Brook Charms

[Esox]

Caught a couple dozen of these up in the Shenandoah National Park today. The biggest one was seven inches. A decent fish in those hills. Foot long Brookies in the park are pretty much unheard of.

[revolution.kirk]

Beautiful fish indeed! Even though they don't get large, small stream brookie fishing is great.

By the way, what state is Shenandoah National Park in?

[Esox]

Shenandoah National Park is in Virginia. It is over 200,000 acres and has more than ninty trout streams, thirty of which are managed. I have caught an 11 1/2 inch Brook Trout in the park. There are a lot of skeptics even for that size fish. I know of a few in the 12-13 inch range that have been caught, but that is the limit. If you catch one that size you better take its picture with a ruler by its side. It is hard to believe that in eastern Canada they have been caught up to 14 pounds.

[revolution.kirk]

here is another pretty brookie from a small wisconsin stream..

[revolution.kirk]

While were on the topic... What are your favorite brook trout flies?

Mine would have to be the "bucktail caddis" (I’m fairly certain that is what it is called) size 12 or 14, and size 10 wollybugger tied with peacock herl instead of black chenille. The small stream brook trout that I have fished don't seem to be particular about the fly (or how big it is) , just as long as it is buggy and presented correctly.(which can be difficult with tag alder on all sides!). One of the main reasons I like the fly is because it floats extremely well even after it has been demolished by dozens of small brookies.

I got the "bucktail caddis" pattern from this book, which I don't have on hand.. but I think I can remember the recipe.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811716015/sr=8-1/qid=1152891940/ref=sr_1_1/102-8089094-9972135?ie=UTF8


Bucktail Caddis

Hook: 10-16 dry fly
Thread - black 6/0
Tail - Natural deer hair- a fairly large clump, not tied right on top of the hook but around hook.
Hackle - Brown - palmered over body.
Body - orange or tan dubbing
Wing - Natural deer hair tied in like a bucktail streamer (mickey fin, longnose dace), not Elk Hair Caddis style.