Long after the hottest action fizzles out on many of the most popular approved trout waters, the party is just getting started elsewhere.
Tucked away in pristine valleys and remote mountain draws, thousands of primary and secondary streams flow downward toward larger, more popular bodies of water. Many of these small, secluded brooks and runs are spring-fed, well-shaded and therefore maintain exceptionally cool temperatures throughout summer’s duration.
These waters also harbor an abundance of insect life, making them prime destinations for locating our prized state fish — the native brook trout. Though incomparable in size to nursery-raised trout, native brookies make up for their small stature with unrivaled beauty and charm.
Bedazzled with gold-speckled flanks and ruby-red dots haloed by iridescent shades of blue, they are undoubtedly the most spectacular looking fish in all the state’s waterways. They also feed aggressively when presented with a desirable, opportunistic meal, making them a lot of fun to cast to with a fly rod.
Natives spook easily, and because of their size, they do not give anglers a huge fight. They are, however, an ideal species for trout bums to target during slow summer months, granting them an excellent chance to land an elegant fish in an unspoiled setting.
Whether venturing hours north to “God’s Country” or traveling just a few miles up the road, one will find many small crystal-clear runs trickling off the beaten path are home to a large number of naturally reproducing brook trout. Most of these natives range in size from 3-8 inches in length, with rare specimens measuring out a bit larger.
Wild brookies tend to prefer the little pools and pocket waters formed just downstream from rocky drop-offs and spillways. Perhaps the rapid water formed when streams redirect themselves around such structures better oxygenates the water, or it is simply a good location for them to pick up passing food sources.
Regardless, many natives will hold in these areas, and they can be targeted rather easily.
When using a fly rod, a longer leader is preferred, although it makes the task of casting through overhead vegetation more tedious. A leader that matches or exceeds the total rod length by a few feet will help reduce the number of fish spooked by a gaudy fly line.
Leaders should be tapered down to a size 6x tippet or finer and approach casting locations with stealth. All too often, anglers will see dark shadows darting beneath the rocks before they even get a chance to cast into a productive-looking pool.
To remedy this, try to keep a low profile, wear muted colors and approach from a downstream location. Most fish in the creek will be facing upstream, since this is typically the direction from which food comes floating by them.
Roll cast a dry fly toward the swift water at the head of the pool, allow the fly to drift back toward the strike zone and set the hook lightly as soon as a rapid splash indicates a hit. If possible, try to match whatever insect life is on the water at the time, but a perfect match is usually not necessary.
For example, during a mild spinner fall of yellow sulfurs, a cream-colored Light Cahill fly can be effective. Although the color is not spot on, the size and profile of the fly is close enough to fit the bill.
Anglers can be successful using general imitator flies that “match nothing, yet look like everything,” such as the Royal Wulff and Yellow Stimulator pattern, which are great multi-purpose flies that have proven themselves very effective on mountain streams. Not to be overlooked is the prowess of a black ant, as it can often catch more summertime trout than any other “bug” in the fly box.
For those looking for some fine summer trout fishing, grab a fly rod and head to the small streams. Hike in, bike in or simply follow a run upstream from the point at which it flows into a more notable body of water.
Better fishing awaits for these gorgeous native inhabitants the further one gets away from big creeks and the colder the water is sweeping through an old pair of tennis shoes in the majestic mountain streams that reign supreme in our state’s most remote runs and riffles.