Red Brook...Spring 2018

Jeanette and I just spent a couple of days roaming one of our most favorite places. One must keep in mind that such a place has more to offer than can be told in this post. The first morning when our eyes gazed the old cottage by the bay our minds felt a feeling that we never tire of. The walk down the path that is covered with pine needles thus making sure our feet are comforted and this early preparation setting us up for what would be a walk of life.

Looking across the marsh and seeing the brook quietly flowing. Stopping for a spell and listening to the red-winged black birds distinct call. The air was cool and even with a shirt on I could feel a chill.

The area has so much to offer. We observed so much of what nature brings forth at this time of year. Beauty that may be unique to Red Brook. There's so much more than fishing....

Where I first stepped into the chilly waters of Red Brook. The flow was quiet but swift. There are few casts made here but more of a slight toss and then "let it drift"...a fish may strike at almost any point, but most take when a fast retrieve is made.

A wild brook trout. They are beautiful beyond words. One might say they are just like the brookies we fish for but the are a special creature and one that is unique to this stream. I had an encounter with Steve Hurley a biologist for Mass. Fish and Wildlife. He told me that they surveyed Red Brook on Monday and Tuesday and they found brook trout throughout the Red Brook. He also told me that a great deal of young of the year fish were observed and that holds well for the future of these special char.

You may recall a post I did on two special kids from Falmouth. They had a outing at Red Brook that will remain with them for life..."Red Brook has that effect on those that spend tine there"... Well Sophie tied a fly for me exactly like the one she tied for her brother Nate. He then proceeded to use that fly to catch his first Red Brook "salter"..Well Sophie I used you fly and I will report that I hooked two brookies on it...thank you.

Sophie's "Pink Shrimp"...a fly that perhaps will go down as a "go to fly for salters"...

A tight place to navigate but.....

the work is well worth it. I can't say it enough how great is the feeling to catch of of these brook trout. They are fish that have a tenacity that no other char has. They have lots of help in their quest to keep their numbers strong, the Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition, Trout Unlimited, Mass Fish and Wildlife, The Trustees of Reservations and I'm sure there are a few more that I'm not aware of....thanks to all.

To be able to fish for a iconic New England native in pristine waters is an experience that I find hard to duplicate. As we walked down the path to the bridge that leads to the parking area a sadness takes hold for a moment. We will come back to Red Brook again for there is no feeling like being near its waters.