Brook Trout…

And people think that the leaves are pretty in autumn!

Maybe it is good that the fall colors of brookies are our little secret, otherwise every blue line and back trail would be littered with trout peepers. As it is, the deeper you get into the woods the more brilliant your surroundings and your fish become.

There are so many things to say about my favorite fish. But since it is Friday, and since I’ve said so much already, I figured I’d share a few brook trout focused pieces from the Casting Across archives. Click on the picture or the title to read something about these amazing little char.

Brook Trout: The Real Substance of Appalachia

The mountain range itself runs unbroken from Alabama to Maine; the specifics of the setting change as you traverse the Appalachians. Plants differ wildly from north to south. Birds, insects, and some mammals only exist on one side of the Mason-Dixon Line or the other. If you take the time to notice, the soil smells different. But one natural component of the Appalachian Mountains that is consistent up and down the entire range is the brook trout.

Consulting on Brook Trout and More with Rob Snowhite

After I started Casting Across and began to make my rounds in the fly fishing culture following a five-year hiatus, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many familiar faces. Both in person at events like The Fly Fishing Show and through the internet magic of social media, I was able to reconnect with Rob. We share an appreciation for the craziness of Northern Virginia, an affinity for Sheetz, and a love for fly fishing.

The Historic Range of Adventure

If a stream survives, the trout will survive too. I generally don’t brag about the fish that I catch. If you do that, then you are opening yourself up for critique or ridicule when you don’t catch fish. And trust me, that happens to me from time to time. But this fish, this urban trout is impressive. For this stream, it is a trophy. For any small stream, it is a trophy.