Autumn on the Nissequogue

Looking upstream on the Nissequogue on beat 7

 Autumn is starting flex it's muscles here on Long Island as some brilliant colors are beginning to pop here and there. I was able to get out for a while today to take a little of it in before it's gone in it's customary "blink of an eye."  Many of Long Island's spring creeks are not only challenging to land a few trout but are a great place to feel like you have removed yourself from the "rat race" without having to travel very far.  There is remarkable peace and quiet to be found here.....not mention some large trout for those willing to have some patience.

Walk to beat #7

Looking down stream on beat #7 with the dam in the foreground and my new Tenkara USA  4.5 level line on the left side of the picture (It's visibility is superb)

When I fish this beat I usually concentrate just below and just above the dam.  I can always count on trout hanging around there. Today was no different. I landed a number of rainbows in the 15-16" range that were all very solid fighters with some heft to them. I took them all on a #12 Killer Kebari (like those tied by Chris Stewart except that I used a grey Hungarian partridge). The only one that posed a problem was one rainbow that proceeded spit the hook, which flew over my shoulder and hooked my right shoulder blade.  That was not fun.

First rainbow of the day.

Although I had been casting to rising fish and was aware of at least a dozen good size trout, I was amazed to find 25-30 trout swimming in close formation on the opposite bank as I exited the stream.  The Nisseqougue is an exceptionally clear stream, which makes it easy for the fish to see you and more difficult to catch them.  You would think the same could be said for the angler but their coloration was more than enough to fool me and keep them hidden despite being only 10-15 ft away from me.

Casting platform on one of the fish ponds with some Canadian geese

Today was another good fishing day and I was reminded that with the changing of seasons upon us that we should all enjoy them as much as possible because they will not last forever.

A bench along the trail to rest after a "weary" day of fishing