Rainbow?

With most of the inland streams blown out, I drove to a familiar creek that I
was sure would be low (and clear!). It’s not often I get out alone, especially
this time of year, but today I had the stream to myself! I got comfortable, tied
on my favorite scud pattern, and second cast hooked a beautiful 12 inch browns.
I fished for over an hour, alone, and the fishing was great!

 Before too long, a group of three anglers arrived. They were new to fly
fishing and it was nice to share in their excitement as they enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of Spring Brook. Once I got back to fishing, it was brown trout after brown trout; then this happened…

A 16 inch (fat) rainbow! Rainbow trout haven’t been in Spring Brook in a
number of years (20 or so…). I have never caught, or heard of anyone catching a
bow out of here.

 I did some research and called the hatchery to see if they might have an explanation. The hatchery stocked some of their 2-year old surplus brown trout on Thursday (I wasn’t aware of any stocking in the stream). She must have tried to make a “getaway” and found herself in the creek.  Funny the things you learn when you ask a couple questions….

We’ve gotten soaked the past couple of weeks.  Streams are on their way down so have fun and CHUCK STREAMERS! Big buggers, including articulated patterns work great and produce large fish.

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