Warren Winders A Brook Trouts Best Friend

Back in 2005 TU published an article in their magazine TROUT about a little stream in southeast Massachusetts called Red Brook. The stream flowed through property owned by the Lyman family to it's meeting with the salt water bay known as Buttermilk. In this brook lived the remnants of a once thriving robust breed of trout called "salters". These brook trout were special, spending part of their lives in salt water and part in fresh. The salters attained some serious size and were the quest of some notable anglers. But it seemed to be to good, and like many fisheries of past it took a turn, and not a good turn. The dams of early days, to much agriculture, and just poor management proved to much for the brook trout of Red Brook. That's when a man named Warren Winders and a group of dedicated anglers, as well as many environmental groups took action and they reversed the bad effects on the salter.

Jeanette and I first visited Red Brook in 2008. That day I can remember seeing a stream that was already under a restoration. A stream that still had wild brook trout, a stream that was in an area that my words could do it justice. This is a stream where you could leave your fly rod in the car and spends hours and not even miss it. The smells of pine and wildflowers, the calls and screeches of many birds, and the red stained waters flowing through watercress would provide words for your journal.

Since that day back in 2008 we have visited the special place many times. Each year spring and fall will find me casting to brook trout. These days I'm glad I've been graced to know Red Brook.

Days here few people are about. From time to time we have witnessed a few trail walkers, and some anglers, most of those are anglers who seek larger fish that Cape Cod has to offer. The research and restoration effort continues today. Mass Fish and Wildlife, TU, Mass Maritime and more groups along with countless hours of volunteer labor have really paid off.

In September of 2015 Jeanette and I fished Red Brook. That day we were introduced to a group that included Steve Hurley, MF&W, Geoffrey Day, of the Sea-run Brook Trout Coalition and a couple of wonderful interns from Patagonia Boston....and Warren Winders. It was a pleasure and honor to finally shake hands with this tireless fighter for the welfare of the brook trout of Red Brook. What can you say to a man that has done so much....two words...THANK YOU..from the heart.