The stream sure looked like it should hold trout. The water was clear and cold. Pools and boulders provided ample holding water. Some of the pools were over 6 feet deep. The stream was surrounded by forest, but this was not always the case.

The forests of Connecticut have been cleared twice during the last few hundred years. Evidence of old farms is scattered throughout the woods. We walked through a network of stone walls and old building foundations, skeletons of early America.

It is hard to picture the buildings that stood here over 200 years ago. It is even harder to comprehend the timeline of the brook trout. For thousands upon thousands of years, brook trout have thrived here. It is scary how quickly we extirpated the brook trout from watersheds up and down the eastern seaboard.

Fortunately, brook trout still find refuge in small streams. Just moments after the electrofishing probes touched the water, we learned that Kirt’s little creek is one such place.

Humans, particularly anglers, find brook trout aesthetically pleasing. Just seeing one is sure to brighten your mood for the day, or even the entire week. The knowledge that these fish are good indicators of clean water and an intact ecosystem makes each sighting more exciting. We all live downstream.

Trout Unlimited and numerous government and non-profit partners have undertaken the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture in 17 states, including Connecticut. The Venture aims to identify the current status of the brookie as well as the threats to remaining populations. This information will provide a foundation of knowledge for preservation and restoration efforts. To learn more, click HERE.

If brook trout bring a smile to your face, take a look at my photos by clicking HERE.

Fishing the Housatonic
After our morning chasing brook trout, Kirt and I headed downstream to the Housatonic. One of the most famous fisheries in Southern New England, the Housy is a great place to catch a few trout and meet new fishing buddies.

We arrived to find scattered risers slurping small mayfly emergers. We also ran into Len, an active TUer affiliated with Danbury’s Candlewood Valley Chapter. Len left us with the proper ammunition for the day, a small snowshoe hare emerger that worked wonders on the brown trout.

I left the Housatonic for Newtown, CT, where I met with other members of the Candlewood Valley Chapter and toured their tremendous restoration efforts. Keep checking back regularly! I’ll write about these projects soon.

If you haven’t already, please take a look at these PHOTOS.