Run-n-gun brookies
by carrying only what you can fit in your pant pockets.
Deadly as the UL spinning rod is, the resurgence of fiberglass fly rods has dramatically increased the fun that can be had while prospecting for stream trout. A 7’ 2wt ‘glass’ rod creates surprisingly fun fishing opportunities under circumstances that might otherwise be considered boring. Simple, buoyant dry flies like the Yellow Sally and Goddard Caddis are virtually all that’s needed when fish are willing to move, and some basic streamer and nymph patterns can be added, rounding out a rustic Altoid tin fly selection. Anglers with an appreciation for finesse will enjoy flipping spinners and skating flies around timber and undercut banks—fly anglers in particular should familiarize themselves with the ‘bow and arrow’ and/or ‘sneak’ cast.
Terms like “hidden gem” and “spot-hopping” may give this away, but my approach to ditch-hopping involves much moving around. Ditch-hopping can be passive or active, and is made possible by always keeping a rod and some basic gear in your car—prospective trout streams tend to pop up during all types of travel, especially to higher elevations. Background research and a good local tip can provide good initial leads, and you can organize your explorations by constantly working outward from your best clue at a given time.
After you’ve identified a sure-fire starting point—by a reliable first-person account, finding premium habitat, or actually catching a trout—you can explore outward by checking peripheral spots within an incrementally wider perimeter. Water temperature is an important variable to consider in your search for trout habitat, and relates closely to elevation. If you have access to a topographic map, you can identify other stream areas that may contain brook trout by following a contour line which intersects prime trout water in another location. When conditions are favourable, a good presentation is often rewarded quickly, as small stream trout are rarely in a position to pass up a potential meal. If the presence of trout isn’t evident, move quickly to the next promising spot—this is where the run-ngun philosophy comes into play.
The best anglers from every generation have been persistent in their efforts, and disciplined in their record-keeping. Take pride in the growth and sophistication of your angling database! Your return to a brook trout stream that is all but unknown outside of your private records will provide ample validation for your efforts.