We usually go into details on this blog. Developing and producing small things… like fly hooks, brings out the nerdy focus on just that: Details. Often we use words like design, point technology, finishes and stuff. Or we discuss tying related details… thread control, deer hair packing or stacking.
From time to time I want to take you out to some of places where the result of all these techniques, ideas and theories meets practice. So today, let’s visit the small streams.
Small streams, the words tell everything and immediately create images of small mountain creeks and gin clear water. But lots of different types of streams fits into the small stream category.
From bubbling mountain creeks, to small freestone rivers, woodland creeks, spring feed chalk streams and slow meandering lowland rivers or urban canals – small streams provide environments for a variety of fish – but for most of us I guess small streams seems deeply connected with trout fishing. If you want to know more about the small stream trout fishing, there is a rich literature on that subject.
Size – does it matter?
How big is a small stream? Well it depends ;0) Partly on how deep it is. A small stream can be wide and low – or narrow and deep. So the definition isn’t all black and white. Furthermore, geography influence the definition. I Denmark we have no really large streams, but since they differ in size we still categorize our streams in small and large: Even though our Norwegian and Swedish brothers would define all our streams to be ridiculously small. But then again… it all depends. You make your own definition.
To me a small stream is a place where I fish short fly rods, seldom have enough space to make an ordinary backcast – and where trout are plentiful, fast and often small… even though that’s not always the truth. Around here a monster sized sea run brown or a salty rainbow trout can show up in even the smallest streams. When it happens… things can get chaotic but interesting. The only thing that’s certain is, that these waterways are beautiful places to experience.
My guess is: No matter where you live – you have some kind of small stream nearby.
Check it out. You will return home a better man or woman after a day spent on a small stream – I promise you. Even if you go there in winter, without your fly rod, just to watch trout breeding and kingfishers and otters fishing through the closed season.
Have a nice weekend :0)
Michael