Hi Folks, Guided a small stream with new fly anglers yesterday morning prior to the big storms. Water was really low, but the temperature was a pleasant 59 degrees. The small brooks/streams might be low, but they are maintaining their cool temperatures. We did get some big rain yesterday afternoon and evening. Almost an inch at my house in Stowe. Our rivers and the ground really needed it. Needless to say the rivers are a bit high and off colored today. Cost me a afternoon and morning trip. The brook fishing with a fly rod is good fun and a great place for beginners to gain an appreciation for fly fishing. It is mostly dry fly fishing with large attractor patterns. Great for anglers new to river fishing for learning about drifting the fly naturally and seeing trout eat the dry fly. Small stream fishing forces the angler to use the roll and false cast. You have to think about where you stand in the brook prior to casting. Also, shows how spooky trout can be as you often see a dark shape swim off rapidly when you spook them. When the water is low you can really gain some valuable knowledge of holding spots for trout that might not always be obvious. Yesterday we managed to bring 15 plus brook trout to the fly. A few 8" to 10" fish and we missed one big trout that was holding in an eddy off a deep plunge pool. Of course we also had our fair share of french fry sized brookies attack the dry fly. The flies of the day were a #14 trude and a #12 Royal Wulff. After missing the larger trout it was fun to watch the fish come up to the fly a second time and deny us. Finally, I think it is easier for beginner fly anglers to learn with light trout rods than heavier fly rods used in bass fishing. I am running my boat this afternoon for smallmouth. Remember to clean your gear and leave the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy
