Tuesday, April 18, 2017

The Fish I Care About the Most

I love all species of fish. Literally all of them. Even lampreys. But if I were forced at gun point to pick a favorite without saying more than one species, because that really is what it would take, I would say brook trout. I mean I've got a thing for stripers now and there's nothing like carp. See what I mean? I can't do it.

But without question the fish I care most about are wild native brook trout. I cringe at seeing a photo of a dead wild brookie within it's native range. The fact that I love these fish and the places they live with all my heart made the last two years of drought a living hell. I watched streams literally disapear into the ground. How could fish survive these conditions? My worst fear is that I won't be able to show my own grandchildren the streams I grew up on and the fish that live there.

There were a few streams in particular that I live very close to that I feared the worst of last fall. Would I come back and find fish? Yesterday I got my answer. And I can tell you, for a couple hours I felt like a new angler fishing these streams for the first time. I fished only dry flies, jumped and caught bugs, and was in awe of nature. The hendricksons were out in force, as were caddis and stones. These are the first days when fish need not look anywhere but up to find food.













4 comments:

  1. Yep, Spring is here and so glad you had a great day with your old friends. The water looks good and we all hope it can hold up. Those little favorites look great.
    Tie, fish, write and photo on...

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    1. Thanks, It is enough water for sure but actually already a bit below normal. Rain is on the way again though.

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  2. So glad your Mom got to enjoy that with you. Wouldn't she let you take a picture?

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    1. I think you're of by a post or two, I was one my own for this one.

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