The stream, a familiar stream, one that I have fished for 20 years. I know most every nook and run within it's banks. I have seen many changes here over the years most of those are natural and some well you kind of know what those might be. The stream has a good population of wild trout with the browns dominating the brookies by a 100 to 1. Over the years that has been a constant, that is until last year and the first part of this year. In that time I have noticed a bigger presence of brook trout within it's waters. Some of these fish are of decent size, that being in the 6 inch range. What I find strange is that I've been told that where the brown and brook live together the brown will usually erase the brook, or push it further upstream to lees suitable habitat. But here it seems to be the opposite. The brook trout are moving right into the prime brown trout water.....
The other day I fished some of those Irish flies I've become obsessed with over the last few months. They are fun to tie and the trout seem to like them. As the weather warms and there is greater surface activity I know I'm going to have a blast with these flies.
Irish fly...this is a size 8, but I tied up a few in size 10 and 12 last night and have not given them a try...
This beautiful wild brook trout was caught yesterday in the stream I just talked about. The photo does not to it justice. This is a strong healthy male, who seems to think it's October instead of April. I hope I encounter him again this fall.
I'm glad I don't have to climb up it.
I've noticed a seesaw battle up over the past few years between the Brookies and the Salmon. In the streams where the Salmon ruled, Brookies are now pushing back. It's the ebb and flow of Brook Trout Forest.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike I remember many years ago talking to an angler. We were fishing the pool on the opposite end of the Oquossoc Angling club. And he told me that the salmon ruined the brook trout fishing in the Rangeley lakes. He said the brook trout could not compete with the salmon. Perhaps they're now getting payback.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice looking stream.....
Good to hear the natives are pushing back against the brownies there.
Not long now until I will back on the rivers myself, meanwhile your posts fill the gap
Anonymous
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It's welcomed by many that the borroike is fighting back for some better territory. By mid April things here should be humming....
Hey Alan, that looks very much like a Green Peter, just minus the wing...
ReplyDeleteGrannom
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Green Peter, now I have to research that fly. I love it.
Very interesting how the brookies are gaining ground on the brown trout in that stream. Any theories, Alan, as to why that is happening? Sure looks like a beautiful stream.
ReplyDeleteSam
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I could not offer a guess at this time. The stream has not changed physically. Perhaps the water composition is better suited now for brook trout. I just hope the trend continues.
Thanks for this and so many other vivid reports, Alan. Piggy-backing on what Sam wrote above, maybe the stream became more acidic. Brookies can thrive in more acidic water than browns or rainbows, tight? Cheers, to all!
ReplyDeleteJohn Strucker
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John I agree with the possibility of a change in water composition. The area where it's most noticeable is where there is a small tributary flowing in. The tributary originates in a swamp which may be contributing to a change in water composition.
Interesting reversal. I've heard the same. Browns push every other fish out. Just seems the way it's supposed to work. I guess time will tell.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark browns are real bullies and most times get their way. I hope the brookies can stand up to them.
I'm guessing that stream holds a larger brown or two, so why the would the brookies are gaining in numbers? Mother Nature works in strange ways now and then.
ReplyDeleteBill Shuck
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Bill I'm sure a year or two will tell me if this is a trend that will hold. The browns in that stream would eat the smaller brookies but that hasn't been happening.
Thanks, I think this is a very good fly for trout and perhaps for grayling. I´ll try to tie some like the pattern for Green Peter (except for the wing). Though there is at least a month more to wait before to wet a fly in our waters.
ReplyDeleteUnknown
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The fly has those little trout catching attributes and should do well. The Green Peter seems to be a dry fly with a caddis influence. Your time on the water is just around the corner.
Such beautiful photos of beautiful char.
ReplyDeleteThe fly is amazing and inspiring. I am going to have to start with a size one though, haha.
Do you think the increased water flow the past year has to do with the increased brook trout numbers? There;'s a PhD thesis there somewhere.
ReplyDeletegios
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That little guy had some striking colors for this time of year. Size one just may be an awesome bass fly.
Not so much the flow of water but the composition. To someone in college your right on the thesis.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThis post and the replies there in are fantastic as always! The great battle between the Browns and the Brooks (the Hatfields and Mccoys) is interesting. You've always said that the Brookies are survivors and I suspect that they will prevail in the long run over the Browns! Just a thought from a Bluegill chaser from Ohio!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug the brown usually wins out in the space provided in a small stream. The brookie learned to survive by occupying the space where it's pushed into. They have been surviving for thousands of years and the brown will not end their ability to keep on...only man can do that.
Bluegills will be going hot and heavy in short time.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe notion that browns dominate all other trout is a excuse the Game and Fish in Alabama have used for years to justify not stocking browns in the Sipsey. Let's hope they change their minds in the near future. I hope to give your flies a try before this month is out on the Sip. I would fish this stream often during the upcoming season!!! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill in waters such as yours, where there is no native trout a brown trout would be a great addition. They can adapt and they can reach some impressive sizes. I hope the flies work well for you.
One of my favourite Irish flies is the Claret Dabbler, mostly because I caught my first river trout on it many decades ago. Works well in still waters too.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Steve.
Steve
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Steve I think Davie McPhail has a video on that fly. I'll have to check it out. These flies are versatile and trout seem to like them.