Summer TIMES for brookies

[Hookerman]

With the hot, dry weather of August upon us most wild trout fishing is done until autumn unless, you live near a limestone stream or one influenced by that kind of mineral deposit. However, unknown to most, during this time, fishing immediately after a heavy summer downpour can produce excellent results in freestone streams for wild brook trout, at least for a brief period.

Not all precipitation events are substantial enough to raise stream levels and increase the amount of dissolved oxygen required to get trout feeding but often, many are. For the most part these are localized downpours that require one to watch approaching storms on radar via the internet and - when/where available - stream gauges for flow after an event has passed.

A concern (and it should be) is water temperature – if your engaged in catch-n-release. In many cases this is not an issue with very small streams for, though the water is lower, so is its temperature. Often these rills run in the low 60’s and even with the additional volume from post thunderstorm runoff (excluding impervious surfaces) they tend to not exceed 70F. Some say this is too high and cite the buildup of lactic acids ect. when a fish struggles against an angler in this scenario and, their point is valid but, not necessarily a death sentence as other variables not considered by those unfamiliar with biology also come into play. Things such as a fish’s metabolism, it’s rise and fall and thermal refuges unknown to humans are also factors and they have been a part of the equation long before H. Sapiens pursued S. Fontinalis.

When flyfishing during this situation wet flies with white wings and a red tail seem to produce best. The Orvis bros. knew this and modified an old English fly - the Coachman – into what we know today as the ROYAL coachman. Many have theories as to why it works so well, with some suggesting it mimics YOY (Young Of Year) brook trout washed out into the main channel where adults can easily eat them. Keeping a few over years and after cutting them open and seeing bellies full of these fry I don’t think it’s something that can be easily discounted. Either way, a fly with these characteristics is a good choice, at least for me.

The usual down-n-across style is effective but a little jig, twitch and/or erratic motion along with covering areas near the very banks (or at/in places that are temporarily submerged) can elicit violent strikes from fish of a size even experienced anglers might guess impossible for such small water.

There are more of these streams, containing more of these fish than most can imagine in NJ. Map the trickles and follow the storms to find them.