Thin Blue Lines

Just another thin blue line

If I had one and only one kind of place to fish it would have to be fishing those "thin blue lines".  Thin blue lines refer to the blue lines that represent small streams on a topographical map, many of which may not have names.  If you still do not know what kind of place thin blue lines are I refer you to Alan at Small Stream Reflections. In my opinion, there is no better blog out there that exemplifies what kind of places I love to fish.

Newly emerged Canada Mayflower leaves

 The only problem I have with this kind of fishing is that it's virtually non-existent on Long Island, where I live.  However, this past weekend I went home with the family to visit my parents.  I always manage to find a couple of hours early in the morning to get out and do a little hiking and fishing.

First wild brook trout to be brought to hand

When fishing in these places for wild brook trout you will seldom bring fish to hand that would qualify as a "trophy" by many other anglers but it can be challenging, frustrating, and rewarding all the same.  In many instances you will have an entire stream to yourself and you will get to see many things that generally go unnoticed by fisherman more concerned with bigger fish and rivers.

Partridge berry laying almost hidden on the forest floor

I was searching out brook trout but found trout of another kind.  The advantage of seeking this type of trout is that you don't have to crawl on hands and knees just to avoid spooking them.

Trout Lilly just about to bloom

Another trout lilly bloom I found "decapitated" on the ground

Trout Lillies add some color to the forest floor as the rest of the woods begin to "green-up" with the warming days of spring.  They get their name from the leaves that somewhat resemble the flank of of a trout.  Serendipity is something that always comes to mind when exploring and fishing these little streams.  While searching out those wild miracles of evolution that have managed to survive for millennia in in the cold and sometime harsh mountain waters one is able to come across other organisms that are equally adept at surviving.  This is something I have always found appealing and probably never grow tired of when exploring those "thin blue lines."

One of my wild trophies on the day