Thursday, July 30, 2015

Puddles Full of Brook Trout


Today I biked the long trail in to some streams I haven't fished in a long time. I was expecting them to be low, but as both are fed mostly by the cold water of springs I wasn't worried about stressing fish.

The first stream is always quite small. It was in much the same condition as the first time I fished it, with the stretches of trickling water then deep pools with one, two, three, maybe even as many as five brook trout in them. The fish were hiding under rocks or branches, and when the PT Parachute hit the surface they came out to inspect it, and usually ended up at hand.



You just know there's a fish in this pool.



By far the prettiest out of this stream today.


On the way back down I took a snake break. I carefully examined an outcropping hoping to spot a sunning timber rattler. They only scaly slitherer I found was a garter snake.

Then I found a tributary and, to my surprise, it was also still holding some fish.




Stream number three, though usually bigger than the first, was now no more than a series of pools. Most of the running water was underneath the rocks. I talked to the land owner before I started fishing and he was adamant that I wouldn't catch anything. Yet it's fish are still hanging on. The pool in the above picture had five in it, none of which I caught.

This man made pond provided some delightful fishing. A skated stimulator brought crazy takes. I let most of the fish throw the hook once I got them to the edge, but some of the smaller ones ended up coming out. I tried my best not to get them or myself buried in the mud and fortunately all made it back safely.


Then I went upstream to a pool that is deep and big enough to always produce, and that it did. I caught five out of it, and one was a very nice female.




It is always amazing to hold a brook trout. It is far more amazing to see the conditions that the survive in. These fish weren't just surviving either, but thriving. I saw hundreds of fish today, everything from juveniles to ten inchers. I know there are some 12-14 inchers in the third stream, but they probably spooked before I was even close enough to see the water they were in.

9 comments:

  1. This post is truly remarkable. I always knew brook trout could survive low water, but I didn't realize they could handle water this low! You described those streams quite well as puddles because they are little more than that. I can't believe there were some surviving in that little muddy, stagnant pond. They truly are amazing creatures. Those last couple were pretty good size to come out of such low water...nice going! We need rain badly.

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    1. Thank you.
      Even if that pond was deep enough you still couldn't swim in it because the water temp was about 50 degrees. Chilly!

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  2. Those are some pretty fish from small waters. I am impressed that you folks back there have as much small stream fishing as you have. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

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    1. Thank you.
      We are very fortunate, but will not be if this dry weather keeps up.

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  3. Nice little beauties! The water is low, but they manage to survive. Nice trip, thanks.
    Tie, fish, write and photo on...

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  4. We need rain. Thankfully the streams have been cool.
    Nice collection of brook trout.

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    Replies
    1. Some heavenly water would be great right now.

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    2. I have been fishing in Mass. and they must be getting every t-storm that come through.
      Streams are pretty full up there.

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