Wild Trout Safari No. 2

**Salter** · 07-30-2007, 10:20 AM

A few weeks ago I took the modified Orvis Ultra-lite 5’ 9” 2/2 staggered ferrule 3 weight taper that was built for me this spring for its christening. I matched the rod to a little CFO 1-2-3, which seems appropriate given the origins of the taper. I had lawn cast the rod and liked it; now it was time to put the rod to work.

For the rods baptism I took a long drive to a very special stream that is home to our native Brook Trout, both resident and sea-runs, or Salters has they are referred to in New England.

While hiking in I came across this little Wood Frog, I would have never seen him if he had not jumped. He was about 3 inches long.

I arrived at the stream, put on my hip boots and strung up the rod. At the first pool I knelt down in the cool water at the head and pitched a small Goddard Caddis down stream. Almost as soon as the fly landed, it disappeared in a quick rise.

First trout

This stream runs gin clear, and is loaded with Caddis.

Over the course of the afternoon I caught a number of nice fish, both Salters and resident trout.

The little rod met all of my expectations; side arm casts thru leafy tunnels is what this rod is all about. The trout fought like Tigers on a 3 weight. I have to say the afternoon was one of the most enjoyable I have had fishing in a while.

**AaronJasper** · 07-30-2007, 10:58 AM

I can't believe the camo that the frog had. You can hardly see it. some of those fish are from the sea? I like the rod and reel! I never thought I would say it but small streams are fun. You might never catch a monster... but hey you never know! The fishing can be more fun because usually you encounter no other fisherman and in these times thats a rare occurance in of itself.

**Troutfishing4life** · 07-30-2007, 10:42 PM

very nice looking brookies and that stream looks very nice
how cold was the water

Mike

**Salter** · 08-01-2007, 12:12 PM

Aaron,

None of the photos in the thread are sea-runs, my batteries died halfway thru the day. But here are some photos of Salters that I sampled this spring while working with Mass. Fish & Wildlife.

Here is a little Salter I caught right in the marsh

Water temp was 65. nice and cool.

**Troutfishing4life** · 08-01-2007, 10:54 PM

very nice wild brookies

Mike

**AaronJasper** · 08-02-2007, 01:18 AM

I second that and I like the bamboo rod. I think about getting one of those every now and then. How long was that pale brook trout? Do they ever sample large fish? Are they all naturally reproduced fish or is there some stocking of fingerlings to give it a jump start? They are trying to get a sea run brown trout fishery here in NJ. In the beginning right off the bat they got a none pounder but not many have been caught since.

**Salter** · 08-02-2007, 10:07 AM

Aaron,

The Bigger Salter was 16.5 inches & all the Brookies are wild. Southeast Mass. Fish & Wildlife do not stock hatchery Brook Trout in streams with wild, self sustaining populations of native brook trout TU did a genetic study of Mass Salters a few years ago compairing hatchery fish to Salters sampled from 6 Mass. coastal streams; amazingly none of the Brookies had a genetic link to the hatchery fish. Each stream had its own population of genetically identifiable Salters, so over the course of the last 9,000 years each stream's population evolved it own genetically distinct strain of trout. This is an important breakthrough in regard to preserving these unique trout.

The biggest Brookie from this particular stream that I have heard of was 18 inches & was caught 6 years ago. When Salters first come in from the marine enviorment they have this kind of pale, silvery color; after about 2 weeks the Brookies lose this coloration and revert back to the way a non-migritory is colored.

If you want to chase some BIG sea-run Brown trout fish the Connetquot River, on Long Island in Nov.
big trout in the 4-8 lb. class, some even bigger. Conn. as some sea-run Brown trout streams as well.

Michael

**trout5** · 08-02-2007, 05:38 PM

I have fished for those sea runs in the Connetquot but without success. I have caught some huge fish in there, though I reckon they were from the hatchery. Beautiful rod and reel combo you have there, my friend, and a lovely report. I love a small stream day.