Earth Day in Brook Trout Forest

I was up at 4am, had some coffee, shower and other necessities taken care of I placed the appropriate gear in the car and I was off. Today I headed east and as I crossed the big river that big bright ball of flame was in my eyes and I knew this was to be a great day. This was Earth Day 2015 and I choose a special stream to fish this day, a stream in Brook Trout Forest. About an hour in to the ride I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts for a cup of coffee. I was close to the stream and I wanted to enjoy a few minutes alongside it with some coffee. As I pulled onto to the forest service road I could see that winter was rough, and the heavy rains the day before had left some very deep ruts to negotiate which I did without spilling a drop of coffee. As the car stopped at a pull off right at the stream I glanced at the flowing waters. It was at a near perfect level, tumbling over rock and blow down. Its tannin stained water glistened in the sunlight which had now poked through the hemlocks. I was anxious to fish the stream but took the time to savor the coffee and enjoy what I was viewing.

I geared up and was walking along the brook when I spooked my first fish. The brookie came darting from upstream and was gone in a second. The first cast quickly brought a response, and a hard strike was felt. When I saw the fish I could not believe his size. I estimated him to be 3 inches. What a strong fish for its size. These fish were hungry this day and I hoped to take advantage. I had not fished here since last August, but the stream was pretty much the same as last I fished it. A few more trees in the water to deal with and perhaps more sand in places but overall in great shape.

This is an upstream run that I love to fish. Its waters flow smoothly and offer deep water with some wonderful undercuts. The one problem are the briars that grow along side. Right now they are tolerable but within a few weeks they will be all but closing the upper part of the stream except to those who enjoy giving blood. It was along this section that my first brook trout came to hand.

He was a handsome male that took a wet fly. His condition was solid and he seemed to weather the tough winter better than most of us did.

I continued to move up and fish, taking several hits as I moved. I was at a point where the briars were about to receive my white flag. In one of the last few casts made I had a fish dart sideways from a bank and strike the fly. The fish went airborne and tried to throw the fly. Moments later I had in hand one of the special brookies this stream harbors. He was almost black in color. The dark tea stained waters of this stream produce these fish.

Notice the spider near my finger.....

I love these dark brook trout.

Lots of new green showing along the streams. Even as you walk through the forest the signs of new life is about.

The stream was tumbling along, crashing against the rocks. The brook trout were there in the back eddies and at those slick spots here and there. They will grab a fly as it hangs momentarily in the current.

I took a break for lunch and enjoyed a cup of coffee and a snack bar. A simple snack can taste so good when its served up with the right amount nature to season it.

The last fish of the day showed a more common look of the eastern brook trout. I was lucky to have been able to fish for both this day.