Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Red Brook 5-23-17...A Quest For Salters

The Lyman Cottage
Yesterday I spent some time at my favorite salter stream on Cape Cod. The trip was not planned but the time seemed right to do it. With the summer season about to begin which brings summer tourists and traffic associated with them now was the time. I left home at 5am and was having a blueberry muffin and coffee at Leo's in Buzzards Bay a little after 7. Breakfast finished it was a short drive to Red Brook. As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed two cars there and guessed they were walkers.

As I started to gear up I had the pleasure of seeing the Lyman Cottage, what a pretty sight to view before starting my fishing day. In a few minutes I was on the trail to the brook. The air was clean with a hint of salt. The sun was out and the air crisp.


Red Brook at tidewater, fresh meets salt. The tide was high and just starting to move out. I crossed the bridge and headed inland.


I moved along the trail that wanders near the brook. My plan was to walk upstream as far as I could and fish the brook all the way back to the sea. Let me tell you the walk alone is worth the trip. Wild life, birds, and the many forms of greenery.... "it's just beautiful".


I reached my starting point. I heard voices, which was strange for I had not passed anybody on the trail. As I peered through the trees I saw three young women in the stream. I said hello and it sort of startled them. I asked about them and their mission and was told the were students from Mass. Maritime Academy and they were doing a flow survey of the brook. It was part of a year long project to see how much flow the underground springs contribute to Red Brook. They were just finishing up, so I waited before starting my day.


Brook Trout...I don't know if this guy spent anytime at sea
Fishing streamers is always a good bet on Red Brook...and the third cast a streamer brought this beautiful unique strain of brook trout to hand. These fish are incredibly strong. They battle and will find every bit stream cover in an attempt to gain freedom.


Like I said the beauty along the stream is worth the trip.


So much vegetation, it's almost jungle like in places. I was working a streamer when I observed a fish rise. It's not uncommon to see that here but I attribute it to a larger fish chasing a smaller fish to the surface as apposed to a trout rising to an insect. But when it happened several times I decided to put on a dry fly and see if I could bring the fish up.


It worked...I was able to get two of these guys to take the dry.


An iconic New England streamer, stands ready to take an iconic New England brook trout.


I sat down here to have some water and a few walnuts. The peace and the quiet was refreshing.


This fish had such color. The blues and greens of its body really stood out from the "reddish" color of the brook.


I was on my way to a spot close to tidewater when I observed this bird...it was here where I encountered my strongest fish of the day..more later on it in the next post.


My day was complete at Red Brook. I caught a few brook trout and had a surprise or two.
One very pleasant surprise was and old friend, and a new one....It was nice seeing you again.
















30 comments:

  1. I love reading about your Red Brook exploits Alan. The brook is aptly named for sure. Do you find fishing is better according to the tides or they have no consequence?

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    1. penbayman
      Thanks
      Mike it does have a red tint to it.
      I don't know for sure if the tides have an effect on the trout, but I have had better luck with a high or retreating tide.

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  2. Great water! Is that a C&S rod? Thanks for sharing Alan.

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    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      Ralph Cane and Silk is right. It's the 5' 2/3wt.

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  3. Great pictures Alan. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Bob W.
      Thanks
      Bob it's a wonderful place to visit.

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  4. Great stream and awesome documentation of it's path Alan. Thanks for taking us with you... Such an awesome place to spend time! That one brookie almost looks southern Appalachian in color - gorgeous!

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will an oasis of sorts..so much salty activity, and then there's the trout. There is color variations in that stream. I have taken brookies that are blue-silver to the standard colored brookies.

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  5. As always Alan, thanks for taking us along for the trip. So much different than out here.

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    1. Mark Kautz
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      Mark, to think there are brook trout that spend time at sea is just plain mind boggling, at least to me.

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  6. Your posts on fishing Red Brook area have always intrigued me as something to see and learn from. For most of us will never have the pleasure. Those Sea-Run Brookies are handsome fish.

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    1. The Bluegill Bug
      Thanks
      Mel I wish you could experience Red Brook and the brook trout that swim its waters, for I know you with out a doubt you would love it.

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  7. Alan
    Landing those beautiful brook trout was worth the two hour drive. After moving to Tennessee I've discovered an hour and half drive to fish is not unusual. The Eastern Male Towhee is a colorful bird---I've seen just a few at my feeders this year. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill right now the drive to the Cape is an enjoyable one, but in a month I would not attempt it.
      That bird kept me company for a spell.

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  8. Tell you what Alan, you dont half get around...lovely post again mate.

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    1. George
      Thanks
      George I love what I do so I must grab it with gusto.

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  9. Lovely trip. Are you fishing your streamers up stream or down.
    Capt. Ray

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    1. ray henley
      Thanks
      Ray I fish them downstream.

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  10. Alan, it makes my day when I read a new post about your adventures. The story and accompanying beautiful pictures always makes me happy.

    I thought about you tonight as I was driving back from Pennsylvania being I know you like listening to the Sox on radio. I started out in Hershey and listening to their nice win tonight took me from Milford, PA just about to my door.

    Best Regards, Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam I had that game on last night, it was nice to hear them put a series of hits together to get that win. A team effort for sure.
      Milford is a great little town. I have fished and hunted that area for over 30 years. Lots of memories.

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  11. Good Stuff Alan! Love the photos of the scenery along the stream. That first brook trout is a beauty, gorgeous colors!

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete several of them had autumn colors. And some appeared to have been at sea. Nice variations for sure.

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  12. what type of streamer is that? beautiful pictures, they always brighten my day at work.

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    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      The streamer pictured with the rod is the "Family Recipe"...the streamer in the trout is a "Montreal Whore"
      I'm glad you enjoy the blog.

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  13. So, while I'm galavanting around the Rockies, I see you are not letting grass grow under your feet. This area really speaks to me. Especially your resting place. Thanks Alan.

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    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard the area is lovely, the fish were willing, and the walnuts and water were especially good when consumed in such surroundings.

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  14. I love your salter posts; I never got to fish those waters when I lived in NH. Now, I'm a lot closer to the St. Lawrence seaway than I am to the Cape and I'm going to have to be happy living vicariously through your wonderful pictures. Thank you.

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    1. mike
      Thanks
      Mike I did some fishing in that seaway some 40 years ago, Alexandria Bay N.Y.....now it's intimate waters that flow gentle for me. Red Brook will refresh your mind, body and soul.

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  15. Very nice post Alan. I also enjoy watching birds while trout fishing. I had a rare treat last week. When I returned home, there was an Indigo Bunting, on my front lawn (Madison). First one I've ever seen. Its electric or cobalt blueness was simply incredible.

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    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John I find birds seem to be more relaxed when seeing me in the stream. It's almost like your a part of there world.
      I've never seen an Indigo Bunting, but a reader of this blog who lives in Texas has posted photos of them many times. They are truly spectacular and you were fortunate to see one.

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