Brook Trout!!!

What's on the iPod right now: Guns 'n Roses- Rocket Queen

I was inspired to write this entry because this weekend I fulfilled one of the things on a mental list I have of things I want to do before I die.  It was one of the more mundane things but still something I was determined to do nonetheless.  I caught a native Smoky Mountain Brook Trout.  I caught a few actually. "One of his greatest desires is to catch a fish?" you ask.  It's much more than casting a line into the local lake.  

Smoky Mountain Brook trout were on the brink of extinction as little as ten years ago; a casualty of commercial logging.  An agressive campaign to restore them to the Smoky mountain streams by the National Park Service has them thriving once again.  A fish that was prohibited to be caught just a few short years ago now has a limit of five on it which means you can take up to 5 home with you.  I catch and release, but the comeback of the species is remarkable.

Getting to the fish is an adventure in itself, and one of the main reasons why fishing for them has always appealed to me.  They live in the upper reaches of the streams of the Smokies so hiking up steep trails and through moderately dense woodland areas is required.  My friend Ward and I hired a guide and he lead us in our waders and vests with flyrods in tow about a mile from the roadway through thickets and trees to his "money hole."  I was skeptical as I wiped sweat from my brow about this "money hole" until suddenly the forest opened up and we found ourselves on the edge of a moderately swift stream.  Soon we were in the water and making our way slowly upstream, watching and casting. 

Me and Ward had a $10 bet as to who would catch the first fish.   About 30 minutes in, I was 10 bucks richer!  I saw a fish break the surface and gulp a bug about five or six feet down from overhanging branches.  Our guide Steve told me to try and land my fly forward of the branches and have it float under them and out to where the trout was feeding.  I made the cast perfectly and waited.  When my fly was almost exactly where I saw the fish break moments earlier, he devoured it!  He was a little guy but put up a surprising fight.  After I landed him I was taken aback at how beautiful it was.  A bright orange belly, black spots highlighted with blues and pinks.  Absolutely gorgeous!  Ward high-fived me and handed me a 10 spot.  I bought us a beer with it later.

Usually I don't post this long of an entry but I just had to write (or type) this particular experience somewhere.  It was one of the funnest days of my life.  So if you took the time to read it- I thank you.

Now what's on the iPod: Led Zeppelin- Rock 'n Roll