ADK Annual Spring trip - A typical evening respite

There's lots more to the story, but  as usual, I will hope that others will tell it.

Adirondack Trifecta

He-men on the summit of Wright Peak,

Happy kids in the creek,

And Brook Trout in the pan.

Tori scores in the Brook trout department

Father's day outing

Adirondack brook trout bliss

bobbers, worms, and smiles

Mo's Brookies

So, I will be posting a more complete report on our family outing in the ADKs on Farm, Fur, Fin, Feather soon. We canoe camped in the Paul Smith's Brook Trout Management area, just north of the St. Regis Canoe Wilderness . We focused our fishing on Black and Long Ponds. According to Fishing Eastern New York by Spider Rybaak, both were reclaimed with chemicals in 1997 and now support Windfall-strain brook trout indigenous to New York. The 73-acre Black Pond is completely surrounded by forest and has an esker running along its west bank. Its average depth is 20 feet and the maximum is 45 feet deep. Spread over 14 acres, Long Pond is completely surrounded by forest, shrubs, and wetland. Averaging 9.5 feet deep and dropping to a maximum depth of 20 feet, it feeds Black Pond. Two dams—one at the canoe launch on the pond’s outlet, the other on the channel halfway to Black Pond—prevent fish movement between the two.

As Many of you know, Mo was injured 10 months ago. This trip was important for her in that it was her opportunity to push herself and simultaneously assure herself that she is no longer "broken." She seems like a new person after the trip. As Rich has said, God Bless the 'Dacks.

The film clip was shot June 24th, 2010--- ten months to the day from her accident. Solo canoe fishing, paddling in the Adirondacks, sleeping on the ground. I'd say she's back. Mark July 24th, 2010 on your calendars--- we are throwing a BIG party.

Brookies in Jefferson County

After meetings at Fort Drum and Jefferson County Extension yesterday, I slipped away for a few hours in the afternoon for some Brook Trout fishing. Had 7 on, four of which I landed, all decent fish. Caught 'em on a little terrestrial imitation of the black flying creatures that were dining on my forehead. Felts Mill Creek is a very pleasing pastoral bit of water, and 15 minutes from the extension office.

ADKs Brook Trout Expedition

I am feeling like a lucky guy. I just celebrated Mother's Day with a beautiful woman, my wife and the mother of my children, who reportedly LOVES to eat Brook Trout. Good thing I caught a few recently. You know the adage, get thee to an Adirondack Brook Trout place when the Trillium and the Trout Lilies say so.






































So I ventured forth to the Adirondacks in search of Brook Trout and the admiration of my women folk, with my friend and work colleague Jeremy Dietrich. First efforts seemed paltry...




































But after a change of venue and of fishing approach, I was ready to take on real fish with 3 wt fly rod and reel. As we were purposefully "exploring" all Brook Trout likely waters in the St. Regis Mountain region, versatility and flexibility were at a premium. Might be shore casting, might be fishing from a canoe...



































We fished Barnum Pond, Black Pond, Deer Pond, Long Pond, Mountain Pond, Lost Pond, Slush Pond, the Osgood River and the St. Regis River, catching over 100 Brook Trout on Thurs, Fri, and Sat AM. Most of these we released...but some were immediately ushered to the realms of gastronomie... here, preparing and cooking trout at the Long Pond Lean-To.






















































I caught a number of fish on the fly, and a great deal of fish were landed after having casted spinners (Mepps and other). Jeremy proved to be quite a competent guide, and made great efforts to be where the fish were. And we caught some nice fish...






































Before I sign off, here are a few final shots of the river or lake and that addictive species we are after. Thanks to Jeremy for coordinating a most memorable trip.

Canoga Creek Brookie

My local Trout Unlimited Chapter continues to take an interest in Canoga Creek. We worked hard to get DEC to allow the stocking of Brook Trout in Canoga Creek and succeeded, bringing the fish back to a creek they have been absent from for over thirty years. I was fortunate to catch one on a little bee pattern delicately presented in front of a mini-log jam in about 1 foot of water. Sweet satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment for the Canoga Creek.