Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Sudbury Valley Trustees, The Brook Trout has Another Friend

Yesterday after a considerable amount of time I paid a visit to the Sudbury Valley Trustees Memorial Forest conserved property. This trip was planned I guess from the first time I had a conversation with a board member who is Bruce Osterling. The conversation was about several wild brook trout streams mere miles from metro Boston. My ears perked up and I just had to see this. Bruce and I met at a local Starbucks and discussed our plans for the day. After that strong jolt of caffeine we head to the home base of the SVT. It's a beautiful old farm that has gone under some updating but still very much retains it's original charm. It was here where we met the Executive Director of SVT, Lisa Vernegaard. She was very gracious and spent some time telling me about the work of SVT various properties and highlighting the one we were to visit today. I was very appreciative of the way their mission was laid out to me.

Then it was time to head out to the "Forest"....a lovely drive and we were there.


This place is an incredible habitat. You can not look in any one direction and not see beauty.


This is a seep...there are brook trout that use this "above, and below ground" waterway.


It would not be New England without old stone walls.


A wild brook trout stream...cooled by underground springs that keep the water in the 50's even in the summer. I could not get in there to fish for I was not in waders.


In areas I could access I was able to coax a few fish.


My guide for the day, a very knowledgeable Bruce Osterling.


There are not many cold water stream in eastern Massachusetts, but this is one of them. I can't say thanks enough to the people who work so hard to preserve this area, and others like it. The brook trout needs as many friends as he can get, and Sudbury Valley Trustees are a "Best Friend"


One of several brought to hand this day...a true wild New Englander, a native and a friend.

More information here...http://www.svtweb.org/news/brook-trout-memorial-forest











17 comments:

  1. That's looking like an awesome time in a gorgeous place! Well done to SVT for the work they are doing - for brookies and all of us!
    Will

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will an incredible place. There are not many streams like this.

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  2. Unbelievable that such a place still exists so close to Boston and the highly populated surrounding area. I hope it stays that way forever! What a beautiful brook trout you caught there, plump too.

    Since I have started reading your blog site, Alan, I view wetlands and "swamps" in a different light being they seem to be the headwaters of the small streams being spring fed. I always thought they were just low areas where water collected and got warm. Not the case!

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam now that it's protected it shall remain a sanctuary for wild brook trout.
      The area you talk of are so important. The times when they do warm the trout will find suitable cold water to survive.

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  3. Alan
    Thanks to STV, Trout Unlimited and many other organizations throughout the U.S for their help in preserving the trout habitat. thanks for sharing

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  4. Bill Trussell
    Thanks
    So much more can be achieved when we can work together for our common interests.

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  5. Great story and wonderful to see that there are still organizations out there willing to try and preserve wild trout!! Thanks for sharing Alan!

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete they are doing fine work in their protection of brook trout habitat.

      Delete
  6. Very nice report, Alan. Another gem close to my home. Thanks for the detailed information.

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    1. Gin Clear
      Thanks
      It's in your neck of the woods. It should make you feel very proud.

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  7. Assuming this is the Brues Wood section?

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    Replies
    1. Martin Rooney
      Thanks
      Martin it was in Memorial Forest.

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  8. Glad you had the opportunity Allan. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      Ralph I love when someone invites me to such wonderful places as this. I really enjoyed myself.

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  9. Brilliant stuff Alan glad you managed to get there and enjoy yourself. Picctures as always make me so jealous...lol
    best regards
    George

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    1. George
      Thanks
      I have put that visit on my list a long time ago. My next visit probably won't be a good deal sooner.

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  10. Digory
    Thanks
    I will do what I can from SSR's as well as it's Facebook page to spotlight Eversource's plan to degrade this very beautiful and unique area. I was so impressed with the brook trout that have managed to survive here and the work of all who now continue to fight for their preservation.

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