Introduction: There are bigger trout, and there certainly are harder
fighting fish but there are few that are as beautiful as the elusive Brook
Trout. Also known as the speckled trout Brookies inhabit some of the smallest
cold water streams, mountain lakes, and spring ponds in North America. We get
away from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Yosemite high country
and Eastern Sierras to pursue this gorgeous fish.
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With the fall foliage transitioning and the cooler
temperatures incoming we decided to take a break from our usual bass fishing
routine and head to the Yosemite high country. This would be one of our last
chances this season to cross over to the Eastern Sierras as snowfall starts
early at the high elevation and road closures make it impossible to reach prime
fishing areas.
With the water cooling down we head to the
Yosemite high country and the Eastern Sierras to search for Brook Trout
Over the last year we have had
little rain, and the snow levels have also been minimal, resulting in slow river
flows and many creeks completely drying up. In years past there were times when
we could catch over a hundred trout a day, and while most were Rainbows and
Browns we did find a few honey holes full of Brookies that we had marked on GPS.
Those glory days seem to have passed and on this trip we found ourselves hiking
further away from marked roads to get into truly exceptional fishing.
The further you get away from
civilization the higher the catch rates. Fish near marked roads are noticeably
more wary
I've always had a fondness for
Brookies, and while they are usually the smallest trout we catch they are
arguably the most beautiful. (Salvelinus Fontinalis) Brooks are easily
distinguished by their red spots with blue aureoles on their sides, a wavy
pattern on their back, and pink or reddish lower fins edged with a striking
white leading edge. Before the Brown Trout was introduced into California the
Brook Trout was the primary fly-fishing quarry in the High Country.
Zander picks from different lures
to target fish in just inches of water
This U.S. native spawns late in
the year from September to December. Brook trout demand very specific water
conditions and prefer very cold spring fed water and we often catch the majority
of these fish in just a few inches of water. While most of the Brooks we
typically hook in Yosemite are in the 7-10 inch range it is possible to catch
larger fish. Because the lethal limit of Brook Trout is a mere 77 degrees they
are really only abundant in high elevations, and their cold water habitat cannot
exceed 68 degrees for any extended period.
My top choice for targeting Brook
Trout on conventional spinning gear... spinners
In bigger bodies of water these
fish can grow over two feet in length, and while the average fish is under a
pound the record is a whopping 14lbs. 8oz. caught nearly a century ago on the
Nipigon River in Ontario. In Yosemite and the Eastern Sierras we have observed
dwindling numbers in our catches is partly due to loss of habitat to other more
dominant species like Brown Trout, a species not native to North America. Brook
Trout can also hybridize with other species, but here in the high country we
most often observe Rainbow hybrids. We find the majority of Brookies in the
clearest coldest streams, some of which have even partially iced over, as
it often drops below freezing at these higher elevations during the fall.
JIP sneaks up to a small creek and
casts beyond the riffle
Brook Trout across the country
survive off a diverse range of prey including insects, smaller fish, tiny
amphibians, and crustaceans. In California most of the Brook Trout in both the
streams and lakes feed off insects, making them a good fish to target with
flies. Fly fishing for these small fish is fun, but the small pools that we
often find these fish in can sometimes make it difficult for proper casts and
quality presentations. For this reason my preferred setup for targeting these
fish is an ultralight spinning outfit.
JIP stays on the edge of a deep
pool and casts towards the cascade to draw strikes from fish waiting to ambush
insects that come over the rocks
A two or three piece ultralight
rod makes it easier to pack for an extended hike, and you want to make sure you
can be as mobile as possible to get through low hanging trees and around rocky
surfaces. A 1000 size reel has more than enough line capacity, and you don't
need a robust drag as you will want to set the drag relatively loose to protect
light line. I prefer 2lb line for most situations as this allows me to cast
lighter lures accurately over longer distances, even in windy conditions. Since
the fish are found in ultra clear water I also prefer to use fluorocarbon based
lines. There have been many times when I started fishing with 4lb line and had
to switch to 2lb mid-trip because the fish were so line shy, and an extra spool
is always a good idea.
Dress in colors that match the
surroundings to camouflage yourself, do not make sudden movements when
approaching target areas
On this trip we started at
Tuolumne Meadows and hiked to the surrounding streams that intersect into the
Tuolumne river. In years past we would get into Brown Trout right off the main
road, and would start hooking Brookies just half mile in from civilization. This
simply wasn't the case this time as we had to return to the car and prep enough
gear to pack in for a few miles before we even observed a single Brookie, let
alone land one.
A young Brookie already exhibits
brilliant colors
Part of what makes fishing for
Brookies so enjoyable is the incredible scenery you are likely to find yourself
in. Unlike the man made reservoirs that rainbows are often stocked in these fish
inhabit wild and often untamed wilderness. It is easy to be distracted by the
sheer beauty of the surroundings as you target these fish in high elevation
mountain streams or secluded alpine lakes.
When fishing deep pools Kastmaster
and tubes are effective
