some colorful Brook Trout for a fitting end to the season. I decided upon a couple of little brooks up in the Ossipee Mountains near Castle in the Clouds. The ride up Route 16 and then over to Route 171 is scenic and relaxing, and being in the middle of the week there wouldn’t be too much traffic.
I gave my artist friend Ray a call and he was happy to join in the fun. Ray has a great eye for beauty and paints some great pictures. I’m hoping I can get him to grace my column with some of his work. When Ray arrived we headed north with a cup of Seven Eleven coffee and those delicious little chocolate covered donuts. A guy needs to keep up his energy.
The foliage was at peak and the colors were the best they have been in years. It was one of those days that you would like to bottle and open up in January when you are already sick of winter. The drive was relaxing. I even pulled over a couple of times just to take in the beauty. On 171 I had to stop a few times to avoid hitting flocks of turkeys. It had crossed my mind that wild turkey is really good on the grill but the plucking of feathers was problematic.
We drove up the mountain and found a place to park. Being early we were the only ones. Many of these small brooks and streams are popular for hikers because of their scenic beauty. Ray and I are hikers, we just do it with fly rods in our hands. We headed down the trail til we reached the first little set of falls with a nice pool at the bottom. I started fishing the bottom of the pool while Ray fished a smaller pool down river.
I mentioned to Ray on the way up that I was hoping the Brookies would be all decked out in their spawning colors. I also mentioned that these little guys are quick and may be a little wary of a fly which proved to be true. I probably had ten takes for every fish I caught. I worked my way up the pool working the sides of the pool since that is where the fish seemed to be hiding. I was using my newly repaired Orvis 3 weight Superfine rod and had tied on a #18 Caddis fly. In deeper pools I sometimes tie on a dropper fly using a #20 pheasant tail nymph. I finally decided to just go with the Caddis since the day was more about enjoying the scenery and having fun.
The Brookies were up for the challenge. I finally caught a small five inch fish that felt so much bigger on the light rod. The colors on the fish were not disappointing as this one was all colored up. Brookies are truly the gems of New Hampshire Streams. As I released the fish into the water I looked around at all the beautiful foliage. I felt like I was fishing inside of a painting. Again, I wish I could bottle this moment for one of those cold winter days.
I looked down the river as those little brookies were giving Ray a few laughs. We worked our way down stream and fished a few other pools getting into a few more fish.
A few more hikers passed us by asking us how we were doing. Ray answered their query with the affirmative thumbs up. We decided to take our time and hike back to the truck and head out.
I mentioned to Ray that if we didn’t get a turkey on the way out that a cup of coffee and some more chocolate donuts would hit the spot. I got a thumbs up from that.
George Liset of Dover is an award-winning outdoor writer and avid fly fisherman who shares insights of his time on the water exploring New Hampshire streams and rivers as well of those around New England. George is a graduate of Wheaton College, Illinois, and the University of New Hampshire. His column Writing on the Fly has been honored by the New England Press Association and the New Hampshire Press Association.