THE BEAR SWAMPS

Remote Adirondack brook holds native trout for those who will bushwhack the thick forest. My father brought us to a secret place he called The Bear Swamps (not the real name).  This remote brook and meadow would pond significantly if beaver moved in and built a dam. This meadow would form a large pond and deep channels at times if the water got deep and allowed for good habitat and feisty native brook trout.  We had to follow a vague overgrown trail and at times bushwhack the thick Adirondack forest to get there.  From the time I was a little boy Dad and Uncle Jim would bring me and others to this remote place to fight black flies, mosquitoes, deer flies, moose flies, tall grass and thick alder trees covering sections of water to engage our quarry.
Each trip begins with ambling our fly rods, creels with worms, red flannel shirts and old stetson hats covered with Citronella.  To this day that scent brings me back there.  After a hquarryalf hour boat ride and 45 minute hike through the dense underbrush we would arrive.  If beaver had dammed the brook the fish would be big and hard to find.  If no dam the fish were small and hid under and structure they could find such as an and old log, stump or a cut in the bank.  It always was a great adventure.  

This small study produced from photos & sketches is a precursor to a larger scale work to go on the wall of an Adirondack chalet.