Jeanette and I spent some time this week at a favorite place of ours, the salter streams of Cape Cod. After having breakfast we headed to the first stream on our list. Arriving there I spotted a familiar truck, one that's used by Mass. Fisheries. Seeing this I knew what they were doing and what I was to expect. Walking down to the stream I saw biologist Steve Hurley and several of his crew doing a survey. We talked for a while and he informed me they were going to working the stream for a couple of days. I asked him about his plans for Red Brook and he told me they had done it last week. That made me happy for I knew it would be great to fish. So I bid farewell to Steve and left for Red Brook.
The Lyman cottage at the entrance to Red Brook. A welcome sight to us for it almost gives us that feeling of coming home. We have been visiting Red Brook several times a year for more than ten years and have enjoyed it's beauty. Lot's of history here going back well over a century. A great many of people our responsible for the success of this unique fishery and the land which it flows through. Every time I visit here and write about it I give my sincere thanks to those that make my days here memorable.
Red Brook in the morning. First ten casts I had two hook-ups and lost both fish. These brook trout are crafty. They use every bit of cover to their advantage.
Soon I was able to actually bring one to hand. A true wonder of the natural world...A Red Brook wild one...What plans does nature have for him?
Typical enhancement of Red Brook. This fallen tree does so much for the safety of the salters as well as keeping the stream scoured.
It also will gift you a wild salter if you manage to get your fly near that sweet spot.
Spring is in full swing and everywhere you look you see color. Flowers of almost every color along with a chorus of birds makes you feel this is the "best day of your life"
Jeanette and I have said many times that Red Brook is worth the visit anytime and even if one does not catch a fish you'll still be better for your effort.
You can fish a spot like this and say there has to be fish here but you have never even taken a hit here. Then the day comes when that changes and you almost forget what to do. A determined salter rocks your world.
The fish has obviously been in the bay. His color is now changing. He has been eating well and is now looking to move upstream to cooler waters. The streamer moves by and he strikes it. A run starts and soon he nears a tangle. I do my best to move him from it and succeed only to have him reverse direction and head downstream to another tangle. The battle continues but I mange to get the upper hand. Soon he is at hand. A feeling of victory does not come over me, but instead I feel blessed to be able to slide my hand under him. As I remove the fly and see him bolt for cover I realize that I have held a miracle of of nature. Be well friend, may our paths cross again.
A great many people and groups to thank here....The Lyman Family, The Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition, Massachusetts Div. Of Fish, Trout Unlimited, Trustees of Reservations and so many individuals who gave and continue to give so much for these beautiful unique fish.
For more information on this wonderful place click on the links.
https://www.searunbrookie.org/
https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/lyman-reserve/
