A Connecticut Native

He has been around since the last ice age, proof of this can be seen in the white icy edges of his fins. When the first settlers arrived from Europe they found him in the streams that flowed clean and cold. He was at home in the deep lakes and the beaver ponds, his only threat came from nature.

Soon the growing population of a new nation, and  everything  needed to supply that population began to boom. Towns and cities sprang up on the banks of rivers and streams, The waterways were dammed, mills and factories were built to supply the needs of a growing nation.

The natives homes were becoming less and less. This encroachment caused the native to go into survival mode. He retreated to the headwaters of tiny streams, streams that provided safety from the swell of man. He became prolific in these streams, and at times his numbers exceeded what the little streams could handle. His growth was stunted, for the streams could not provide the food needed to reach larger size. But survive he did.

Today this native is making a comeback. While he may never be the giant in size that he once was, he more than makes up for it in his beauty. His dark green back with worm like markings. His sides are spotted with gold and red dots the latter with blue halos. His fins are orange with edges that are black and tipped with white. His beauty is enhanced come the natives finest season, Autumn the time when his belly is the brightest orange. A true wild jewel of the stream.

I have had a long and wonderful relationship with this native, one I hope will continue.

The Wild Brook Trout.

Brk Trt...Alan Petrucci