It is true. The big wild brook trout have eluded me for so long. Infact, I have been an avid follower of these fish since I had met Jeremy.Jeremy and I drove miles into The Great North Woods and were only targeting one thing, “a large brook trout.” I thought about all the great salmon that have been caught this year by the both of us and said to myself, “those salmon are nice, but what I really need is a big brookie before this season comes to an end.” Whenever I go freshwater fly fishing, there has always been a little something in the back of my mind saying “a big brookie would be sweet.”So, Jeremy and I arrived at the river. The water was high and made the crossings a little hairy. All of the sudden Bang! My face slams into the water. “Not the best start to a day,” I said to myself. Jeremy and I made our way to where Jeremy said the fish were going to be. I laid down the sinking line and conehead wooly bugger across the channel. As the line moved down river, I started a slow retrieve then BAM! A nice salmon comes clear out of the water multiple times. Even though this salmon was big and fresh, and I knew it was one of my best salmon this year, all my thoughts were linked back to the brook trout. Jeremy and I approached the run in different ways by changing flies, changing positions, and switching up retrieves and only caught salmon. Where are the brookies? I reeled up all my line and I think that both jeremy and I were getting tired of the spot. I turn around and see jeremy waist deep in the water holding a busted rod in the air. We are down to one rod and it’s time for another river crossing. We got to the other side and Jeremy whispers “I think I saw a few guys pick up a few over there last time on nymphs.” Jeremy and I rig up 2 copper johns and an indicater and we are soon fishing an all time favorite method. I watched Jeremy fish downstream with the and saw a flash of red under the tip of his fly rod. Soon enough, Jeremy had caught the first big brookie of the day. After that fish, we can no longer catch anything on nymphs, so we go the distance to from a floating back to a sinking line and tie on a wooly bugger. I’m up! I made a short cast somewhat upstream. I start a slow but steady retrieve and I am in shock. My line goes tight fast, and then starts tearing into the current. Now I’m nervous, It’s the biggest brookie I’ve had on in a long time! What should I do? So, after alot of tug o’ war I start reeling in. I get off of the giant rock and jeremy verifies that the fish is infact a brookie and not a chub. “Dude it’s not heartbreak hotel, its a giant brookie!” Wait a minute, it’s not just the biggest brookie of my lifetime, it is the biggest brookie I have ever seen! I slowly but steadily walk the fish back to the bank. My heart is racing and I know that it only takes one little thing to loose the fish of a lifetime. Before I know it, jeremy is holding my fish with a huge smile on his face. “Here you go A-town, you got what you came for,” he says. I am amazed by the strengh, power, and mezmorizing beauty of the fish. We get some quick shots, and unlike so many other great brook trout that are caught in Maine the fish swam off and is not hanging on some wall. On the walk back to the car I said, “you know i’m gonna be looking at that photo all the way home.” Jeremy nodded his head and said “Me too.”
WOW!
Congrats Austin! That is one beautiful monster Brookie you landed. I dream about Brook trout like that daily. And Maine is always what I think of when it happens. You guys are definitely lucky to have some of the best brook trout waters that remain is the United States. And that fish right there is proof positive. Great work.
Thats the best looking Brook trout I’ve seen. No need to go to Labrador for you. Great fish my friend.
Way to go Fisherboy! Just a perfect specimin. That is the squaretail of a LIFETIME! I’m sure some men have fished that river their whole lives and never yeilded those results. Nice bird doging J-Bone
That is one sweet brookie! Wow, Maine really has many gems. For us out of staters it’s great to see the fish that Maine produces.
Lucky dog! I caught a 12 inch the other day and that was big for CT. Nice going.
wrh – even for us in-staters its great to see the fish that maine produces … although, i personally, am not involved with any of the politics and regulations and all that stuff … i NEVER underestimate the value of the people who are …
In maine, i know that there are lots of people out there who are passionatly dedicated to protecting and preserving our natural resources. hence, we have have many rivers (not just sections of rivers) but entire bodies of water thatare FLY FISHING ONLY and catch and release …
i am merely a fly fisherman who pays for his license and enjoys the sport of fly fishing in maine … but, every time i go fly fishing … i never take for granted our fishery … and i am always grateful for all of the people behind the scenes who dedicate their time and resources to protecting maine’s natural resources that i love so much ….
and – that is why it is great to see the youth of maine (fisherboy) .. enjoying the same resources and respecting them and recognizing how valuable they are … fisherboy is a graduate of maine’s TU trout camp .. where young fly fishers learn about ecology, entimology, fly fishing skills .. but also the importance of preservation and protecting maine’s most valuable asset .. the outdoors.
fisherboy — is certainly a good embassador of the state of maine .. and i am sure that throughout his fly fishing days, he will be both directly and indirectly responsible for ensuring the sustainablity of our fishery ..
Truly a Brook Trout of a lifetime! Congratulations Austin.
Marsh
Jeremy, It is really amazing when one travels around to see how different states protect or not their resources. It sound like Maine is way ahead of the curve. I have lived as a legal resident in two states, MA and NY. These two have a lot of be desired when it comes to protecting and managing resources in my opinion. They both have a put and take mentality for teh most part. yet I am glad of what is available. In Ny the steelhead and the big D and it’s tribs, but elsewhere it is limited for what I prefer. When I used to fish CT alot, I was impressed with how they managed the flows on the Housatonic and how they had lots of holdover fish in both the Housatonic and Farmington. MA has limited holdovers in many rivers and the flows of the dam released rivers in some rivers are at times dangerous. NY has the same put and take with few Fly fishing only areas. NY is doing some good work with preserving the brook trout in the ADK ponds and lakes, but that seems to be the focus not the rivers. Ak where I guided had several catch and release rivers that were very remote but this was due to the lodges lobbying for this since they fish them so much more than the locals or anyone else for that matter. I guess that leaves one to either complain or get off ones fanny and do something about it. With my limited time I prefer to just fish so I guess thats my choice, but I do belong to groups that advocate ie TU. I just wish the mentality of NY, MA and others had the foresight and planning that Maine seems to have. It would make better fishing and better ecosystems for all to enjoy. I guess I’m off my soapbox now.
Great loking fish Austin.. I was truly shocked when I opened up the home page this morning.
Hi everyone
Thanks for all the compliments. I was so nervous when that fish took my fly, surely an experience I will never forget!!
Thanks again
Austin
Sweet, A fine fish and a great story
Holy Cow!
That brookie took a one way wooly bugger to A-Town!
Nicely done!
Great fish with stunning colors, I guess you can not call that a brookie anymore.
That fish is what the old timers called a Squaretail.
That is a beautiful fish Austin. Many will fish a lifetime and not accomplish what you have. You are quite a young man, your dedication and passion for fly fishing is inspiring. Thanks for sharing your success.
My hearty congratulations…What a beautiful fish!!
And you released it…Atta boy!! The fish gods are shining on you.
You will remember this for the rest of your life.
grayghost
Outstanding brookie! I hooked my best one this year as well. It’s a grat feeling.Nice job!!!
Nice job!!! What a great feeling!!! I hooked my biggest brookie this year as well. Not as big as that one though.
Hats off to you! What a fine fish. This is what it is all about. I will second Joey. I opened up the page and said……… well you know. Followed by almost passing out. Nice work! Congratulations!
holy brook truot! Now that’s a fish great job !!
Austin,
Great fish. What part of the river were you fishing?
Tim