Natives

[Bruce Litton]

I didn't catch any, but Oliver caught one, and I lost one. Brookies. Used my two-weight TFO and a sinking ant with a little red on it. Size 16 or so. Took me awhile to get into it, because my head was spinning over other stuff, but once the place found me, I knew I was caught. I would go fish those little seven inchers often if I could. Guess it's a good thing for them I'm busy otherwise, but then again, a barbless hook and careful handling and release don't seem to bother them when the water's chilly.

New water for both of us, we pretty much spent our time exploring. If you want to catch a few, get to know a stream. Then you approach spots you know are occupied by crouching, waiting until things settle in, then casting. And you'll learn just where to take position and so on, but it's always fun to explore new ground.

[thmyorke1]

How was casting?, i haven't tried a fly rod in brookie creeks yet since all the ones ive been to are overgrown with fly-stealing branches growing over the stream

[Bruce Litton]

I experienced some difficulties, but one stretch allowed me longer casts and I felt very pleased with the accuracy I got. I don't have a whole lot of fly fishing experience, but enough to evaluate when I'm doing better. Even at the more difficult spots, I really had no complaints, although I lost that brookie because I didn't set the hook well. A little too much slack a moment after the ant hit the water.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Bruce Litton

I experienced some difficulties, but one stretch allowed me longer casts and I felt very pleased with the accuracy I got. I don't have a whole lot of fly fishing experience, but enough to evaluate when I'm doing better. Even at the more difficult spots, I really had no complaints, although I lost that brookie because I didn't set the hook well. A little too much slack a moment after the ant hit the water.

Thanks, yea one reason id like to try it with the fly outfit is to utilize dry flies and get topwater action. Something ibe yet to accomplish with trout

[AndyS]

I think anytime anyone catches native Brook Trout they should let the people over at NJDFW know. Not sure if it's true or not but the proof we have a native reproducing Brook Trout has halted development in some areas.

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/contactform.htm

[Bruce Litton]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

Thanks, yea one reason id like to try it with the fly outfit is to utilize dry flies and get topwater action. Something ibe yet to accomplish with trout

It can be a lot of fun. Not too many years ago, I had the privilege of fly fishing club waters. I nailed big tiger trout, big rainbows, by stripping a Muddler Minnow at the surface. Tremendous strikes. I also caught some on a caddis dry fly. Pretty hard-hitting splash rises. Have had some dry fly action in the little brooks, too, but not much.

[Bruce Litton]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I think anytime anyone catches native Brook Trout they should let the people over at NJDFW know. Not sure if it's true or not but the proof we have a native reproducing Brook Trout has halted development in some areas.

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/contactform.htm

Thanks Andy, I let them know. It's also good to know the link is on this comment trail for future reference.