Hi. I Have a Small Stream Addiction. Here’s Why. (tR)

Started by Dee-Vo, October 08, 2017, 16:18:44 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Dee-Vo







A year and a half ago I flirted a bit with a stream as I passed it on my way up a larger stream. That day I nailed a decent brown within a few casts, then turned and reoccupied my primary target. Today I would revisit this mystery stream. It's been on my mind.

5:30 a.m. came early. Trying to sneak around the house in the dark isn't always easy. Checked the little man and hit the door running. Foggy and rainy. One to two inches of rain forecasted. Thinking back, it was pouring rain the initial time I had explored this area. Gas station stop, early morning snack, seen my brother heading to work, a short conversation began.

Brother : "You going fishing?"

Me : "Yea."

Brother : "You going to try to climb that slick shit like you always do?"

Me : "Yea."

He doesn't enjoy the small stream exploration as I do. You never know what'll be waiting. At times, it really blows. At times, it's glorious. Stressful times are rinsed away. No sounds except the water.


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Pulled my boots on, strung my rod, and zipped the rain jacket all as the sun draped the trees with the morning's first taste of light.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



On my way to this tributary, I spooked a 12" fish, and failed to net a couple smaller ones. Here's my stop. Right turn.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



As I recalled. This area, especially the trib, seems to be trashed with fallen timber often. Navigating through and over dead falls and brush is a big part of covering water here. Cramped little creek.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



A large pine had someone's deer stand cable attached to it. No hunting here. Brave soul.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Another feller has been here. I spotted several weeds and some nettle that had been trampled. Until now, I didn't know it was a person. This was a bit disheartening. He went a ways then gave up. He didn't know what he was missing.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Lost a few small fish. Then picked up a couple. The creek looked helpless for a bit. Things were picking up the higher I climbed.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



A larger brown only a couple minutes later. This was starting to get good, although the docile behavior of this flow was quickly morphing into something much more ragged and serious.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



And another.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



This aggravating nettle was thick and populous. Some was shoulder high. Had it all over my face and arms and legs for the entire trip. Fun. A cake walk compared to my poison ivy/oak experiences.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



What's this? A gorgeous native. I expected to encounter these much sooner.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



A large pool at the base of a fall. First cast. A fish takes the nymph with abandon. Like a boss. It was the boss. The stream boss. This small stream Leroy was here to play. A hell of a battle. I thought maybe I had a 14" brookie. Then I seen the butter and the dazzling red splotches as I rushed to net the fish. Prettiest brown I've landed.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



After smiling a while and enjoying that moment, I continued. Things got rough.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Cascades for days. Slick as hell.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



A second vertical wall of water. While standing here, a monstrous BOOM took place. A 100 plus foot widow maker toppled thirty feet behind me. I almost had a stroke. Thought I was leaving this world. Lucky I had moved upstream a bit.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Fishable water was nil at this point. Upon my descent, I slip uncontrollably down a long cascade. Ass is getting pounded. Pop. Something happens. I hit bottom. Sore, I stand and evaluate myself. My hand is hurting and swelling. I then notice the tan line on my ring finger. My wedding ring is gone. A solid platinum, $2400 ring my wife purchased a few weeks prior to us being married. I nearly puke. Holy shit. My ring caught a rock and then was jerked from my finger. I can't believe I didn't lose a finger or at least break it. I climb back up. Panicking. After a while I spot a silver glint in a dark hole two inches deep with water and leaves. I'll be. Happiest moment I've had in a LONG while. Thank the heavens.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Hiking out. Woodpecker carnage.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login


Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



Now to carve and paint pumpkins with the little one. What a day.

Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please Register or Login



An awesome trip. This trip won't soon be forgotten.




Onslow

Damn, those are some solid browns for any east sloper, much less a pisser such as that!  Awesome reportage. 

tomato can



Big J

Quote from: tomato can on October 08, 2017, 16:42:51 PM
You should ask Big J for wedding band searches.

I've lost two fishing.  The first one was 3 months after we got married from the SOHO trip from Hades.  Just ask Tomato Can and Doug. And the ring was a custom made ring with wife's fingerprint engraved around outside of it. 

Second one was 1 week before my one year anniversary.  I bought a cheap Walmart band to get me by the anniversary before I spilled the beans.  She called out the ring at a restaurant at breakfast on our anniversary day.  Noticed it was different she said, no idea how. 

The Walmart ring is still going strong!  Finger is green, but going strong. 


ryguy

That's one thing I've been worried about.  How'd your wife take it after only 3 months?
I'll try one of those silicone bands next.  Less chance of losing my finger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

greg

Heck of a day. Pretty fish. I've lost one band in 26 years. Lost canoeing damn green river.

Stone-Man

Great stuff,Dee

Do it while you have some youth left in your legs
Pretty photos and prettier fish   'c; bd;0

  JT

Dougfish

"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
 Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? "
Kelly's Heroes,1970

"I don't wanna go to hell,
But if I do,
It'll be 'cause of you..."
Strange Desire, The Black Keys, 2006

buddy_25_99

Hell yeah!!! Bad ass day!! Work spontaneously fucked my adventure for the day I planned out. Another few weeks it's all we will have to do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dee-Vo

Quote from: buddy_25_99 on October 08, 2017, 20:42:31 PM
Hell yeah!!! Bad ass day!! Work spontaneously fucked my adventure for the day I planned out. Another few weeks it's all we will have to do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If the weather in WV was no worse than the steady but not too heavy rain here, then we could've done the deed up there. We'll hit it.

DRIFTS

My knees feel the pain just looking at this...the video really shows how steep that really is, way cool! 0:0
l><))))))))))))))))),/*>~----------------------dave

Al

Good report and great pictures. Damn lucky on the ring.

Ahhhh to be young again.  All that billy goat stuff is just a memory to me.

Fishbug

Good stuff---

Was this an 6-8 hr adventure?; surprised you had time for pumpkin carving after.

Double luck on the ring too...
sent a pm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dee-Vo

Quote from: Fishbug on October 09, 2017, 08:29:20 AM
Good stuff---

Was this an 6-8 hr adventure?; surprised you had time for pumpkin carving after.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Counting driving times, this total endeavor took about 9 hours. Out of the truck time (non-driving) totaled about 7 hours total on the creek and in the woods. This is where getting up at 5:30 am really helps. Got back to the house and painted pumpkins. We've yet to carve the two large ones we have. One night this week.