Brook Trout dedication thread

**robdog** · 05-21-2009, 11:46 PM

I know some people look down on this species. Some have even called Brookies the catfish of the Trout species. However, I love trying to catch them. Every time I hook into one, I have a good fight. Sorta like a Smallmouth Bass. Now, I want to dedicate this thread on the topic...Brook Trout. First of all, the myth that this breed lives at lakes and streams above 4000 feet here in Cali. I can't seem to find them, unless I am about 6000 feet. Another cool thing I just learned about brookies. 9 US states have selected the Brook Trout as the state fish. Let's discuss more please about this awesome speciem

**jbird** · 05-22-2009, 06:50 AM

I dont know anyone who looks down on them. They are pretty well addored here in OR. They are excellent fighters, take a fly readily, great eating, beautiful and abundabt in remote lakes and streams. They are actually not trout, they are char. Same family as mackinaw, dolly varden and arctic char.
I love 'em!

**Hairstacker** · 05-22-2009, 07:04 AM

I don't look down on 'em either. Along with the brown, they are the trout of the classic fly fishing literature of New England.

**Phil Synhorst** · 05-22-2009, 08:44 AM

The catfish of trout....them's fightin words.

Brookies are my all around favorite "Trout" to go after. My two most memorable fishing trips were catching them, and one of my favorite places in the Sierras is populated with nothing but them. I went so far as to have the ink work done to honor their place in my fishing life. http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15627

I hope that link works, first time I've tried to do that. I'm pretty sure Ed will chime in on this thread, maybe he'll be kind enough to repost the pic.

Due to time restraints I have to leave it at this for now. But, in the immortal words of the Cyberdyne Systems' model T101..."I'll be back".

**Darian** · 05-22-2009, 08:49 AM

I think the reason that Brookies are not held in high esteem by some is that there're so many of 'em and stunted in places where they're overpopulated. But, azs the others have pointed out, their colors are absolutely beautiful at spawning time. they can grow quite large and will readily bite flies.

In the northeast of US and Canada, Brookies can be anadromous and then are called coasties. Joe Shirshac hosts a trip to Labrador each year for Brookies that grow in excess of 5 pounds and are so darkly colored by the habitat they live in, they're almost black. What a fish....

**Bill Kiene semi-retired** · 05-22-2009, 08:51 AM

Many think of high elevation small streams with clean cold water when dreaming about the tiny precious Brook trout.

In lakes though they can get over 20 inches like in Kirman Lake, CA or Hosmer Lake in OR.

I did get to finally go to Labrador last July for the giant Brook trout at Cooper's Minipi Camps. They average over 4 pounds there and are caught up to 7 pounds weekly on dries?

http://www.anglingonthefly.com/CoopersMinipiCamps.html

**robdog** · 05-22-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Phil Synhorst

The catfish of trout....them's fightin words.

Brookies are my all around favorite "Trout" to go after. My two most memorable fishing trips were catching them, and one of my favorite places in the Sierras is populated with nothing but them. I went so far as to have the ink work done to honor their place in my fishing life. http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15627

I hope that link works, first time I've tried to do that. I'm pretty sure Ed will chime in on this thread, maybe he'll be kind enough to repost the pic.

Due to time restraints I have to leave it at this for now. But, in the immortal words of the Cyberdyne Systems' model T101..."I'll be back".

Nice Tat

**Jeff C.** · 05-22-2009, 11:11 AM

I love brookies! I spent every weekend for 5 summers camping in an alpine valley fishing in the morning, snowboarding mid-day and fishing the evening bite. They will take dries with gusto and are tasty to eat.

**Don Powell** · 05-22-2009, 07:15 PM

They live in very ugly places...
They won't take a fly...
They never reach a respectable size...

I grew up catchin' em in the mountains of WV where I caught my first fish on the fly because of them 30 years ago. They are native to the Appalachians and were transplanted to the high Sierra years ago. I have caught my share of them in high mountain lakes but they are stunted due to their hardiness and reproductive capacities in harsh conditions.

Until I listened to Joe Shirshac and fished for them in Labrador, I never knew the true magic of brook trout...please see pix.