I took the family to a nearby National Park over the Easter week-end. As a belated B'day present, my wife granted me a 1 day pass for unlimited fishing
Here are a few pictures that are representative of the day. After the first few fish pictures, I decided to put away the camera and focus on hitting the right spots on the stream & ensuring that I did not snag in the trees on the back cast.
I had tied a variety of dry, nymph and wet flies for the trip & was hoping that the patterns I had tied would work. As I found out the fish really took a liking to a few patterns and I had a wonderful time guiling the native rainbows into tasting my offerings.
I learned a few valuable lessons during the day's fishing session - (1) a rod that allows casting off its tip & with a medium to slow action makes the experience more enjoyable. I alternated between my superfine 4wt and Winston WT 2wt and found the Winston's action more appropriate. (2) don't wade and cast at the same time. I have a swollen left knee as a result of doing this
(3) I found that a more neutral (olive) line color was more effective than a brighter (Peachy orange) one.
Almost all the rainbows hit the Stimulator (afternoon) & BHPT (morning). I had a few that went after a parachute adams pattern. It was so cool seeing the fish rising from the depth to hit the dries. The speed with which they take the fly is unbelievable. I had to always be ready to set the hook instantaneously...otherwise they would bolt after tasting the hook.
All in all, a fantastic experience that was capped with my 4 y.o. landing her first little rainbow (
w help from Daddy) on a fly rod.
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Small Stream Nirvana
Anywhere can be the land of great expectations, broken dreams, or paradise found, it's all up to you.
You guys aren't exactly talking me into making the plunge just yet! 
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