07-17-2007, 12:10 AM
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S WILD BROOK TROUT -- AN OVERLOOKED RESOURCE!
By John Viar, Fisheries Biologist, Lakes Region
On a hot and hazy summer day, what could be more refreshing than putting on an old pair of sneakers or hiking boots and wading scenic brooks in search of gems -- in this case crimson gems, wild brook trout. While most are relatively small, 4-8 inches, you will be hard pressed to find fish with a more striking appearance, not to mention their appeal when cooked over a campfire.
To specifically name the small streams (many are actually unnamed) inhabited by these gems is sure to draw a crowd, so I will leave some of the exploration to you, which can actually be half the fun! I will recommend what to look for -- on a topo/contour map, look for the headwater (source) areas of streams. Some may be found near roads, others require a walk or wade in (usually the better ones for obvious reasons -- less fishing pressure). Especially in the heat of summer, bring a thermometer, and look for waters less than 70 degrees; a reading of 65 degrees or lower is even better. Brook trout need cold water to survive, and although they can be found in warmer waters, they will typically be in survival mode "sitting" on springs.Â
On a contour map, areas with steep gradients generally have more pools, which are where brookies love to be since pools provide relief from strong currents, are areas where food collects, and the deeper water provides cover. Many times, larger brookies will be found in the "best" pools, and they will vigorously defend a prime spot/feeding station from other brookies. However, don't neglect flatter stretches with cover such as logs, overhanging banks, and mid-stream boulders. If you find a recently built beaver pond, with a cold inlet and/or springs, prepare for brook trout heaven -- these ponds harbor large brookies (sometimes 10-12 inches) since much more food is available in such habitat. Many of these waters are too small to fish with a fly rod in the classical sense, but sometimes you can "dabble" or slip a fly downstream. A short, ultralight, spinning rod with the old reliable garden hackle (worm) and spinner combo is very effective in these settings. Brook trout are not very picky, but like any trout, they are easily spooked; stalking them along the banks by remaining low and crawling or kneeling up to a pool is required in small brooks.
If you are looking for a way to cool off, get away from the crowd, see waterfalls and scenery which only few have, and catch what many consider New Hampshire's most beautiful and tasty fish (in fact, brook trout are New Hampshire's official State Fish), explore one of our most overlooked resources -- wild brook trout.
For more information contact: John A. Viar, Fisheries Biologist I, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Region 2 Office; phone (603) 744-5470; email jviar@nhfgd.org.
"ROCK SNOT" DISCOVERED IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER
In last week's Fishing Report we alerted you to an invasive species called "rock snot" that could threaten New Hampshire's waterways. Just a day later, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources confirmed that the aquatic nuisance algae known commonly as "didymo" or "rock snot" has invaded the northern reaches of the Connecticut River, marking the first official report of Didymosphenia geminata in the northeastern U.S.
This disturbing report adds to concerns from other parts of the U.S., Canada and New Zealand where this "diatom" species, which affects freshwater rivers and streams, is occurring. Even "pristine" reaches are not safe from didymo. Once we know more about the Connecticut River situation and its potential impact on important aquatic habitats, we will include it in the Fishing Report.
Meanwhile, be aware that didymo is on the move and easily spread by even just one cell of the alga breaking off and drifting downstream in infested reaches. It is also very easily spread by waders, fishing gear and other gear that touches the bottoms of streams in infested areas, so it is critical to check and clean your fishing gear to prevent the spread of didymo and protect New Hampshire's waters.
Please be on the lookout for didymo and, if you see it in New Hampshire, contact Amy Smagula at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services at<br />
603-271-2248 or email asmagula@des.state.nh.us.Â
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an excellent website on didymo; visit http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/didymosphenia.
REMINDER FOR WINNIPESAUKEE BASS ANGLERS
N.H. Fish and Game continues to count on help from anglers for this study of the movement of largemouth and smallmouth bass after bass tournament release. Bass are being tagged upon release from tournament weigh-ins at Ames Farm Inn on Lake Winnipesaukee, identified with a numbered yellow tag at the base of the fish's dorsal fin.Â
Regular updates of tagging and recapture for the Lake Winnipesaukee tagged bass study are now being posted at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/...ement_U<br />
pdates_2007.html
Angler captures of tagged bass are the major source of information for this study, so please pass the word on to all bass anglers to look for tagged bass as they fish the Lake Winnipesaukee. If you catch a tagged bass, please record the following information and relay it to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (use the reporting form you can print from http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/...ement_S<br />
tudy_data_sheet_June07.pdf):
* Tag Number<br />
* Date Of Catch<br />
* Location of Catch (GPS/general location) + Release location (if fish was released)<br />
* Whether fish was kept or released<br />
* Angler contact information (name, phone number)
Tags look like a 2-inch piece of spaghetti and may be covered with algae.<br />
Please DO NOT remove the tag from fish that are to be released. If you have information on tagged bass or questions or concerns about the study, please contact Gabe Gries, Fish and Game Warmwater Project Leader: Region 4, 15 Ash Brook Court, Keene, NH 03431; phone 603-352-9669; fax 603-352-8798; email ggries@nhfgd.org.
By John Viar, Fisheries Biologist, Lakes Region
On a hot and hazy summer day, what could be more refreshing than putting on an old pair of sneakers or hiking boots and wading scenic brooks in search of gems -- in this case crimson gems, wild brook trout. While most are relatively small, 4-8 inches, you will be hard pressed to find fish with a more striking appearance, not to mention their appeal when cooked over a campfire.
To specifically name the small streams (many are actually unnamed) inhabited by these gems is sure to draw a crowd, so I will leave some of the exploration to you, which can actually be half the fun! I will recommend what to look for -- on a topo/contour map, look for the headwater (source) areas of streams. Some may be found near roads, others require a walk or wade in (usually the better ones for obvious reasons -- less fishing pressure). Especially in the heat of summer, bring a thermometer, and look for waters less than 70 degrees; a reading of 65 degrees or lower is even better. Brook trout need cold water to survive, and although they can be found in warmer waters, they will typically be in survival mode "sitting" on springs.Â
On a contour map, areas with steep gradients generally have more pools, which are where brookies love to be since pools provide relief from strong currents, are areas where food collects, and the deeper water provides cover. Many times, larger brookies will be found in the "best" pools, and they will vigorously defend a prime spot/feeding station from other brookies. However, don't neglect flatter stretches with cover such as logs, overhanging banks, and mid-stream boulders. If you find a recently built beaver pond, with a cold inlet and/or springs, prepare for brook trout heaven -- these ponds harbor large brookies (sometimes 10-12 inches) since much more food is available in such habitat. Many of these waters are too small to fish with a fly rod in the classical sense, but sometimes you can "dabble" or slip a fly downstream. A short, ultralight, spinning rod with the old reliable garden hackle (worm) and spinner combo is very effective in these settings. Brook trout are not very picky, but like any trout, they are easily spooked; stalking them along the banks by remaining low and crawling or kneeling up to a pool is required in small brooks.
If you are looking for a way to cool off, get away from the crowd, see waterfalls and scenery which only few have, and catch what many consider New Hampshire's most beautiful and tasty fish (in fact, brook trout are New Hampshire's official State Fish), explore one of our most overlooked resources -- wild brook trout.
For more information contact: John A. Viar, Fisheries Biologist I, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Region 2 Office; phone (603) 744-5470; email jviar@nhfgd.org.
"ROCK SNOT" DISCOVERED IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER
In last week's Fishing Report we alerted you to an invasive species called "rock snot" that could threaten New Hampshire's waterways. Just a day later, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources confirmed that the aquatic nuisance algae known commonly as "didymo" or "rock snot" has invaded the northern reaches of the Connecticut River, marking the first official report of Didymosphenia geminata in the northeastern U.S.
This disturbing report adds to concerns from other parts of the U.S., Canada and New Zealand where this "diatom" species, which affects freshwater rivers and streams, is occurring. Even "pristine" reaches are not safe from didymo. Once we know more about the Connecticut River situation and its potential impact on important aquatic habitats, we will include it in the Fishing Report.
Meanwhile, be aware that didymo is on the move and easily spread by even just one cell of the alga breaking off and drifting downstream in infested reaches. It is also very easily spread by waders, fishing gear and other gear that touches the bottoms of streams in infested areas, so it is critical to check and clean your fishing gear to prevent the spread of didymo and protect New Hampshire's waters.
Please be on the lookout for didymo and, if you see it in New Hampshire, contact Amy Smagula at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services at<br />
603-271-2248 or email asmagula@des.state.nh.us.Â
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an excellent website on didymo; visit http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/didymosphenia.
REMINDER FOR WINNIPESAUKEE BASS ANGLERS
N.H. Fish and Game continues to count on help from anglers for this study of the movement of largemouth and smallmouth bass after bass tournament release. Bass are being tagged upon release from tournament weigh-ins at Ames Farm Inn on Lake Winnipesaukee, identified with a numbered yellow tag at the base of the fish's dorsal fin.Â
Regular updates of tagging and recapture for the Lake Winnipesaukee tagged bass study are now being posted at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/...ement_U<br />
pdates_2007.html
Angler captures of tagged bass are the major source of information for this study, so please pass the word on to all bass anglers to look for tagged bass as they fish the Lake Winnipesaukee. If you catch a tagged bass, please record the following information and relay it to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (use the reporting form you can print from http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/...ement_S<br />
tudy_data_sheet_June07.pdf):
* Tag Number<br />
* Date Of Catch<br />
* Location of Catch (GPS/general location) + Release location (if fish was released)<br />
* Whether fish was kept or released<br />
* Angler contact information (name, phone number)
Tags look like a 2-inch piece of spaghetti and may be covered with algae.<br />
Please DO NOT remove the tag from fish that are to be released. If you have information on tagged bass or questions or concerns about the study, please contact Gabe Gries, Fish and Game Warmwater Project Leader: Region 4, 15 Ash Brook Court, Keene, NH 03431; phone 603-352-9669; fax 603-352-8798; email ggries@nhfgd.org.