Trout Opener 2012
The countdown is over, the rivers are open, and I FINALLY got the chance to head out for trout today!
As much I enjoy going out for crappie, I really love it when more water and more fish are open. As far as I’m concerned, Trout opener is almost as good as Christmas. Playful little brook trout are a great way to put a smile on my face.
Of course, consideration number one for trout opener is always, where should we fish? Neither Darrell nor I like to deal with the crowds on trout opener, so we decided to visit a stretch of river that is on private land we have access to.
Ahh, back to the river....
The moment I caught a glimpse of the shimmering water weaving through the field, and heard the water rushing through the rapids, I felt like I had returned home after a long absence. This is where I learned to fish.
Because of the chilly morning temperature we had waited until later in the morning to head out, hoping that the day would warm up, and so would the bite. Hoping our plan would pan out, I tied on a spinner, watched for any movement, picked a little back eddy, and started casting.
Several casts later, all I had was a lot of twisted line, frustration, and the need to re-tie. Darrell, however, had some better luck and had the first catch of the day.
Darrell's first catch of the day.
A better look at the brookie.
I thought we were off to a good start after that fish, but several more casts and lure changes provided no action. We moved from pool to pool, occasionally stopping to fish faster water, and though we had a few hits, nothing was serious.
Watching the water revealed little action. Now and then I’d see a shadow or a flash, I’d get a hit on my lure, but the fish were not active. Hoping to change things up and end my skunk, I headed for the honey-hole.
The honey-hole
The honey-hole is a pool located just past a curve in the river where we have pulled more quality brook trout out of then either of us can remember. This was the scene of our memorable ‘flying brookies‘ episode, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation as I reached my place on shore and cast my Mepps Black Fury spinner. It didn’t take long to be rewarded!
My first trout of opener. Yay!
A closer look at my first trout on opener. We weren't catching big fish, but they sure were a blast.
After fishing a few more pools and finding nothing but weeds, it was time to take a snack break and enjoy a peaceful place on the river.
I could have headed out for bigger fish and busier water, but then I would have missed this great little picnic site and a chance to enjoy the sight, sounds and smells. I was so focused on the fishing that I didn't realize I had left my phone at this spot until I tried to take a picture of another brookie Darrell had caught.
Eventually we noticed increased activity on the water surface. The hatch was on! With the sun warming things up, the hatch was bringing the water to life and fish were surfacing. What a day to leave the fly rod at home…
Fortunately, the spinner was enticing enough, and I started catching fish. One of the neat things about this river is that, in addition to a healthy brook trout population, it is home to a thriving Atlantic salmon population. And they are little piggies. The season is always closed on inland Atlantics, but it doesn’t stop them from biting. They are fantastic little fighters and after a quick picture, they were released to see them grow bigger and hopefully end up in Lake Ontario one day.
By the time I had played with a few little Atlantics, and long-line released a decent brookie, I was happy and relaxed, feeling like it had been one heck of a wonderful day.
We finished our fishing in the spot we started, by the bridge. I was having a great time casting under the bridge, sending the lure farther and farther inside, while watching fish chase it and smack it. It was a great time until I got snagged and thought I was going to lose my lure. However, my awesome fishing buddy decided there was no need to lose a spinner, and went for a walk.
Off to save my lure...
While it was not the busiest trout opener in terms of fish, any day on the water is an awesome one, and trout opener is never to be taken for granted. Just watching the water, remembering how to read the river and cast in tight spaces, is reward enough for one day. Some crazy little fish were the icing on the cake. Now I have months and months ahead of being able to hit the river. After-work fishing trips can resume, and my fly rod can be dusted off and continue to it’s education of trying to slow me down (I rush things too much).
Tomorrow’s another day and another chance to play with trout. I love this!
argosgirl
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Glad you had some luck! Conditions this year for early season brook fishing have been great with such little runoff. I haven’t been able to get my mind off fishing panfish long enough to attack the trout seriously yet though! Congrats on your day!
Thanks! It was a little cold for a great bite, but the temps are due to warm up this week so that will help. I’ll admit, I did think twice about hitting the river both days this weekend, instead of getting on the lake for panfish. But brookies were how I learned to fish, and the river was calling to me, I had to go 🙂