This is a few words about a favorite subject of mine, the wild brook trout. While fishing for them a few weeks ago in Maine I was able to get some information about them which I will bring to you at various times. When the European settlers arrived here the brook trout was in almost every stream and lake. Today they only occupy 9% of their historic range. In most states they have been pushed back into tiny head water streams, such as the one pictured above. These streams provide the "cold and clean" waters needed for their survival. These are true "natives" and need our help to continue to survive.
A Connecticut wild brook trout stream. The only litter that should be present is what nature puts in them.
The "Wardens Worry" This is a bucktail created by Warden Supervisor Joseph Stickney of Saco, Maine in 1930. It's a simple bucktail that requires few materials. I tie them in sizes 8 to 12. They have the ability to persuade trout and other game fish.
This time of year with all of the fairs and festivals happening one cannot help from straying from what they should be eating and what tastes good. This is a sweet treat that is available once a year to me. "Apple Fritters". We purchased them at a apple harvest festival Friday. The festival has been a tradition in the town of Southington, CT. for 40 years. Southington is home to many apple orchards.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
In the Upper Midwest we are at the western edge of the brook trout's natural habitat. Another fact: In one of our streams the brook trout retreat to the headwaters during multi-year droughts, and the browns push upstream too, looking for cooler water. When the rains come again, the brook trout repopulate the lower sections of the stream. It's is generally held that browns will take over from the brookies, where both of them live, but not here; it's dependent on the water quality and temperatures.
ReplyDeleteAnother fact: Your Picket Pin wet fly pattern caught a lot of nice brookies for me this summer.
Perry,
DeleteThanks.
Your statements are so true. But they do have a problem competing with browns.
In some of the streams here they will spawn with the browns, the result are tiger trout.
Perry,
DeleteHappy to hear of your success with the Picket Pin.
Very interesting to hear. Some of that has happened to certain trout species here in Sweden too. In some small streams it's easier to find good species of certain trout than in bigger waters. Looking forward to hear more about the happenings of the brook trout in your vicinity.
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Mats Olsson
The Jassid Man,
DeleteThanks.
Here in New England the brookie has a tough time in big rivers. They're there but do not compete well with the other trout, and salmon and don't achieve the same size.
It's amazing what can happen in a relative blink of an eye. Hopefully we can turn things around and restore more natives to more of their historical range.
ReplyDelete...the apple fritters looks fantastic!
Sanders,
DeleteThanks.
For sure my friend.
Got to love the "fritter"
After all these years of watching cowboy, Indian & settler movies, I know know that the Brook Trout is what they've been pulling out of the creeks when they catch fish. On to the Apple Fritter, much tastier looking than the ones you get from the local donut shop. Wonder if Apple Hill will have ones that look like that? We'll be up there in the next couple of weeks, stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
DeleteThanks.
At least the ones back east.
No comparison to donut shop fritters. Looking forward to you Apple Hill post.
Enjoyed the post Alan...now I'm on my way out to find some apple fritters!
ReplyDeletecofisher,
DeleteThanks.
I've been trying to find one or two that were left, but they're gone.
There's been a lot of troubling news lately about invasive species endangering the future of our wild brookies and here in Maine. I don't know what can be done but it is certainly a scary thought.
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
DeleteThanks.
It's a trend that needs stopping now. The Rapid is a river that's taking a heel of a hit.
I have always thought it a shame that I have never had the chance to find brook trout as easily as they could be found before. I only hope that many of their former haunts will be restored before they are pushed over the edge and the only place you can find them is in a museum or book.
ReplyDeleteKiwi,
DeleteThanks.
We are making some good headway in preserving what we have now, and helping to restore some of the watersheds that held wild populations before. Hopefully the book and museum thought will never come true.
Thanks for a little history lesson on the Brook Trout. It is sad that wild trout have such a battle for existance any more. Again, love seeing the ol' patterns we once used.
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
They are a strong bunch, it must be the "native" in them.
Hey Alan,
ReplyDeleteThe Warden's Worry is one of my all-time favorites for brook trout. But I tie mine with yellow hackle for the throat. Is yours a variation?
Sorry, that last post was from me.
ReplyDeletelabtrout,
DeleteThanks.
The one pictured has yellow hackle for a throat.
It's a fine fly for brookies.
Oh, OK. It must be the resolution on my computer that makes it looks light green or chartreuse. Regardless, your streamers are all beautiful, and thanks for sharing your Maine trip.
ReplyDeletelabtrout,
DeleteThanks.
Now that I look closer at it it appears to be a light green.