Coastal Streams Of Cape Cod

Red Brook is more than a stream to fish, it's a special unique waterway that holds one of New England's most beautiful native brook trout. I have been coming here for a lot of years. My wife and I find this place refreshing in both mind and soul. The 3-4 times a year we visit are truly highlights of our year...many times we've said you don't have to catch a fish here and you'll still be fulfilled.

This year we were given the pleasure to meet a few young men there. Geoff Klane and Justin Fleming. They hold the same feelings for these "salter" brook trout, and it shows. I have been fishing for trout, brook trout when I can. I have fished from Maine to Virginia and in all seasons of the year. I have been as ethical as anybody when it comes to angling. But I must say that this time I seemed to have done something not so good, at least by some people's standards. The impression I got was that I did not belong on the stream. I take this very deeply.

So with that said, this will perhaps be the last time I visit this beautiful area.

Jeanette Petrucci Photo

"Farewell"

Angling History, The Lyman Cottage

The Lyman Cottage

On our recent visit to Red Brook we were invited to take a tour of the Lyman cottage on the grounds of this reserved property. We were hosted by Warren Winders, of Trout Unlimited, Geoff Day, of the Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition, Megan Duffy, and Brittany Morford, I hope I got everyone's name spelled correctly. They were very gracious and informative and I hope to convey their words to you.

The Lyman family bought several acres of land that bordered Red Brook. They were enamored by the sea run brook trout that called this stream home, and in future times were to be a force in getting this wonderful stream and land protected. Hal Lyman knew that doing this would require the help of others and so Warren Winders was there to answer his request. Along with TU, the Mass. Fish and Wildlife, and others the project was started. The result of endless hours of volunteer work on the brook and the land, planting native plants, trees, helping to stabilize the stream banks, and the removal of several dams. They also reached agreements with the major cranberry grower in the area, to purchase land to protect Red Brook all the way to where it starts.

Our tour of the cottage was a walk back in history. Although wealthy, the Lyman's cottage was modest and it was laid out to be a simple retreat from the rigors of everyday life.

The concept of catch and release was not used in the early days of Red Brook. Here on the wall were wood cut-outs of the fish from Red Brook, these were impressive brook trout. Most of these fihs were to be fine table fare in the cottage for supper. I could see the menu....baked sea-run brook trout, fried potatoes, baked beans and bread, wish I were there at the supper table.

The Lyman's kept journals of their catches. Here is a metal tag on one of the wood cut-outs.

Almost unbelievable the size of the sea-run brook trout that swam in the brook.

"Simplicity"......one of the reasons I love this place.

One of the streamer flies that were kept in the plaques. I determine it was either an Edson Tiger Light, or the Dark Version, maybe a "Wardens Worry". The "Muddler Minnow" was also a popular fly.

I would like to thank these wonderful people for taking the time to show Jeanette and I this beautiful piece of angling history. From left to right...Warren Winders, Geoff Day, Megan Duffy, Brittany Morford. Not in the picture but also deserving much credit in the work of this valuable fishery is Steve Hurley, biologist for the Mass. Fish and Wildlife.

Red Brook September 2015

We just got back from a few days of roaming the streams of Cape Cod in search of wild brook trout. These are also known as "salters" they are the sea-run variety who also find the the waters of the salt water bays to their liking. This stream is a favorite of mine, and I have fished it many times over the years. I first fished here at the time when the first dam on Red Brook was dismantled. This was an achievement which was to begin a restoration that would see all of the dams removed and open the brook to prime spawning areas and give these very unique brook trout a home.

The Lyman Reserve, a conserved area where Red Brook flows through is just as beautiful as the brook trout that call its waters home. There are wonderful pine trees which seem to dominate, mixed in are mini-oak with the smallest of acorns. As Jeanette said you could fish here all day and not catch a fish, and still be fulfilled.

Walking these woods trails after a cool night and seeing the dew on the oak leaves is a start to a day that will put most of your cares aside.

Red Brook....places as such will perhaps hold a brook trout, maybe two. It does hold the ability to captivate and to bring your mind into focus as to what Red Brook really means to those who have seen it.

The watercress that moves gently in the current can be a target that you'll never miss. An anglers fly will find these beautiful green blooms on many attempts to gain that right drift. But it's these areas that provide cover for the brook trout.

After turning over a few brook trout I was finally able to hook and bring to hand my first Red Brook trout to hand. The fish was stunning as it's colors showed through the watercress. The sun was in the right spot to enhance my pleasure.

The water was cold and a check of the stream proved just how cold it really was. Fifty four degrees, just as Jeanette said it would be.

Another wonderful pool. Red Brook is filled with such places, one more beautiful than the last.

A wild brook trout, maybe one that has been to the salt, or perhaps this maybe the first time he'll venture out. The trout was into it's fall coloration which are stunning.

This morning we were to meet members of the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife, Trustees of the Reservations, Trout Unlimited, and The Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition, who were about to do a stream survey. A very necessary task to check the health of Red Brook's "salters". The fishing would be not so good after the shocking so we headed for the bay to try our luck there.

Buttermilk Bay, and the mouth of Red Brook. More to come in the next post.

"Red Brook" Spring 2013

Yesterday we took a trip to a special stream in Massachusetts. It's a coastal stream that flows into the salt water on Cape Cod. I have fished this stream for about 5 years now and have been blessed with wonderful outings each time. This stream is a fresh water stream that is about 5 miles long. It has several cold springs along its length making it suitable for wild brook trout. These brook trout are a special group. Some of them will go to sea and spend part of there life there returning back to the fresh cold waters of Red Brook.

To spend time here is a most pleasant and rewarding experience. To see the awesome work that has taken place here over the years. Many groups have been part of this effort to protect this habitat and the "Salters" that call Red Brook home. Mass. Fish and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, Trustees of Reservations, and The Lyman family who donated the land that Red Brook flows through. Hopefully Red Brook will remain safe and protected for generations to come.

Native grasses and trees were planted to protect the stream.

While not your typical freestone mountain stream Red Brook provides many challenges to the fly angler.

A walk along the stream provides the angler with a vast amount of sights, sounds and smells. One such smell is that of salty air mixed with pine. Ospreys can be seen circling over head, and the bird symphony is sweet music.

There is no rush. Take time to enjoy a lunch.

This is danger to most everybody.

While these are brook trout they do not act like other brook trout. They do not take flies that represent insects. They have a profound love of streamers. Red Brook having access to the sea also host a good run of herring. Herring spawn and porvide the brook trout an ample source of herring fry to dine on. Thus the fondness of streamers. This simple marabou streamer was very productive.

Red Brook has a very sandy bottom. You must look for the gravel that has been washed out, along with underwater structure and you'll find brook trout.

As you can see these brookies will take a streamer. Quite a few of these guys were hooked, and a few came to hand.

You can see the reddish tint to the water, giving Red Brook its name. In the water are islands of green vegetation. Work your streamer near and perhaps you'll get lucky. Such was the case yesterday.

A beautiful Red Brook wild brook trout. Perhaps this fish will take to the salt.

Buttermilk Bay, and Cape Cod. May the "Salter" brook trout swim these waters forever.

I have a link posted below for the Searun Brook Trout Coalition. A great organization dedicated to the "Salter" Check them out.

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Sea Run Brook Trout

Over the last three weeks or so a lot of interest has been directed about searun brook trout also known as "salters". I have fished for these special trout in the streams on Cape Cod. There are three streams that I know of that hold these fish and the one that is most talked about is Red Brook, this is perhaps because of the restoration that has gone on in this stream for quite some time. I have seen this effort first hand over the years and it's quite an achievement.

The stream is not your typical brook trout stream. It reminds me of a limestoner. It can be frustrating to fish at times but it also can be so rewarding. Most of the "salters" respond to a streamer more so than typical insect patterns. I have fished these streams in spring, fall, and in winter.

The dams on this stream were used for cranberry production, they have been removed to help the trout move freely between Buttermilk Bay, which is salt waster, and the further upstream sections.

There's a very good chance as your Mickey Finn is stripped in along that wonderful green moss that a salter will hit it.

This beautiful male was taken in tide water in the fall. He took a Edson Tiger bucktail.

The brook trout in this stream have electronic tags and can be monitored. One was located in the Cape Cod Canal.

Another Red Brook jewel. These streams are very special habitats. They should be treated with respect, as should their residents.

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Red Brook

In the winter 2012 issue of Trout Magazine there is an article on a very special stream. This stream is located in Massachusetts at the very start of Cape Cod.
It's the home of the sea run brook trout. These wonderful trout that spend part of their lives in saltwater as well as the cool spring fed water of Red Brook.

Salters have been present in this stream since the Mayflower landed, and were no doubt a food source for the colonists. Over the years, cranberry farming has caused the stream to degrade and almost eliminated the salter. The Lyman family who owned the land surrounding much of Red Brook donated it to the Trustees of the Reservations, along with T.U. and the State of Massachusetts. Since taking over this stream extensive restoration efforts have taken place. The removal of dams, the placing of structure, and the planting of native trees and grasses to stabilize silting.

I have fished this stream for a number of years and have seen these efforts taking place. The brook trout that live in this stream have rebounded and appear to be stable to perhaps growing. The addition of more land, land that was causing sand to filter into Red Brook will be soon stopped.
A big Thank You to all who have given so much to help this salty brook trout continue to be part of our world.

Red Brook, its name comes from the color of its waters. Lower reaches of this stream experience tidal movements. Parts of it move slowly like a spring creek, while others have a faster flow.

It is not an easy stream to fish. I do not wade its waters, but choose to fish from the bank. The brook trout can be found near places of structure and in the shade of the submerged plant life.

A Red Brook brook trout. Taken on a bucktail. The preferred flies for these fish.

Typical flies used for brookies, such as Bombers, Wulffs, Adams, and wets and nymphs, do not seem to work as well as streamers and bucktails. The Edson Tiger is my best producer on this stream.

This is where Red Brook enters the salt. Buttermilk Bay, which flows into Buzzards Bay.

This is the place where this  brook trout was taken. It was early October, the trout struck a Edson ,Tiger.

If you plan to visit this special place, a 7ft 4 or 5wt is a good choice, some size 8 to 10 streamers, and a lot of patience. It's a place you'll always remember.