Small Streams

[Hook I]

I wanted to start a small stream thread here as not to be annoying with the other posters .

 

I'm enjoying it alot ,at times a 5 mile up & down is the norm & some times more to get away from the pressures of overfished waters, doing some reading this winter & hoping other guys / gals are doing the same . 

 

 DT lines compared to WF lines, 6'6' rods to longer rods ,Bamboo , casting changes roll casting ,bow & arrow ,dry & wet,nymphs 

 

and lastly LOVE those wild Bookies & Rainbows

 

as one of my fishing bud says " you can have anything on your sandwich so long as its peanut butter & jelly " 

[Uncle Stu]

I've always been a big fan of small trout streams, ever since I caught my first planter on a piece of pork rind when I was ten years old. I like how the gear can be very inexpensive, for example the Walmart Eagle Claw Featherlight glass rod for $25! Another thing I love is hiking up that creek and the anticipation of what's up around that next bend...

 

[Surf bomber]

Talked to a guy in North east jersey and he said he was catching cut throat trout locally but don't know where...I was catching picke ral in tiny streams but never saw a cut throat trout in 60 years of fishing in North East n.j.but still looking

[JohnP]

I’m a big fan of small streams. I have a 7.6 4 wt just for this purpose 

I fish a variety of nymphs or dries.

 

so much to talk about.

 

maybe some pictures first

 

 

[Gilbey]

I too am a big fan of small streams, and I share many of the same draws as already mentioned;  hiking off the beaten trail, short/light rods in tight spots, the beautiful scenery, and the incredible colors of the fish like those posted above. I love the "what's around the next bend" thoughts too. How about catching a fish from a small stream that is considerably larger than you would ever imagined was possible? That's the stuff that keeps me coming back for more. 

 

I spent a lot of time out west in my younger days and fished many of the big, fabled rivers. Yes, they all lived up to their reputation once I figured out some things. But many days, my day off was spent hiking miles up small streams in search of beautiful small trout. Sometimes it turned out to be nothing more than a nice hike in the woods. Other days were filled with shiny, writhing wild trout coming from every pool. Good times for sure. 

[titleguy]

Great pics- love small streams.  My 6' bamboo and 7' glass rods are a blast with small fish and small waters.  The fish are wild and beautiful ( and energetic) the environs are even better.  I started fly fishing this way as a 6 year old with my dad in Vermont.  two flies- royal coachman, grey hackle peacock.

 

The first pic is a stream that is within earshot of one of the busiest roads in Maine..  The second is a stream is fish a lot in the winter.

 

 

[Hook I]

some of the best fishing is right now except for all the rain we had the last week , making the water level extremely fast & high , but I'll get back out soon as its settling down , again most of the good fishing is in these creeks covered by alot of rocks & trees making casting fine than in the summer brush  . I've been lucky to be under the guidance of two lifelong small water anglers when I need some pointers ,in the beginning ( only a few years )  I never thought that stealth played an extremely huge part more than my casting ability , I'm talking water at times 10' -12' wide .I've seen more spooked fish than had a chance to catch in the beginning , LMAO 

Edited December 30, 2020 by Hook I

[robtf]

every trout stream I've fished in NJ is the definition of "small stream"... so much that my fav rod is a 6'6" 3wt (although a fellow from JSTU likes a long rod for nymphing even in small streams... though his technique is reminiscent of "dapping" in those places).

[titleguy]

I will be fishing the second stream pictured on Monday on my way back to Portland from a closing on the mid coast.   Thin Mint with a squirmy worm or red copper john soft hackle dropper.

[KidDkivahh]

This without a doubt is the shortest stream I've ever taken a Brookie out of . Start to finish 80 to a hundred yards long . Entirely spring fed been bone dry three times in the last seven years I haven't seen a fish in it in years . To bad it's less than 500 yards from my house . Favorite rods are 5ft 1 weight and a 5 foot 3 weight paired with Hardy flyweight reels . Larger streams I'll use 61/2 4weight or a 7 foot 3 weight Orvis cane rods paired with Hardy reels . 

[Hook I]

1 hour ago, KidDkivahh said:

This without a doubt is the shortest stream I've ever taken a Brookie out of . Start to finish 80 to a hundred yards long . Entirely spring fed been bone dry three times in the last seven years I haven't seen a fish in it in years . To bad it's less than 500 yards from my house . Favorite rods are 5ft 1 weight and a 5 foot 3 weight paired with Hardy flyweight reels . Larger streams I'll use 61/2 4weight or a 7 foot 3 weight Orvis cane rods paired with Hardy reels . 

Thats a shame ,been curious when I see some dry up ,some more than others,reading the topo maps sometimes they are listed & sometimes not ( ---------) usually an indication in blue  

[Jim DE]

Last time I fished a small stream was with a 12’ tenkara rod. These are perfect for these waters 

[The Fisherman]

2 hours ago, Hook I said:

  I never thought that stealth played an extremely huge part more than my casting ability , I'm talking water at times 10' -12' wide .I've seen more spooked fish than had a chance to catch in the beginning , LMAO 

Fellow small stream aficionado. You might enjoy an article I wrote many years ago for American Angler  titled Upstream Downstream Small Stream. It's about different tactical approaches on mountain/woodland brooks. A search of the web using the title will get you there. :-)

 

Steve Culton

[Hook I]

16 mins ago, The Fisherman said:

Fellow small stream aficionado. You might enjoy an article I wrote many years ago for American Angler  titled Upstream Downstream Small Stream. It's about different tactical approaches on mountain/woodland brooks. A search of the web using the title will get you there. :-)

 

Steve Culton

Steve I have viewed it a few times and it is excellent, informative and I need it ,   been to your seminar once also we could not get together for a guide trip , stars were not aligned for both . Happy New Year Chuck 

[Mike Oliver]

Good thread Hook. Takes me back in an instant to my roots. Coming spring will see me back on the banks of these tiny waterways. 
I am going to be guilty of a bit of heresy as I want to try out a specialised rod called a Dart 7.5 feet and a 3 wt. It’s a Sage and Rio does a matching line for it.

Its heresy as it is pretty fast for a little stick. Your strong dollar means I need to make from a blank which will be a lot of fun. I think the line is called a Creek or something like that.

Some small streams carry big fish to.

 

Mike