Last night I went brook trout fishing in a small creek near our house. Sorry fisherman I'll have to leave this little creek a secret, because I think it's a real gem. Also, great coldwater fisheries have been disappearing in southern Ontario rather rapidly over the last few decades and I'd hate to spread the word around the internet and have another sensitive creek bombarded with fishermen. The creek is situated in a wetland environment, complete with lots of dark organic soil, very tall reeds, a beaver dam and cold deep water for the trout. I had attempted to fish the creek a few weeks ago, but had little success due to a shortage of dew worms. Last night I was able to bring some fresh worms and catch a few brookies from the creek. The largest was just over 10 inches from my rough estimation. I kept that one for a pan fry because it had completely swallowed the small barbless hook I was using and would'nt have survived a catch and release attempt. Fishing is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature, but I struggle with the impact I might have fishing in such a sensitive creek environment. I'll have to remember to tread lightly on the earth. Bass season begins Saturday and then I can begin fishing in the Grand River, a much larger and less sensitive aquatic environment. I found a picture on the internet of a small brookie that looks similar to ones that I caught last night - check it out below.
