Upper West Branch

We've seen a fair amount of rain this week and the reports seemed to indicate water flow would be a bit high on my usual streams so I ventured upstream on the West Branch to Hobart, NY. One of my goals is to net a wild brook trout and I figured now was the time to do it.  The farther upstream you go, the faster the flood waters tend to recede, and the DEC says there's a good population of wild brookies up that way so off I went.

I'd be lying if I said I was good at fishing pocket water and prospecting for trout when none are rising, but I gave it a go. The water looked fishy to me, but I didn't see a thing.  I went with a wooly worm, a small caddis imitation, and a royal wulff but to no avail.  I did finally use the old "face the trees, forward cast through the gaps, and fish your back-cast" trick. Works like a charm. 

Back in town, I fished in the park where they have the stream dammed off. There were a few fish rising on the still water so I figured I'd give it a go and at the very least, work on my casting.  The results speak for themselves: