Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Franklin Land Trust "wild brook trout forest"

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to fish a few wild trout streams in Northwest Massachusetts. The land in which these streams flow will now be a safe haven for wild brook trout. The effort to save the land as well as the brook trout and the wildlife that to call this forest home is the work of the Franklin Land Trust, Trout Unlimited, and Mass. Fish and Wildlife. These are lands that are now open to the public, and those that tread on these lands enjoy, and please respect all.

I met Josh Morse, who was my guide and teacher this day at the Land Trust office in Shelburne Falls, which is on the Deerfield River, at 7am. After a brief talk about the day ahead we placed the gear in the car and started for our first stream. It was about a 25 minute drive and while we drove Josh filled me in on some of the work the Trust and it's partners are doing. The drive was a pleasant one through the foothills and higher. Soon we were there at the once working farm, the base of the tract of land. It was a beautiful day and the forest as well as the fields. There were numerous birds flying here and there going about their daily business. Josh was there to point out and identify each one of them.


This is where we started our trek. In the valley of these mountains sits the streams we were to fish. There were two of them, one a feeder to the larger stream. The feeder is Burrington Brook, which flows into the West Branch North River.


The climb down is a steep one, and it has those little bumps and slippery spots that can send you into a tumble. It is hard to believe this was once a cow pasture. You talk about New England tenacity....


Burrington Brook. This is the stream that we first tossed a fly. We found many little plunge pools all of which were inviting.


The flies we chose to start were wet flies. After several retrieves of a Picket Pin I managed to raise a little brookie. Next Josh tried his hand, that's him in the picture. He had on a Dark Cahil wet and moved it through the pool. Suddenly from out of nowhere the brook trout slammed the fly. A moment later Josh had a Burrington Brook wild brookie at hand.


Wild Jewel


We made our way down to the North River and fished through the valley. There is so much more to fishing these small streams. One could fish the day and not catch a single fish and still have one of his best days.


We leap frogged down fishing pool and riffle. Fooling brookies, and loosing most.


A wild brook trout. This is an amazing creature. This fry was just of the redd. Born in an environment that is so very healthy and beautiful....and very hostile. Hopefully he will survive the harsh New England weather and be here for us next year. By the way there were hundreds of these little fry on this watershed.


A beautiful pool. This stream is healthy. There were a variety of insects hatching, caddis, stoneflies, Hendricksons, and probably some others I can't identify. But there were very few rising fish. That did not stop us from throwing a dry. We each took nice fish from this pool on dry flies.


Josh, and I hooked fish that jumped liked salmon. In fact we both thought they were. But at hand we saw yet another coloration of the brook trout.


This guy did not miss many meals. A true survivor.


We stopped for lunch streamside, and both tipped the restaurant.......



18 comments:

  1. Outstanding Job Al. Breathtaking photos of the scenery and the brookies!

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    Replies
    1. TROUTI,
      Thanks.
      Pete the camera clicked what I saw. A photo though can not due this place justice.

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  2. What an awesome looking trip! Amazing countryside for sure!
    Will

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    Replies
    1. Hibernation,
      Thanks.
      Will the place is awesome. Going back for sure.

      Delete
  3. "One could fish the day and not catch a single fish and still have one of his best days"...After seeing the pictures of the streams and surrounding hillsides I would have to whole-heartedly agree with your above statement. Beautiful place Alan, and I for one am just glad that there are people out there who are fighting to protect what few of those we actually have left.

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    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      Jeff there are a few wonderful souls out there. I'm happy they think like us.

      Delete
  4. Alan
    One awesome trip with some beautiful streams. That last pool is perfect for dries, hats off to Trout Unlimited!!! Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Bill a beautiful area indeed. Thanks should be given to the Franklin Land Trust for its great work on this conservation effort.

      Delete
  5. The North River looks particularly alluring. That was a terrific trip you had.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle,
      Thanks.
      The North River was the "biggest" small stream we fished. But I truly fell in love with the last little one we fished.
      That will be in my second post on FLT

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  6. Provided I didn't slip and fall on the way down to the stream, I would have enjoyed this adventure to no end. Brook trout and their waters are amazing. Thanks for sharing the great work of the FLT..................

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    Replies
    1. Gramps,
      Thanks.
      Mel, I slipped several times and luckily I landed on my butt. I know you would have had a wonderful experience.

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  7. Good to know this beautiful refuge exists. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      Jim they do, only wish there were more.

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  8. Great job to all involved protecting these streams. Couldn't think of better fly than a Picket Pin to use when fishing new water. That Dark Cahill is a close second for me as well. Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with us Alan.

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    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      John, the Pin is one of my best producers, and the Dark Cahil is a very close second.
      I'll have to get you up there one day.

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  9. These are some stunning streams (definitely agree with your point about not needing to catch fish to have a great day!) and glad to hear that they are being protected from development. They remind me of some streams from the White Mountains. Can't wait to see your next post on this trip and it's awesome how you took the time to be part of this effort!

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    Replies
    1. RI brook trout,
      Thanks.
      It's so comforting to know that what we saw that day will be the same forever. We need to contact FLT, and tell them of the fine work they are doing. Protect the forest, the forest will protect the stream, and the stream will protect the wild brook trout.
      I agree with you that the streams have a northern New England look.

      Delete