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Brook Trout

Introduction

The brook trout, (Salvelinus fontinalis), is a member of the char group (classified as a salmonid) and is not actually a trout. Native to northeastern North America, the brook trout is one of the most popular game fish of the char group. Like the lake trout, the brook trout's natural range is throughout the northern part of the continent, but has been stocked in the cool waters from the United States to South America and Europe.

In the New England region, the brook trout population is quickly diminishing as the supporting habitat shrinks. Clear, cold waters of 55ºF-60ºF are becoming mere memories, increasingly replaced by warmer polluted waters. Maine remains one of the last good fishing areas in the United States, along with select waters in Idaho and Montana, though few brook trout caught weigh over five pounds. Fish tend to increase in size the further north one fishes; the largest brookies are taken from Canada's northern lakes in the Hudson Bay and Labrador vicinity.

Behaviour

Brook trout spawn from September to December in southern waters. Large numbers of fish gather in the mouths of cool streams. At this time, brookies are easy to catch as they lose their usual wary behaviour. During spawning, a few bright-red males may be caught, but any dismally coloured females must be gently released to ensure a future population, and a future fishing sport, exist. Hundreds to thousands of eggs are laid in a shallow depository, called a redd, constructed in the bottom gravel. 35-135 days later, depending on the water temperature, the eggs begin to hatch over a period of weeks.

Though at times extremely wary, brook trout will strike various well-presented lures or baits, if not alerted to the presence of an angler. Reduced habitats and enthusiastic anglers have depleted the waters of the short-lived brook trout (whose average life span is four years). Newly developed strains of brook trout with 10-year life spans have been introduced into inland hatcheries. Biologists are anxious to see how these strains adapt to living in 'natural' conditions in the wild.

Fishing Techniques

Fishing the river pockets and deep pools behind boulders in northern Canada, use fairly large three or four inch red and white, silver, or gold spoon lures. Cast the spoons using medium-weight spinning equipment with eight-pound test line. Other lures attractive to finicky brookies are red and white buck tail flies cast with ultra-light gear and a fly rod.

After the lure is cast, let it submerge beneath the surface, then slowly retrieve. Anglers have little trouble determining when a brookie is on the line; hooked brook trout are bold strikers though they tire easily after being pulled to the surface.

Fishing the small streams of the United States where brookies are found is a challenge. Usually, a large population of brook trout will live near urban areas surrounded by a dense wall of willows or alders. The growth along the small streams limits casting room, and renders some areas nearly inaccessible. Once an angler reaches the stream itself, a gently-presented bait on a No. 8 or 10 hook is a well-liked offering.

Use a fly rod and a four-foot long four-pound test leader, and carefully present the bait - grasshoppers, crickets, small dead minnows, worms, night crawlers, and caddis worms (from stream bottoms) are all viable choices. Still, the presentation of the bait is more important than the bait selected. Brook trout scatter easily, and at times, may demonstrate fussy eating habits.

A well-known ingenious method of presenting bait as naturally as possible is to float the bait on a piece of wood waiting until the wood drifts near the fish. Quietly pull the bait into the water over the desired location, and let it sink to the bottom.

In less brushy areas where a break in the surrounding growth permits space for a short cast, a spinning rod and ultra-light spinning equipment works nicely to flip the bait under overhanging brush. Again, anglers are reminded to quietly approach the stream, to avoiding spooking the fish.

Another approach to over-grown-stream fishing is to walk upstream through the middle of the water. Carefully select a small pool, kneel, and gently flip the bait to the far end of the pool with ultra-light spinning gear. Aim for a rock, log or other protruding object, and then gently pull the bait from the structure into the water. The brookies usually face upstream, and search for insects that fall into the pools.

In larger streams, brook trout avoid the deeper waters where they make easy prey for larger brown or cutthroat trout. Brookies prefer the shallower riffles, shore runs, and the shade offered by undercut banks.

In small beaver ponds and lakes, nervous brook trout are wary of large lures. Long, light fly rods or ultra-light spinning equipment with small spinners, spoons, flies, or bait is crucial. After a rain, lures work well to attract the trout in the temporarily discoloured waters. When casting, use the smallest lures possible. Where cool streams meet the ocean, silvery brook trout known as "salters" reside. These larger fish are relatively unknown to many anglers, though they offer great sport.

Fishing for brook trout in Canada is a gratifying experience. The fish feed in pristine waters, largely untouched by developed urban areas. The tasty pink flesh of the northern brook trout attests to its popularity. In some areas, the Canadian government, in an effort to conserve the remaining population, restricts the bag limit on brookies to one fish per day.

In the United States, the native brook trout populations exist in small, underfished streams and isolated rural areas. In other popular fishing areas, brook trout are stocked and quickly captured. A few anglers prefer to stalk the fish only a few times each season, valuing the challenging hunt and unrivaled table fare presented by the modestly sized fish.

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