To spend time where life enters the sea revitalizes both the body and soul. Jeanette and I just spent that time at such a place. The streams of coastal Cape Cod at this time of year are the alive. Not only are the "salters" taking up new sections of the streams but the new life that was spawned last Spring are making their way to the sea. The air was crisp, a slight breeze moved the trees about. The sun shined and the brook flowed. Along the stream there were shadows and in these shadows were the iconic wild brook trout that take to the sea.
Lyman Reserve...Red Brook a welcome sight, like that of an old friend. We walked and fished here many times and still we feel like it is a first.
Where were we going to find our first willing fish. This time of year that could be anywhere along the entire reserve. I found the first brook trout to be quite small, perhaps 2-3 inches. He hit the fly as I was pulling it from the water to recast. I love seeing fish this size in a stream, I think you know why.
The next trout was a bit larger and dressed in fall attire. I have caught brook trout all over New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and none of them could compare with the power and tenacity of these salter brook trout. Tough ass New Englanders.
Not your typical freestone stream is it?
Quiet and cold waters. Streamers fished at various speeds. A slight bump, and then the pool erupts....wow.
I saw it's large back come up from the bottom to grab the fly. Once to steel struck the fish hit the bottom and raced for any tangle it could find. The fish was so strong that I said to Jeanette I will never land this fish. I kept looking at it's body twisting and running. I had to turn this battle in my favor, and I did. As the fish came to me Jeanette handed me the net. With the fish safely in it I glanced down and saw an incredible creation of nature. The brook trout was a female and heavy with spawn. A quick photo and revival and off she went.
Well that was the first part of this wonderful trip. Part two soon.
Beautiful pictures and some great looking salters! Fishing for salters is on my bucket list. Where I live in Southeast Jersey there is the Toms River which stays cold throughout the Summer and stocked brook trout would hold over well with an occasional report of a sea run brook trout getting caught. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of any spawning and it may because the water is fairly acidic and there may not be suitable gravel. What is the water and streambed like where the salters you just fished for spawn?
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
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Pat these trout are found in several streams along the coast. Mt understanding is they are unique to the stream they are born into. The streams have gravel bottoms suitable for spawning but they must be maintained to prevent sand from overtaking the bottom. The use of logs and added boulders help to prevent the sand buildup. Root clumps are added to provide cover.
It's a tremendous amount of work, most done by volunteers along with the state of Mass. Fisheries, TU and the Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition. Outstanding work.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThat hen is a beauty, I hope she finds a good mate and passes on those 'Tough Ass New Englander' genes!
I also have fishing for 'Salters' on my bucket list when I eventually get across to your side of the pond!
Over here in the UK I have caught a quite few Sea Trout (sea run Brownies) and the odd Atlantic Salmon, but I don't generally target them - although a few of the small streams near my home village in N Yorks. have significant (but short-lived) runs of Sea Trout in the summer months I have rarely timed the runs right!
Alistair
Alistair Corbishley
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Alistair I'm sure she will, and probably has for a few years. There are a few streams that have browns present.
The salter brook trout stay in fresh water through the summer months, and migrate to the salt for periods when the water cools. They are really special.
Always a great adventure. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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My pleasure Mark.
Wow what a beautiful brook trout that last fish was. I will have start searching for salters once we relocate to MA!
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark you will love those streams and the addictive "salter"...they will be found about a hour from you.
What a salter brook trout! Great job bringing that one to net in those close confines, Alan. That fish is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam she was a memorable catch..
Congrats to our Boston Red Sox...well done guys.
Well done indeed by the Red Sox! I am especially happy for JBJ who seems like such a fine young man. Always a great center fielder, his bat came alive in this series!
DeleteWhat a great trip Alan! That fish is so pretty - WOW! The second is huge - what a brookie!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will I was so excited, but that place does not disappoint.
Alan, Absolutely fantastic and what a fish. What a stunning place and the photographs do it justice.As a contrast we've got thick fog this morning, can't see the front gate it's so thick! Regards, John
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John it's such a peaceful area, and the trout are spectacular.
It's a very frosty morning here. Low thirties...
Alan- we'll done as always. Are Red Brook salters found upstream of the road or only in the estuary?
ReplyDeleteJim R
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Jim, depending what time of year, they can be found upstream. But the larger ones are indeed found in tide water.
Idyllic.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill that pretty much sums it up.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteGeeze, this is nice! The rather large Brookie is quite a prize and such a bruiser! Is this due to its proximity to the salt? The others are so colorful in their courting suits!
This is such a good blog-spot! A true American classic! Please keep up the great work you do!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug their size is the availability of the large buffet that the salt water affords them. They have the luxury of a cold water stream as well as an abundance of food.
I shall remain here for the near future...
That second fish is a proper salter, the kind that spends its summer days chowing on peanut bunker and bay anchovies. What a fish! I need to catch one like that still.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan just a few yards upstream from where I caught that salter I took another big brook trout that was as colored up as any CT brookie. The brook was full with herring fry going out to sea.
Alan
ReplyDeletePlaying catch up this morning on my blogging; what an outing, and even better quite a catch---you've got the best of two fishing destinations the salts and brook streams, I envy you!!! Beautiful area, thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill that stream alone has the two. I wish it were closer so I could really explore it.