What is the relationship between cane and caddis in Connecticut? Connecticut was home to two of the greatest minds in cane rod building and caddis fly pattern development, E.W. Edwards and Gary LaFontaine, respectively. On a recent outing, I channeled a connection with Edwards and LaFontaine. I fished one of my cane rods that was built with multiple techniques developed by Edwards. At the end of my rod was LaFontaine’s Deep Sparkle Pupa caddis pattern. The Edwards-LaFontaine connection worked, and I was rewarded.
The locations I like to fish are far removed from anglers. These locations often require a bit more effort to reach, are not terribly well known, but visits are often rewarding. On a recent summer evening, I ventured out to one such spot. Virtually inaccessible by hiking paths, it required a fair amount of wading. As night descended on the river, navigating dark pocket water became exceedingly more difficult, but it was all worth it. Moving selective brown trout to take an artificial fly, requires all parts of the fly fishing puzzle to fit together snugly. I engage in two types of fishing, both for “trout.” The first is pure sport fishing. I fish for selective feeding, invasive, wild brown trout. These fish are not native to Connecticut. They have overrun certain waterways and have the ability to adapt and survive even when the water warms in the summer. The second type of fishing is for native wild brook trout. Technically not trout, they are part of the char genus. Here, my focus is entirely on small streams and headwaters of larger streams and rivers. This type of fishing is part sport, part spiritual, part philosophical contemplation and part medicine. They are the most beautiful fish I have ever seen. Pound for pound, they fight like no other fish. They are spooky hunters, conditioned for survival. I’m in awe of them. In shallow, narrow streams, threats come from everywhere. Snakes, birds and other animals look for them. Warming waters choke them out of habitat. Streams dry up. Yet, they have continued to populate Connecticut for some 10,000 years. When I have the opportunity to hold one and gently return it to the water where it was taken, I’m healed and rejuvenated. They are a spiritual salve that heals the soul. One recent day in early March, I headed out to a first order, unnamed stream very deep in a Connecticut forest. There were virtually no signs of fishing pressure, which is the kind of place I prefer. I stumbled upon a nice deep pool, as the stream curved and meandered through the forest. The water was gin clear. I did not see any fish upon my approach. Yet, this pool had all the attributes of holding a native wild brook trout. With an upstream presentation of a soft hacked wet fly with an overly long tale, I wondered if my freestyled fly with an orange hotspot resembled the kind of snack found in and around this pool. Several casts and retrieves in higher water columns revealed no fish life. On my next cast, I allowed my fly to descend to a more significant depth, and it began to fall deeper into a snaking flow of water between boulders almost on the stream floor. An inquisitive wild native brook trout emerged from a boulder to investigate and to sample the feathered delicacy… Of significance, this brook trout was a survivor. Not only have he and his ancestors negotiated an ever changing landscape for some 10,000 years, but he wore the signs of an obvious struggle. With scars on his left and right flanks, he escaped the talons of one or more predators. He is a true, courageous survivor, cloaked in beautiful colors…
One of my absolute favorite times to be on the water chasing wild native fish is in the dead of winter. With life in a frozen condition, it almost seems like nothing is around. Yet, with a flowing, spring fed small stream, life is often a few inches beneath the surface.
I headed out with my newly made 6’ 3wt. If a cane rod could talk, this rod would utter the words, “Small Stream Special.” Designed for canopy laden small streams, this technical rod’s progressive taper feels like an extension of one’s arm. From casting tight loops up and down stream, to roll casting, this rod did it all in tight quarters. Organized with my Richardson Chest Fly Box, I began my adventure. I was rewarded with char after char. And consistent with my last couple trips to this stream, I brought a wild (non-native) brown to hand. Each time I visit this stream, I become fueled and energized by God’s beautiful creation. I think it is fair to say that fly fishing with bamboo and building bamboo fly rods are paths less traveled. For those of us who gravitate toward such paths, we often find meaning in places others ignore, especially in a world where immediacy and excess are rewarded. My December was defined by the “path less traveled.” Fly fishing both a first-rate tailwater and abundant small streams, I’m fortunate to have options. High flows plagued my tailwater, and as such, I found myself finishing off the year fly fishing some great small streams. One of my favorite aspects of small stream fishing is never knowing where you will end up. December was marked with exploration, as I ventured up named small streams to unnamed first- and second-order tributaries. A fun time being embedded deep in nature. On the building side of things, I commenced work on a less common rod type: a five-sided or “penta” rod. I really like pentas. They are unique and often misunderstood. They require less glue, flex in the cane as opposed to in a glue line, and can bring about some additional power. I also very much like the look of spiral node staggering on an aggressively flamed rod. It can be hypnotic. Of course, it really comes down to the taper, not the number of strips. This particular rod is being designed as a “tailwater” rod, capable of delicate presentations to selective wild trout, but with sufficient backbone to handle a multitude of conditions. A possible resolution for the new year: Consider taking the long way home. It may be filled with wonderful surprises.
God’s beautiful creations brought to hand with a finely crafted organic product, admired and gently released back to clear, cold water…
Date: 11/2/23
Time: 11:30am-3:00pm Weather: sunny, some clouds Air: 37° Water: 47° pH: 7.32 Making up for a lack of fishing over the summer, I headed out again in early November. This particular location is comprised of one main stream, along with a number of named tributaries that branch off of it. The last time I was here, it was on a very similar day with air and water temperatures within degrees of my recordi ngs this day. With a downstream presentation, I caught this beautiful wild native brook trout. Interestingly, after gently releasing him, we hung out together for a bit. Date: 10/24/23
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm Weather: sunny, cloudy Air: 48° Water: 56° A good day, filled with hatches, variable water types, and delicate presentations to selective feeders. Channeling the spirit of the great E.H. “Polly” Rosborough, I used one of his famous flies, a Casual Dress variant. I, too, was casually dressed beneath my waders, which was good because I took an unexpected plunge up to my neck after catching the above pictured salmon. Date: 10/17/23 Time: 9:00am-5:00pm Weather: sunny, cloudy, light drizzle Air: 58° Water: 59° With tiny flies and good hatches, the fall season presents wonderful opportunities for fly fishing. This recent day on the water was filled with technical presentations to selective browns. One of my medium action cane rods with a 3 weight double taper line allowed tiny BWO flies to be delivered with almost no surface disturbance. Date: 09/12/23
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm Weather: sunny Air: 76° Water: 66° Water pH: 7.48 After a very long absence, I returned to a favorite small stream. This small waterway is almost impossible to find. It is obscured from the road, and I’ve never seen anyone there. It offers an incredible amount of small stream variability - pocket water, runs, pools, turbulent waterfalls, etc.. With this kind of variability, it forces one to think though different fly strategies and presentations. It is ideally well suited for one of my 7’, 3wt. cane rods. |
AuthorMichael D. Day, Maker Categories
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