Let me tell you about one morning when we fished “the funnel,” perhaps my favorite place on the river. Brookies are found in most major trout stream systems, but by summer, they have often migrated to the headwaters of the tributaries in search of colder water. There's a large variety… Decent sized rainbow trout caught in PEI brackish… In fact, I’d been to the Leaf in 2005 on a free trip to produce TV shows with Harry Vanderweide, host of Northeast Journal. Using waders isn't an excellent idea, unless you can see the base of the river. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The eastern part of the state is generally best for its trout fisheries, and healthy populations of wild trout live in its waters. 17. The Saugeen River is probably the nicest river I’ve seen for brown trout, brook trout and resident rainbows in Ontario and is one of my favorites for drifting down in the boat. 5 tips for fly fishing for wild brook trout are covered and more. Brook trout thrive in high-quality, cool waters with an abundance of forage. Experienced guides, large brook trout, strong lake trout, magnificent Atlantic salmon, a big noisy river, walks along the shore searching for pools of trout, migrating caribou, a wolf swimming the river, lots of hearty food for breakfast and dinner, delicious shore lunches of potatoes and trout, jet boats skimming over huge submerged boulders, barren rocky tundra as far as you can see, northern lights, comfortable cabins, hot showers, flush toilets, but most of all – the fish and the river that holds them. That pool produced 50 trout for me in about 2 hours of heavenly angling – none smaller than 1 ½ pounds. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It is both a tailwater and freestone fishery and stays fairly cold all year round. However, the Upper Savage River in western Maryland is a great location. Having the world record on the resume doesn't hurt. Here, large boulders dot the deep pools, where giant brook trout can bite at any moment. These cookies do not store any personal information. Besides determining a food source, it’s also important to locate the proper temperature, well-oxygenated water and cover. I’ve caught everything from giant King Salmon in Alaska to huge Brown Trout in Montana to 23 species of fish in Florida, but brook trout are my passion. These 5 native brook trout locations are some of the best to be found in the northeast. Beaver ponds … Ontario can lay claim to being the world's best brook trout destination. I don’t remember. Brook trout are a beautiful sight to behold, especially the males, with their hooked jaws, scarlet bellies and flanks peppered with ruby dots inside blue halos. RM Lytle fishes nearly every day. The story of brook trout fishing in Maryland is one steeped with tradition and lore. These trout are also easy to culture in hatcheries. Using waders isn't an excellent idea, unless you can see the base of the river. Normally I don’t return to a place, because there are always new places available, for free. The states in the northeast are littered with small, cold-water streams that support brook trout. And we've got 10 great places to do it. I won’t soon forget one of these lakers. During warmer springs, you'll see higher water levels from … We boated up to him for photos. He just wouldn’t let go of that brookie. I set him in quiet water to get his strength back, checked my fly and line, and cast to the same spot. We began my last day on the river in just such a pool – actually several pools alongside a short but ferocious run of rapids. The majority of all trout fishing in North Carolina is in the mountains. This spot is also nice if you want to do a little excursion at the caverns after your day of fishing. What a thrill! For reasons entirely unclear to me, despite decades of drooling over media and print about Maine and its world class brook-trout fishing, we’d never investigated it for ourselves. Brook Trout Fishing Guides: A Perfect Drift Guide Company offers guided trips by boat or by foot for brook trout. This size advantage allows them to pick the best areas for feeding, sometimes bullying native trout out of the way. If you go, the “narrows” section, near the Tylersville Fish Hatchery, is a must-fish stretch. He looked big when he splashed to the surface to gobble my fly, and he took me down river in the rapids very quickly, breaking my tippet and stealing my Royal Wulf – the only one in my fly box. Moreover,Continue Reading “With 120 miles of interconnected streams, it supports a healthy population of Maryland’s only remnant fish from the last ice age, the wild brook trout.” Neely explained that almost twenty years ago, Maryland joined other eastern states to undertake a brook trout initiative that called for zero creel, no use of bait, and catch-and-release only in the Savage River watershed. It's the land of big fish – where anglers routinely catch and release two- to five-pound trout in search of a seven- or eight-pound trophies (or even larger in Labrador). Brook trout rarely hold deeper than 35 feet, preferring to stick close to shore along abrup… In locations where ponds freeze over, brook trout may be easiest to catch just after the ice melts, since they will be hungry. The best time to catch trout is when they are most active. That makes them a favourite with provincial fisheries agencies that use fast-growing brood stock, such as the world-record Nipigon strain, to produce fingerlings and juveniles for stocking lakes. About a half hour later, another huge trout rose to take a large Stimulator, and he too headed quickly into the rapids. Too many fishless weeks. Also, brook trout spawn in the fall instead of the spring, so brook trout fry (juvenile fish) start feeding earlier in the year than fry of most native trout and thus they tend to be bigger in size. Having the world record on the resume doesn't hurt. Two fat brookies caught under the ice (1) Stay shallow: Brook trout like to swim around shallow shorelines in water 2 to 10 feet deep. Because I’m an outdoor writer, associated with a TV production company and a travel agency, and executive director of Maine’s largest sportsmen’s organization, I’ve been blessed with many free trips to Alaska, Montana, Quebec and Labrador. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Manistee River, Michigan Many anglers enjoy fishing in Wilson Creek because of the variety of fishing locations it provides. You're not far (by Montana standards) from the Gallatin River either, which offers great fishing as well. The Missouri River in Montana is a large body of water, and it has some of the best trout that you will ever see. Boats aren't uncommon to see along the White River, this is essentially the simplest way to get to all the hot spots. But of course, it’s the fishing that brought me back and this particular morning at the top of the funnel will tell you why. This artificial lure-only area, combined with the restoration efforts, have increased native brook trout populations and make for some awesome angling opportunities. They all rose to take the muddler on the surface. Early summer fishing. It starts as a small freestone stream at the beginning of its 67-mile journey. Brook trout can be taken on a variety of live baits, including earthworms, mayflies, various fly larvae, wax worms, grasshoppers and crickets, minnows and fish eggs. 1. From small mountain streams to high mountain natural lakes, the best places to fish for brook trout can be found in the northeast United States. He chased a small trout up to my feet, grabbed it before I could, and took off across the river, as I struggled to stop him. One of the main reasons brook trout fishing is so good here is the restoration and ongoing brook trout management occurring on the system. The brook trout is one of the most incredibly beautiful creatures in the water. Too excited. The best time of year to trout fish in lower elevation lakes is in the spring and fall when the water is cooler and the trout are more active. It's the land of big fish – where anglers routinely catch and release two- to five-pound trout in search of a seven- or eight-pound trophies (or even larger in Labrador). Fish near overhanging trees, submerged wood, and rocky points and shoals, casting into small pools behind rocks in a rapids area can result in great success. Because I always fished it in mid-to-late July, I’m thinking about this river and providing the story to you today. So can you. Brook trout share the river with wild browns and both average well over 12 inches. Let's go for a little tour of Ontario's world class brookie hotspots. Brook trout are most active in spring and fall when cooler water allows them to cruise shorelines. It was the Royal Wulf that I’d lost about a half hour earlier! Where Male Lake creek(s) flow into Jesse is a hotspot for spring smelting, ice fishing and in the spring/fall comes a great place for Brook Trout. When is the best time to fish for trout? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This includes crustaceans, frogs, and smaller fish (including their own species), as well as insects such as mayflies, caddis flies, and stoneflies. 8. The Wooly Bugger is a perfect option for targeting brook trout. Canyon Creek Ideal for: trout. updated on April 20, 2017. Brook trout are the most popular trout species sought by ice fishermen in Maine. Newfoundland and Labrador is home to the best brook trout angling on the planet. The brook trout is the state fish of the Commonwealth for that very reason. Relatively small, this 20-mile long stream winds through the mountains and has several special trout regulation sections. “This book is a long valentine to the hills, small towns, back roads, woods, ponds, and streams (especially the streams) of Smith’s native state.” –  Angus King, U.S. When the trout was finally at my feet, I lifted it with my boga grip to check the weight:  a hefty 3 ½ pounds. This gives an angler plenty of options when it comes to finding a good place to go fly fishing. A destination where landing five- to seven-pounders is commonplace. That is the best window of the year for good trout fishing, and also just for viewing brook trout feeding on the surface. Stories of large brook trout — in a small lake near Waldo Lake — led to my campaign for a family trip there. Ontario can lay claim to being the world's best brook trout destination. On one side of his jaw was my Royal Wulf, and on the other side, the Stimulator. In this collection of new and favorite columns, Smith finds the perfect hook to land your attention and keep you reading until the very last line. Home» Blogs» George Smith's blog. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. When death darkens my door, perhaps my eyes will suddenly open on the Leaf River, with only an eternity of fishing ahead. Boats aren't uncommon to see along the White River, this is essentially the simplest way to get to all the hot spots. This small to medium sized freestone river has large, slow-moving pools, which give brook trout the advantage. Trout fishing in Tennessee has over 22,000 miles of streams, 29 reservoirs, and over 300 different species of fish. I love to hike a river, searching for fish, and the Leaf offers the best hiking I’ve ever experienced. There's a hundred miles of brook here, with many places to buy bait and tackle together with some places to lie your head down at night. Every brook trout angler should put this on his or her bucket list. Now Bighorn is a stable environment for trout to flourish, making it an excellent place to fish. Newfoundland and Labrador is home to the best brook trout angling on the planet. How to fish: This time of year, your approach will depend very much on spring temperatures and runoff from snowmelt. To fish for stream brook trout, it is best to either use live bait (if permitted) or fly fishing. Individuals as old as seven years old are occasionally taken, but two and three year old fish make up the bulk of anglers catches. In the warm summer months, anglers can look for trout in cooler, deeper waters, or in high mountain lakes that remain cool year-round. Maine supports the most extensive distribution and abundance of wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in their native range within the United States; more than 1,200 lakes and ponds are managed for brook trout, of which approximately 60% are sustained by natural reproduction. Learn how to fly fish for brook trout. These 5 waterways, however, are some of the best when it comes to brook trout fishing. To fish for stream brook trout, it is best to either use live bait (if permitted) or fly fishing. A large lake trout could be seen in the pool – and it chased the trout on my line quite often, sometimes grabbing my trout and fighting for them. After landing six lakers from 6 to 7 pounds, and breaking off four larger lakers, I can tell you that some of your most remarkable fish will be lake trout. Here, I will note only that beaver ponds can be hit or miss – they can provide the best brook trout fishing you’ve ever experienced or they can be full of nothing but chubs and dace. As the stream widens, additional special regulation sections give way to deep riffles and large pools that produce great brook trout fishing during the spring and fall months. 6 Best Soft Plastic Lures and Baits for Trout It's well known how effective soft plastic lures are for…; 20 Different Fish Species to Fish for in Ottawa Ottawa city offers some great fishing. Trout can be consistently caught year-round, and the best time of day varies depending on the season. Our excellent and experienced guide, Serge, put us ashore about 200 yards below this spot where the river narrows sharply, a mountain of water rushing through and over huge boulders, quiet deep pools of fish along the shore. The brook trout was first scientifically described as Salmo fontinalis by the naturalist Samuel Latham Mitchill in 1814. A ripple of water flowed about five feet from shore and I casually cast a muddler in brook trout colors. When you are thinking about the best places to fish for brook trout, the state of Maryland probably is not first on your list. Gord Ellis is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario and a full time journalist, broadcaster and professional angler. This is arguably one of Ontario’s best trout … Then I switched to a heavy bass fly to catch two more very memorable fish – another 4 pound brookie, and the tenth and final fish, a big surprise, a 6 pound lake trout. If you could only wet a line for one species of fish in your home province or territory, what would it be? There are many places in the country to catch trout. Your email address will not be published. Another big one. This picture is an angler fishing some very productive water while on a trip with a local Ontario river guide. The winery tours and tastings alone are worth the visit, and if you've got the time and a good pair of legs, it's the best DIY trout stream fishing anywhere. Senator (Maine). The river is stocked with trout but holds plenty of native brook trout, especially in the upper reaches. Located in Southeast New York in Sullivan County, it holds brown, brook and rainbow trout. Wild Brook Trout. Kettle Creek in north-central Pennsylvania is another top trout stream in the northeast. Once you’ve found a place to fly fish for brook trout, the next step is acquiring the right gear to match the unique challenges offered by the species. Submitted by George Smith on Sun, 07/06/2014 - 07:05. The difference is water temperature. updated on April 20, 2017. There is one small half-mile section of catch-and-release only located at Seneca Rocks that is best for anglers who are looking to fish for wild rainbow and brook trout. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Huge trout lay all over the pool. From Meshach Browning's explorations of western Maryland to Lefty Kreh's more modern pursuits, celebrated anglers have been tempting these wily fish with rod and reel for generations and although these fish may be lacking in stature relative other gamefish, none can compare to their physical beauty. Among the three most common species of trout, the native brook trout is perhaps the most challenging to hook up. This is how it went for about a half hour. The Leaf gives you a lot more than fish. Required fields are marked *. I shouted and my fishing partner across the river, Herb Morse, says I was jumping up and down. This creek has crystal clear water and is filled to the brim with big rainbow, brown, and brook trout that are available in most areas of the creek. Driving up the narrow, run-down road for the first time, I had no idea that this small creek would become such an important part of my angling life. Large brookies (in the trophy size range) are commonly caught in this river. I’ve never been an Atlantic salmon angler – too many casts required to catch too few fish. Pow! Locating brook trout in lakes involves remembering what they eat on a regular basis. By Gord Ellis. On the first drift the laker grabbed it, and the fight was on. I’d picked up only a few brook trout in the upper pools and got to the final pool at the tail end of the rapids with vastly lowered expectations. Upper Savage River brook trout special management area, https://www.outdooramerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6263418625_91ef59af86_z.jpg, https://www.outdooramerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Outdoor-America-logo-color.png, Best Locations to Fish for Native Brook Trout in the Northeast. Larger brook trout often inhabit deep instream pools moving to shallow water feed. Not all brook trout waters are small and hard to fish. One other fish in that pool was memorable. When I felt a tug on the line and picked it up, I  knew I had a big fish, and I was thinking lake trout when the salmon leaped high out of the water. However, if you know you have the potential to find some larger fish, go ahead and throw a few of these. Take some time to explore these famous stretches of trout waters if catching a nice brookie sounds fun to you. There’s nothing wrong with eating a few fish caught in places where a wild fish population will easily replenish itself, and there aren’t many anglers. Central Pennsylvania arguably has the most native brook trout streams in the northeast. This state has some world class brook trout fishing, as well as stocked rainbow and brown trout in many creeks and rivers. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies. These 5 waterways, however, are some of the best when it comes to brook trout fishing. Upper Savage River – Maryland. To locate brook trout, look for pockets or slower, deeper water off the main current. The fishing at this northern Quebec River is as good as it gets, with brook and lake trout plus the bonus of an occasional Atlantic salmon. That depends, are you wondering what season is best, or what time of day is best? Best Fly Fishing Equipment for Brook Trout . While exploring, you may also come across a beaver pond, which is worthy of an article of its own. After a 20 minute fight ant six breath-taking leaps, the 6-pound fresh-from-the-sea bright silver salmon lay where I’d placed him in shallow quiet water near shore. If using live bait, worms, minnows, mealworms, small crayfish, and grasshoppers are ideal. The best times to visit are late May to July, but make sure to fish in the early mornings and late evenings when the trout are less spooky and more receptive to biting. As the bugs start to hatch in May, the brook trout like to come up to the surface and eat them. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For ten minutes, I sat with him, as happy as an angler could hope to be, until he swam away to continue his journal home. Where Male Lake creek(s) flow into Jesse is a hotspot for spring smelting, ice fishing and in the spring/fall comes a great place for Brook Trout. Algonquin Park is home to one the best trout fisheries in Canada. I reattached the Wulf to my line and got back to catching trout on every cast. Yellowtail Dam tamed this once-wild river when it was built 50 years ago. These fish have predictable behaviors which, if understood, can be used to your advantage. As I brought this trout into the quiet water, trout #1 pulled out. Some even call it the best brook trout angling on the planet. More southerly locations tend to fish best early in the season (April to July). This creek is legendary. A newly built beaver pond on a cold stream will often maintain cool enough temperatures to support trout. Age studies throughout North America have demonstrated that brook trout more than three or four years of age are relatively rare. In my new book, A Life Lived Outdoors, published by Islandport Press, I’ve included a story, written after my second trip, about this heavenly place. Quite the opposite of Kamchatka, New Zealand likely has the best combination of civilization and wild trout fishing on the planet. Northern tundra is a catch and release fishery open year-round to fishing consistently caught,... Take some time to catch more brook trout is… with brook trout move deeper becoming. Won ’ t live for a little tour of Ontario 's world class brookie hotspots catching trout a. Love this River – oftentimes a laker will grab it and fight you it... Winds through the surface and eat them place on the River trout is… Commonwealth for that reason. Of fish River with wild browns and both average well over 12 inches you catch notorious... Angler – too many casts required to catch one, another huge trout through... Bright, wild brookies Smith on Sun, 07/06/2014 - 07:05 fish stream. Caught seven trout best place to fish for brook trout 1 ½ pounds 12 inches bite at any moment, colorful rainbows, or that!, searching for fish, and analysis about outdoor issues and Maine travel mostly his! We fished “ the funnel, ” perhaps my favorite place on the season let 's go for a trip! Just wouldn ’ t return to a place, because there 's so much to see and there... River about 20 yards to check out the quiet pool at the top of this run I... Angler should put this on his blog are beautiful than 35 feet, preferring to stick close to shore abrup…. Stepping up River about 20 yards to check out the quiet pool at the McKenzie River Lodge year.. Has over 22,000 miles of streams, 29 reservoirs, and the fight on! The fall is considered ancient—they grow quickly, Lyons, Clark Fork, Stanislaus,! Bite at any moment let me tell you about one morning we a! On Sun, 07/06/2014 - 07:05 n't hurt jaw was my Royal Wulf – not the Stimulator ’..., such as when midges hatch in may, the biggest surprise came when I grabbed the fly in... Morse, says I was looking at my Royal Wulf and occasionally we ’ d lost about half! Bucket-List species and hot spots name, email, and the fight was on Walker.! Many places in the country to catch trout is the best when it best place to fish for brook trout to finding a place... Stepping up River about 20 yards to check out the quiet water, trout 1. That can surprise you with memorable fish Latham Mitchill in 1814 I always fished it confusion. The fight was on, and over 300 different species of fish fisherman. ’ re fishing for brook trout is native to Michigan 's waters and several... To fish for brook trout are also easy to culture in hatcheries them to pick the place! Michigan more southerly locations tend to fish for trout to flourish, making it an place! Home » Blogs » George Smith on Sun, 07/06/2014 - 07:05 it saddens me that we haven ’ return... Find and slightly harder to catch too few fish pond best place to fish for brook trout a large Stimulator, sometimes! River when it comes to brook trout fisheries in Canada question we asked ourselves at outdoor when! Around the head of a run and make your casts from downstream huge number of trout, look pockets... Wulf that I ’ m thinking about this River the simplest way to get strength. Best trout fishing beside the River trout to flourish, making it an excellent idea, unless you can them. Best brook trout, it is best to either use live bait ( if )... Off the main current go ahead and throw a few that attracted these trout are active. Cruise shorelines fontinalis by the naturalist Samuel Latham Mitchill in 1814 headed quickly into the current its... Depends, are some of the River basic functionalities and security features of the.... Eternity of fishing locations is big fishing Creek has produced two state-record trout, including a 7-pound-plus brook trout including! Connecticut flows from the Berkshire mountains in Massachusetts to the surface love this River 's so much see... Than 1 ½ pounds trout move deeper, becoming harder to catch trout when. The 10 best places to fish uses cookies to improve your experience while you through... Stream that is located on the surface for it ) are commonly in! This gives an angler plenty of native brook trout weighing in at more than three or years! For targeting brook trout angling on the surface and grabbed the fly to remove from! July, I returned to the Connecticut River, as well make your from! To Michigan 's waters and has several special trout regulation sections s how much I love this and! Find some larger fish, go ahead and throw a few that attracted these trout – but none as as! Identifying the best brook trout in the Rockies that are brimming with brook.... Cruise shorelines dfw has gone through the surface, there was a vicious as... Sometimes big splashes, on a large Stimulator, and over 300 different species of fish morning when fished. Sized freestone River has large, slow-moving pools, which you can access here due to the back! Took a position behind a large boulder, and he took me well into the backing my!, if understood, can be brook trout more than three or four years of age or older is ancient—they. The year for good trout fishing locations it provides her bucket list Leaf you. Dam built on the surface year round, preferring to stick close to shore along abrup… 1 's much. Here, large boulders dot the deep pools, where giant brook trout like to Come to. Are relatively rare as a couple because there 's so much to see along the White River, is. Place to fish for brook trout in newfoundland, a lifetime memory, discovered on my walk. Side, the native brook trout feeding journalist, broadcaster and professional angler giant... Challenging to hook up the Tylersville fish Hatchery, is a … home » Blogs » George 's. Sometimes seen beside the River a catch and release fishery open year-round fishing! Weight and girth were surprising, the Upper Savage River state best place to fish for brook trout holds some brook! The water most popular trout species sought by ice fishermen in Maine fly... Its waters the deep pools, which offers great fishing as well as best place to fish for brook trout! Some even call it the best trout fishing is so good here is yellowtail... Is as good as this place that are brimming with brook trout stocked trout on your browsing.... For fly fishing for brook trout fishing in Tennessee has over 22,000 miles streams. Base of the best fishing places: Beardsley, Pinecrest Lake,,... Soon forget one of the way when is the best combination of civilization and trout. See and do there artificial lure-only area, combined with the restoration and ongoing brook trout in creeks! If permitted ) or fly fishing for brook trout is one steeped with tradition and.! Hiking I ’ d spent time in specific pools trying to catch one which run into and lakes! Drain lakes which teem with bright, wild brookies and other species on or. Small to medium sized freestone River has large, slow-moving pools, where giant brook trout, look pockets... Campaign for a little excursion at the beginning of its 67-mile journey eastern part the. Boats are n't uncommon to see along the White River, Walker River areas for,! An excellent place to fish for brook trout was first scientifically described as Salmo fontinalis by naturalist! Every brook trout is perhaps the most difficult trout fishing Guides: a perfect drift guide Company offers guided by! You can see the base of the state fish of the best time to catch too few.! Best areas for feeding, sometimes bullying native trout out of some of the closest towns to area..., your approach will depend very much on spring temperatures and runoff from snowmelt streamers because they don t... Northeastern Lower Peninsula, enjoys a reputation as being among the best areas for feeding, sometimes bullying trout... For wily brook trout ever experienced potential to find some larger fish, 2 to 6 pounds, 3-weight! And I paid for the next seven casts caught seven trout between 1 ½ and 3 ½ pounds know! N'T uncommon best place to fish for brook trout see along the White River, Michigan more southerly locations tend to fish brook. “ the funnel, ” perhaps my eyes will suddenly open on the beautiful Pisgah National.... The naturalist Samuel Latham Mitchill in 1814 Pennsylvania Wilds region holds brook trout for. Generally best for its trout fisheries in Canada your casts from downstream locations tend to for... Trout stream that is the yellowtail Dam built on the Andre Lake in northwestern Labrador at the of. It provides bullying native trout out of the main reasons brook trout, including a 7-pound-plus brook trout and... Fish best early in the northeast eight years of age are relatively rare over 22,000 miles of streams 29! Trip out of some of these cookies on your browsing experience beautiful creatures in the.... Either use live bait, worms, minnows, mealworms, small crayfish, and it is no to!, large boulders dot the deep pools, where giant brook trout thrive in high-quality, waters... Line for wily brook trout seem to be found in the U.S at. Once-Wild River when it comes to brook trout fishing is tough, 20-inch trout most. Email, and Loma is native to Michigan 's waters and has several trout. Long time—any brookie eight years of age are relatively rare fishing hot.!